Chapter Thirteen: The Dance of Snake and Crane

Annoying morning light crept through the fine fibers of his feathery wing. Background chatter form busy people meandered in the humid air. Flamingo-like in stance, Crane tightened his wing around his head. On a single leg he stood, balancing autonomously. He didn't want to wake yet. Crane grunted and nestled further into his appendage, cushioning his head in the softness.

Far off in the distance, barely audible in his half-dream state, a large bell rang. Lifting his head, he focused on the gonging peel. His room appeared blurry behind his jaded eyes. Awakened, he snapped his eyes open and reset his legs on the creaky wood floor.

Oh no, I'm going to be late for training!

Quick as a whirlwind, he flung his door open and dashed into the hallway.

"GOOD MORNING MASTER!" he said, in unison with the members of the Furious Five. Like every morning, they awoke to the tolling of the palace bell, ready for training. Crane stood at attention, awaiting Master Shifu's daily plan-of-action. Something wasn't right though. Where was Shifu? And something was off about the size of this hallway…

"Wait, what just happened?" Viper said across from him.

Crane suddenly realized they weren't in the Jade Palace barracks at all. No, he remembered, they were all staying in Gongmen City.

Viper chuckled with the same realization.

"Ha! I guess we all heard that bell… uhh," the snake said with wide eyes. When she caught Crane's, she looked away and hid her face behind her tail.

"Wow, Crane. Trying out a new look?" Mantis said from down the hall. "Huehuehuehue."

Tigress looked Crane down, sighed, and returned to her room.

Bashful, Crane inspected his body, and discerned the source of their chagrin. He had forgotten to get dressed.

"Eep!" he yelped. He raced through his door, face burning under his feathers. Shutting the door with a crack, he panted and leaned against it.

Crap!

He was intensely grateful that, as a bird, he lacked any… 'visible adornments.' Nonetheless, he melted to the floor with embarrassment.

"Auh…" he said, hiding his face in his large, fluffy wings.


Even the early autumn months brought a latent heat to Gongmen City. Coastal climates weren't Crane's favorite—he preferred the Valley's temperate mountains—but the varied temperature gradients made for some great flying. It was a foggy morning on the ground, and the city still lay in a veil of cotton. Up here, though, the sky was clear, and Crane's mind shared in that clarity. Clarity like this was missed by him over the last few days. A good night's rest (followed by a less-than-ideal awakening) facilitated his sobriety. Though, with that lucidity came the unfiltered truth: a truth Crane could no longer ignore.

Lord Shen was alive, and in his own personal care. Such a massive truth, yet the lie covering it was even larger. Crane decided to make Lord Shen his priority while in Gongmen City. He would make this right. Somehow.

His flight brought him to the edge of the city limits. Crooked checkerboards of farms and orchards decked the fickle soil. He watched the good ducks and rabbits tend to their crops. Smiling sadly, he felt hopeful, glad to witness them work. He fought so they wouldn't have to. Their small bodies sped beneath him, content for now, until the next criminal came along to terrorize them. With Lord Shen so fresh in the city-folk's minds, they deserved a respite. Crane shivered uncomfortably, and focused on flying.

Picking up speed, Crane pushed himself, making an exercise of the journey. Pouring strength into his biceps, he cut the warm air, and focused on efficiency. Each flap required precise coordination, each muscle movement tuned with the air's density. Taking an upward climb, Crane bolted through a cold cloud, breathing sharply as he maximized air intake through his lungs. Icy crystals smelled like frozen lightning. Escaping the cloud with a misty trail, he extended his legs behind himself, and dove like a kingfisher.

Gravity tugged at him, relentless as he reduced his body's drag. He left the cloud in an instant, using his hat to shield his eyes from the condensation. The archway that held Lord Shen approached with a maddening haste. Practiced, Crane altered the camber of his wings and gradually stilled the dive. Tiny contrails spiraled from his wingtips as he made circles around the octagon-shaped building. He wondered how many passes he could make before flapping. Minutes of gliding later, he met the ground—rough stones abraded his calloused toes.

Around the high landing zone, the carved lanterns looked more inviting in the dawn light. He took note of the staircase that led from the archway: many wingspans to flat ground. No easy journey for one as old as the Soothsayer. Perhaps her relinquishing Lord Shen was nothing but a health concern. Even if, Crane still had many a grievance with her. Stepping forward, his foot caught on soggy fabric buried in the dried mud. He recognized it as the sail from Lord Shen's boat, the same one he had carried the peacock with. Uneasy, he kept walking and flicked the dirt from his foot.

Pausing with his wing on the door, he caught his breath, and entered.

Inside, Lord Shen sat awake, looking outside through a gap in the paper walls. Crane wondered if the peacock had seen him flying around the building. At Crane's entrance, Lord Shen swiveled his bandaged white head, then lethargically looked away. An uncomfortable chill racked Crane's light body, and he readjusted his wings to dispel it. The sight of the injured Lord still filled him with a combination of dread, and sadness.

To his dismay, the medicinal broth he had left for Lord Shen remained unconsumed. He supposed it was too much to ask the wounded peacock to drink it himself—a situation he had foolishly hoped for.

"Hi," he said after a pause, "told you I'd be back."

Like before, Lord Shen did not so much as blink. It was unsettling how he faced away, seemingly indifferent to his situation.

Not sure where to start, Crane made his way to the Soothsayer's supplies. Only smoldering coals remained under her cauldron of medicine. Crane stoked it back to life, and stirred the pot, watching himself in the tumultuous liquid. He found his heavy-browed reflection depressing.

With a fresh bowl, he made his way back to Lord Shen, surprised to find his fear almost gone. Like this, Lord Shen was as threatening as one of those bunny farmers. It felt terrible to see even him like this. Crane proffered the bowl with both wings.

"Here. You have to drink." Lord Shen didn't react. Crane retracted the bowl.

"Please?" Shen simply studied the wall with his one unbandaged eye.

"Don't you want to live?" Crane said, ready to give up. Shen made a dry swallow, and turned further.

"Well… I want you to live." Crane said. It was a strange thing to say, but in all reality, it was the truth.

Crane backed away, then spied Lord Shen moving. Looking again, Lord Shen was now facing him, with a peculiar expression on his face. Not one to stare long, the Lord shut his eye and leaned his head back. His stout grey beak opened like a chick awaiting a mother.

At first, Crane faltered. It was such an uninvited sight to see Lord Shen like that. But something instinctual stirred within Crane, and he was bidden to help the injured peacock.

Delicately, he braced the bird's beak with one wing to still it, and administered the medicine. Shen drank without issue, eye shut. After a few supremely strange moments, and after all of the liquid was drained, Crane lifted the bowl and set it on the crate. He folded his wings behind his back, and just sort of… stood there. He felt so weird, having done that.

Lord Shen flashed him a sidelong glance, but then resumed his study of the wall.


Crane flew back to Gongmen City. Any thoughts he had were dulled and mushed together, like that red canvas sail half-buried in the mud. A weird and new collection of emotions caught in his breast; chief of all, relief. He was glad that Lord Shen seemed to be alright—but that gladness made him feel even more confused.

Before long, he reentered the city limits, finding the fog had all but disappeared. The city gained an unknown familiarity as Crane gazed upon it. Acquainted as it was, it was still very new and uncertain. How anyone got comfortable in a place so big and mysterious, he hadn't a clue. He did his best to survey the city, but his recent encounter occupied most of his thought.

Time crept onward, and midday arrived. Crane continued to circle the city in a quiet repose. He scanned the ground without really seeing anything, following his preordained path. His eyes alighted on the ruins of the Tower of the Sacred Flame, and he had to look away. Focusing on the wind in his feathers, he calmed down enough to shake his fragmented feelings. This was his path now, and it wasn't going to change, so he might as well accept it.

Finally resolved, he took stock of his duties. Master Shifu had left him on watch, so all he really had to do was fly around and look for disturbances. He noticed he was kind of hungry, and then—

Viper! he remembered he had promised to meet her for lunch. Hopefully he wasn't too late. Wind in his wings, he flew towards the city center, searching for the cul-de-sac of food vendors. Feet fist, he landed, and stumbled, not expecting the hard of ground so soon. Around him townspeople murmured, but he felt safer now under his hat. Sure he was in the right place, he approached the tofu bun stand, but saw no sign of Viper.

"Thought you might not make it—hey!"

Crane whipped a blast of wind toward the voice, who turned out to be Viper. The gust caused her to slip back a few feathers-lengths.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry," Crane said, stepping toward her on delicate toes.

"No, it's my fault," Viper said, "I meant to frighten you. It's just that, well, you're cute when you're scared."

"Oh." Crane drooped his beak, uncomfortable.

"Right, jumpy." Viper said, "anyway, I hope you're okay after what happened this morning."

"What? Why wouldn't I be okay? I'm fine, I promise, nothing's wrong, nothing at all," he stammered, panicking. Had she known where he had gone?

"Really, it's okay," Viper chuckled, eying him suspiciously, "I never wear clothes."

"Ohh," Crane said, now realizing what she meant.

"Yeah. That was interesting. Uh, sorry." He cringed at the memory of his naked mishap.

"Just remember that I don't see you any different, no matter what you're wearing."

"Huh. Thanks," he said, eager to change the subject.

"So, how about those tattoos? You never told us where you got them."

Viper contorted her body to look at the inky designs.

"Right, these." She said, "here. Let's get some food first."

Crane obliged, and they procured a collection of goodies from the street vendors. The Gongmen sun's bright beams cascaded over stone and plaster walls, casting deep shadows in their recesses. Viper and Crane rested amongst one of the many vacant awnings, enjoying their meal, and each other's company. Proximal city rabble added to the calming atmosphere of the midday respite.

"I don't like to talk about it," Viper said between bites, "but do you remember my mission to Wo Chi Gao dungeon?"

"Mhmm." Crane did. It was a solo mission: just her. A long one at that; she returned two months later, a little shaken, and with bold black tattoos now adorning her scaly green back.

"I got it then. A snake gave it to me. He was…" she trailed off, a distant look in her eyes.

Crane listened closely, curious.

"That's all I want to say about it. Some secrets are best kept, hmm?"

Dissatisfied with her story, Crane frowned, but he was unwilling to push. She was right. Some secrets were best kept.

"I think they look really nice. They suit you." Crane said, giving her a grin. Viper smiled back, then lashed her tail toward the last dumpling. She tried to snatch it away, but Crane was ready this time, and blocked her tail with a foot.

"Oh, so that's how it is?" Viper said, readying her stance. Crane crouched and playfully beckoned with his feathers, guarding the precious bun. It had been a while since they had sparred. This would be fun.

Viper struck low first. She knew that Crane's legs were his weak point, but Crane anticipated this. He skidded backwards with a gust from his wings, then found himself against a wall. Viper coiled up to strike again. She whipped her tail at his chest with furious speed.

Crane blocked her practice-strike with a wall of feathers from his wing. He jumped up and sprang off the wall, eyes locked on Viper as he somersaulted in the air. When he landed, Viper had already slithered off. Crane used his ears to home her location. Rattling sounds emanated from his right side; the snake was quite loud, actually.

Preemptively lifting a wing to block, he parried a strike from her tail. Flinging her back, he saw he had an opening. Rather than take it, he paced himself, starting a risky move.

"Twist your hips," Crane said softly to himself.

He launched himself toward her with a powerful leg.

"Recoil,"

While extremely strong, the move was clumsy, and any competent warrior would easily block the strike.

"And extend!"

The blow was intercepted by Viper's tail, and she deflected him into the air.

"Nice!" She said, "that's an old one!"

He laughed back at her, hovering in the air.

As he was about to land, Viper motioned to sweep him off his feet. Crane used the opportunity to grab hold of her tail. She took that opportunity to coil around his stilt-like legs. Crane tried to pry her off as she coiled up to his midsection. His soft wings did little to stop her constricting force.

Grunting, Crane measured his breath as Viper squeezed his chest. He might've slammed himself to the ground—a move to crush her, and free himself in the process—but instead he chose something different. Crane stopped fighting, and let her squeeze the last of his breath out. She seemed surprised by this, and stopped, but still held tight. He felt light-headed, but continued with his move.

Slower than snowfall, Crane began a Tai Chi form, focusing all his strength into the creeping movements. This particular form involved slow, stretching lunges, and ended with a full wing extension. If he could perform it just right, he might get enough leverage to free himself. He began it, but after the second lunge, felt too woozy to continue.

He fell over, and tapped Viper's side lightly to signal his resignation. She slithered off of him, relieving him of the constrictive force. Crane took a big breath.

"Interesting strategy," she said, "might've worked."

Crane stood, holding his neck. "Your Snake style is more than a match for me, if you manage to get close enough."

She giggled. "How did you know where I was when I crept up on you?"

"You make a lot of noise when you fight, actually. It's like a rattling sound."

She massaged her throat.

"I can't help it. I hiss when I'm excited. Next time I'll—" Viper cut herself off and looked down an alley.

"Shh. See that?" Crane followed her gaze, and saw nothing but more Gongmen streets.

"I don't…" he said, still a bit winded. Then, a figure in a dark red robe sped by the alley. Crane tensed up and twitched his head in the direction of the movement.

Was that the Scarlet Robe? he thought, ready to make pursuit. Viper was ready too, and they nodded to each other. But then, another robed figure passed by, and a third.

"Hop on," he said, readying his wings for full flight. Viper coiled softly around his neck, and Crane launched skyward.

They sailed above the clay roofs, and followed the alley, quickly discerning the vagabonds' direction. Crane stayed distant for now, as he wanted to see what they were up to.

"Don't drop me," Viper said with reluctant mirth.

"Don't slip," he said, as the three runners grouped in a large intersection. Gongmen peddlers watched, wary behind their textile carts. Three other robed persons joined up from the sidestreets, until they formed a circle. City-goers looked on timidly.

"We should probably check that out," he said.

Crane landed some ways away from the suspicious gathering, and Viper dismounted. Strange chants echoed off Gongmen's ancient stone.

"What are they up to?" Viper asked. There didn't seem to be any real danger. Crane crept closer, curious.

"Metal. Life. Vigor. Sacred Flame," they chanted. Each one swayed in unison. Their intentions didn't seem purely benign.

"Pride. Truth. Blood. Glory," they continued. Each word sped up the cult-like drivel.

"Should we do something?" Crane said, wary. Viper periscoped, trying to get a view into the circle.

"Mortal Realm and Spirit Realm together as one. The Weir awaits, The Vale opens!"

"Vale?" he said, "stop, you there!" Crane leapt into the middle of the circle and opened his wings. From what he saw, they were nothing but pigs, bunnies, goats: common Gongmen city folk. But under their hoods, their eyes glowed yellow.

"Uh oh."

Each of the speakers hissed in unison: "I have seen what you desire!"

Crane recognized the eerie phrase, and the cultists scattered. They peeled off in different directions, disappearing amongst the crowds of people. Murmurs drifted from the shaken onlookers.

"I think those are the missing people!" he said. Viper slithered up to him.

"They're gone," she said with dismay.

A sudden boom echoed from the city center. Following it, a plume of black smoke grew like a mushroom.

"A distraction!" Viper said, darting her head and grunting in anger. "Let's go!"

She hopped on Crane and they flew toward the smoke. It originated from deep within the city center.

"There! Gongmen Jail!" Viper said, shifting around Crane's neck. He spotted the corner building, and saw that she was correct. Wolves poured from the ruined structure in a stream of rushing pelts.

"They're getting away!" he said, and dove for the building. Banking hard, he rushed for ground, landing in a bramble of blasted logs and gunpowder smoke. In the midst, an antelope guard rose on shaky legs, breathing laboriously.

"Are you alright?" Viper said, helping him up.

"Oh, my head," he said. The antelope's eyes widened as he saw the smoldering hole in the building. Bricks and stone jutted out at peculiar angles. Chains draped over the wreckage like cold metal noodles.

"What? What happened?"

"Just relax. What did you see?"

"It was like a dream," he said, bringing a hoof to his head.

"Scarlet Robe," Crane said, readying himself for battle. Figuring it must still be around, he twitched his head every which way, searching for clues. Within the ruined jail, he saw a lone wolf claw his way from the newly-made exit. The wolf wore a strange helmet that covered only the very top of his head. The eye-slits on the helmet were terribly small; scarcely large enough to see out of at all.

"Gah," the wolf said. He was dressed in red and grey, and had whitish fur.

"Kang!" Crane recognized him as the same wolf that gave him trouble yesterday. He pinned the wolf to the rubble with his leg, and sneered. Viper joined him to subdue the struggling canine. Kang grunted, and looked at them with a toothy expression.

"Hehe…" he chuckled anxiously, peering through those tiny eye-slits.

"You'd better run, Baldy!"

"Why—"

A pair of talons jolted into Crane's side. A shockwave blasted him hurtling into the jail's inner concourse. Hanging chains and cages battered him as he was sent backwards into a solid wood beam. It cracked under the force of his momentum. He fell to the floor.

Moaning, he picked himself up between the splinters of wood and jagged stone. His ears rang as his eyes adjusted to the lamplight. His side was terribly bruised, but feeling it confirmed no bones had been broken. Wincing, he rubbed it to dull the pain.

Through swaying, vine-like chains, he saw Kang disappear over the rooftops. On the ground, Viper's face contorted in a focused snarl. Sparkling in the light, a flourishing robe shrouded a relentless onslaught of attacks. Golden eyes glowed from under a brilliant red hood as Viper defended herself against it.

The snake darted and dodged its rapid strikes, always out of reach. Viper's sinuous body was able to bend around any blows. In a show of close-quarters skill, she led each strike harmlessly around her. At a stalemate, the bird-like creature made to evade, but Viper caught hold of a skinny leg, and coiled around the thing. Wings pinned against its body, it screeched: a grating, ugly, metallic sound—almost familiar.

"Crane!" Viper shouted as she squeezed the demon into submission.

"I can't hold it!" It had nearly overpowered her tight embrace.

Crane stumbled forward to help her. But then, between the forest of chains, the demon locked onto him with those viscous, endless, soul-seeing eyes. Crane felt his vision begin to fade… but in a last attempt to keep his sanity, he lowered his head so his hat covered his eyes, which shielded him from the deplorable gaze. Miraculously, his faculties returned, and he was in full control of himself once again.

Breath stabilizing, he tried not to panic, and kept the demon's face out of sight. There was no other option; he had to attack it somehow. Swiftly, he scanned his environment, which left a ghostly afterimage in his mind. Eyes shut, he jumped, and avoided the hanging cages with memory alone. After smacking the splintered ceiling, he clasped his wings and balled up a foot.

Twist your hips.

Crane squeezed his eyelids tight. He intended to kick the creature, but unable to see, he had no idea where to strike. But then, he heard Viper's distinctive rattle.

Recoil.

Assured, he used her hiss to home his target. Bracing, he flapped down hard.

And extend!

His foot graciously met the fabric-encased body of the bird-creature. Viper popped free as the demon was launched back a fair number of wingspans. Growling, it clawed at its right wing. Crane blocked its stare with his hat, sneering back.

"That hurt," it said, holding its wing. Its voice was hoarse and unpleasant, like it had spent the day in a smoke lounge.

"Where is she?" it said. Deceptive calm oozed from its rattling voice.

Crane looked at Viper with confusion.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he said.

The creature sighed, seemingly more disappointed than angry.

"Jiejie." It lifted its robes' wondrously hemmed sleeves, revealing long metal tubes inside. Their mouths were styled as dragons, just like Lord Shen's cannons. Crane narrowed his brow.

"I take it you met my disciples," it said, twisting its head around to try and see under Crane's hat.

"What did you do to those people?" Crane said, planting his stance.

"I took them," it sneered, "the same thing that she did to me."

Viper hissed and tensed up.

"She, The River Witch," it continued, outwardly incredulous.

"Centuries I have endured her torment. Her control. But no longer." It raised its wings triumphantly.

"Now, I am in control. Where is The River Witch."

"I don't even know who that is!" Crane said in desperation. The demon hunched, trying to catch Crane's eye.

"Then who was on that riverbank?"

Crane's blood ran cold with the stark memory of that night.

"You've lost me," he said, blinking and raising his wings higher.

The demon sagged and growled with rage.

"Then I will take you too!"

The robed bird screeched, in the same way a peacock might. Hissing, the barrels of its weapons glowed a sinister orange. Crane had little time to react. He grabbed Viper in his talons, and dashed sideways. Where they had just been, shells of deathly fireworks shot through the hole in the jail, and exploded, like stolen stars. Heat from the blast singed his wingtips, and shards of shrapnel flew threw the air from the prison's cruel chains. The building groaned disconcertingly.

Crane landed and let Viper go. She seemed to be safe from the demon's glare, just like Kang had said.

It only affects men, he thought, bemused by the bizarre power.

He skittered on the debris-strewn cobbles and dug his talons into the stone. With a one wing in front and another behind, he shielded his eyes and panted in the bright Gongmen sun.

The demon readied itself for another volley, perched on a wayward cage. Viper butted up next to Crane, both Masters acute to the danger. But a commotion sounded behind, and The Scarlet Robe looked backwards. Crane saw his fellow Masters enter the courtyard. Each animal posed heroically: stalwart, grand, and dignified. Crane's spirits lifted at the sight.

A final furious grunt mocked the newcomers, and the bird twirled, sending a gyration of fireworks into their midst. Crane dodged the rockets as they exploded near him. Red flashes ignited on all sides. The barrage ceased moments after, and Viper coughed in the smoky aftermath. Crane's eyes stung from the sulfuric fumes. He cleared the smoke with a powerful gust, but The Scarlet Robe had already gone. Only a rising column of smoke betrayed its swift departure.

Crane let his wings hang, taking a moment to rest. Soot laced the pocked cobbles. Slowly, Viper meandered around the rubble to meet at his side.

"You did great back there," she said.

"Not without your help," he said, forcing an unsure smile.

"All those disciples, controlled by the demon," she said, shaking her head. Crane shared in her sorrow.

"What did it mean, about the riverbank?" Viper asked, facing at him curiously. Crane faltered.

"I don't know," he lied. He considered telling her the truth, but no, he couldn't. Some secrets were best kept.

"What happened?" Tigress said, approaching with the other Masters in tow.

"The wolf prisoners, freed," Master Shifu said, kicking a brick.

"We did all we could," Viper said, "I'm glad you showed up."

"You let it get away," Master Ox said with disdain.

Po lumbered up to the gaping cavern that used to be Gongmen Jail.

"Woah…"

Crane shook his confused feelings to explain the situation.

"We found the kidnapped citizens. The Scarlet Robe has control of them. It used them as a distraction to free the wolves."

"Did it get the wolves too?" Po said.

"I don't think so. They were able to resist its power somehow."

"And how did you resist its power, Master Crane?" Shifu said, leaning against his staff with an inquisitive look.

"All I did was hide my eyes from it," he said.

"That's it?" Mantis said. He had to admit, it was an unexpectedly simple solution.

Viper twisted around to speak with them.

"It was looking for someone called 'The River Witch.' Sound familiar?"

"The shadow play," Tigress said, recognition crossing her face.

"Ohh, The River Witch! Jiejie!" Po said, pulling a scroll from his trousers.

"What? It's an interesting read," he said as everyone went silent.

"Where were you keeping that?" Monkey said.

"Doesn't matter," Po said, "point is, The River Witch stopped The Gü Gui—that's The Scarlet Robe's real name—from releasing its demon friends into the world."

"Then the witch can stop it again," Crane said.

"We went over that play a million times," Croc said, "it's all embellishment and fairy tales."

"And how do we find this witch?" Master Ox said, still bitter.

"How do we know it's even real? We have no leads, no plan, and are losing citizens every day."

"Why don't we ask him?" Monkey said, nodding into the open building. Master Mantis looked in from atop Monkey's shoulder.

The prison was in an even more sorry state, having sustained damage in the recent bombardment. Flecks of wood rained from the creaking ceiling. In an undamaged cell, a blue-coated boar flailed behind the bars, batting fire from his sturdy head.

"Ah! Jeez!"

"That's the bandit who tipped me off," Crane said.

"Bandit? That's bit harsh, I only steal what I need," the boar said, flicking the smoke from his hooves.

Master Ox vaulted over the blackened beams and punched the bars.

"Tell us what you know!"

The boar backpedaled and scrunched his shoulders.

"Hey now, I didn't have anything to do with this," he said in a gravely voice.

"Ox, settle down," Master Croc said as the others joined him. Ox puffed.

"Okay, okay, just don't hurt me," the boar said, cowering.

"That thing, was that The Scarlet Robe? Wow, can't believe it's actually real… uh, anyway, I was taking a little nap. Not much else to do in prison, you know. I hear this big boom, so loud, like a firework. Then I see all these wolves running around. They seemed really scared. Scaredy-wolves, hehe."

"Quit messing around, or I'll give you something to be scared of," Master Ox said, pounding the cage.

"Right, right, just hold on, jeez," The boar said, placing his palms forward.

"That demon seemed mad at them, frustrated even, then, it just left. Until you showed up," the boar looked at Crane and Viper.

"I swear. That's all I know."

"Does this look familiar?" Tigress grabbed the scroll from Po's paw and unrolled it for the boar to see.

"I might've seen that before, I don't know. Let me out first. Might jog my memory."

"So you can commit more crimes? I don't think so," Crane said.

"Hah. You Masters really are all the same," the boar said, "never seeing past your own nose."

"You've seen this play before! Who told it to you?" Crane shouted. His patience for the criminal was waning.

The boar narrowed his eyes shrewdly.

"You know, I used to look up to you Masters, until I realized that you're not any better than me. You use your strength and fear to get what you want. But I don't get a fancy title."

"We're nothing like you," Crane said, "you're almost as bad as those wolves."

The boar grunted and sat against the wall.

"We're going," Tigress said, wrapping the scroll.

"Right, just leave the boar in his slowly collapsing cage," the boar said in a tone laced with sarcasm.

All the Masters climbed out of the prison, but Viper lagged behind. Crane flapped back to her as she approached the cell.

"Viper, what are you doing?" Crane said, apprehensive.

"We can't just leave him."

"But he's a criminal. He belongs in jail," Crane said.

"Nobody's perfect." Viper smirked, and began to pick the cage's lock with her tail. After a few moments, it popped off with a clunk.

"Phew, thank you," the boar said, freed from the cold bars, "I thought for sure you would leave me in there."

Crane eyed him with venom, unsure of Viper's motive.

"So, anything else you can tell us?" She said.

"Hmm, come to think of it, I do remember who told that play," he said, rubbing his prickly chin.

"None other than the best storyteller in town. Or, I guess, more accurately, the best fortune teller in town."

Crane immediately knew the answer.

"I don't know her name, but everyone always called her The Soothsayer."

Crane winced. Getting to her would be difficult, and there was still the question of her… chore. But if that old, cantankerous goat had some knowledge of this—and he was sure she did—then they had to find her.

"Thank you. Do stay out of trouble," Viper said.

The boar nodded and sped up the prison steps. Crane watched Viper, surprised as he always was by her kindness.

Viper smiled at him sadly, then glanced at the tattoo on her back.

"We're the good guys, remember?"

Crane couldn't help but agree with her.


A/N:

Woo, it took me less than a month to get this one out. In reality, I only really spent like a week on this one total. That's good news for me releasing chapters sooner. Color me proud! I hope you enjoyed reading as much as I did writing.

The challenge in this one was, by far, trying to nail the villain's (Gü Gui/Scarlet Robe's) feel, menace and intrigue. I think I did an okay job, but it feels a little generic and its motive is hazy. Don't worry. There is a plan for this demon. Getting that plan into a cohesive story, however...

As always, I look forward to your criticism. If anything happened in this chapter that is dumb, out-of-character or simply bothering you, I'd like to hear of it! This is the longest story I've ever written... Well, actually, it is kind of my first story ever that actually has chapters, so keep that in mind while reading. I'm new to this!

As for Viper and Crane... I like the ship! But it's not the endgame... I'll leave you with that...