Alright back with another chapter! Yeah I will admit the title for this is not my best but it will do. I was going to add more stuff into it but the chapter was becoming way too long so I had to cut it short. So let get on to it, I hope you enjoy it!
Chapter 9: The Deal and Some Advice or Two…
Gang wasn't in a good position or in good health to fight back due to the injury on his wing and chest. When he cried out he would do anything, he really means will do anything to save himself. He glanced up when the final impact didn't come. He saw the expression on Shen's face seeing he got him interested.
"Anything?"
"Y-yes, I can give you anything. If I can do that for you, would you spare me?"
He felt the weight of the peacock's feet lifted and let out a deep breath of relief. Gang slowly got up to his feet, holding his wing in a tight grip. His eyes locked on to Shen, wondering what he has in mind.
"What can you give me exactly?" asked Shen.
"I can give you treasures, supplies of food that I stole. If I can just reach to my men…"
"That nice but I'm not fascinated by any of those," Shen disregarded, "I'm wondering if you know anything about…manufacture weapons?"
Gang worded out his next sentence carefully, "No, not really, but I know someone who can help you. He designs weapons and sells them illegally on the market."
The peacock raised a brow, "And how do you know this person?"
"He made me theses," Gang held out his foot to show his bloodstained talons, "He can make any kind of weapon you want."
Shen hummed to himself thinking about what to do next while rubbing his chin. Maybe this blacksmith can remake his cannons for him, but it could probably take months to finish a huge project and he can't really leave since he has the panda and assassins are on his back. He has to think of something else, he has to come up with a new weapon that could be finished in a week. Shen needed some time to plan this out.
"Can you find this person for me?"
"I can," said Gang, "But I can't fly there, I'm still weak and I have a giant hole in my wings."
"And whose fault is that?" Shen mocked him.
"You of course! You killed my men and tried to kill me you horrid bird! " Gang snapped at him.
"And I will strike you right now if you don't watch that tongue of yours" Shen threatened which made Gang shut his mouth.
All right, all right" the crow sighed, "Look, can I at least heal myself? Just give me, two weeks?"
Shen eyed him with narrowed eyes, he thought about it for a moment and agreed.
"Fine, here is the deal. I give you two weeks to heal your wounds, but you have to keep in touch with me and this blacksmith."
"Okay, I think I can hide at his place, stay low."
"Good. Write to me as soon as you get there and I will write back in secret. I need time to come up with a design of my weapons, once your two weeks are up, come and find me and I'll give my notes to deliver."
"Okay, now we make an exchange for weapons in abandoned places, there a spot not far from here in the Bamboo forest," explained Gang while binding a weed of grass around his wound.
"You'll meet the blacksmith there and he will give you the weapons."
"If that's the case, I need you there as well."
"Wait for what?" Gang asked with surprise.
"I'm not making them just for me but for you and the rest of your crows," Shen said with the same unpleasant smile, "I need to rebuild an army and in return, I won't kill you. Is that clear?"
Gang did not like this turn of events, now his flock is getting involved in this. But at the same time, he couldn't help but feel like he can take advantage of this situation. If he could play this game with Shen, maybe he may get something out of this. Gang was hating himself for this but he didn't want to die tonight and he knows the peacock is waiting for an answer. The crow stood tall and bowed with grace to the lord in front of him.
"Yes, and it will be done, my lord," said Gang.
Shen's smile grew with pride, "That's much better. Now go."
The crow nodded and took off to the air but not too high. His flight pattern was slightly off but he ignored the stinging pain as he flew. Gang was really glad to get away from the peacock but he couldn't believe that he just made a deal with the devil.
Shen watched as the crow flew farther away, eager that he has help outside to put the pieces of his plan together.
"There you are."
Shen arched his neck only to see the four masters.
"What do you want?" Shen demanded rudely.
Crane spoke again, " You can't fly off like that Shen."
Shen rolled his eyes, "Can a peacock have some privacy to be alone?"
"No. Not if you're trying to escape," said Mantis folding his arms.
Shen started walking and strode passed the masters and they followed him. They kept their eyes on the peacock to make sure he doesn't try anything else.
"Shen," said Viper, "Once we get back you have to apologue to-"
"I don't apologue to no one," Shen said firmly and he quickened his pace to be far away from the masters. The peacock held his head high and kept staring straight ahead, ignoring the glares. It had been a long day and a long night for everyone.
"And then he took off without warning…"
"And then…"
"Well the guys found him but he doesn't apologize to Tigress."
"Uh-huh..."
"He just walked pass her as nothing happen."
"Po, can you pass me the sauce?"
"Dad, are you even listening?"
"Huh? Oh, of course, Po, I am" said Mr. Ping while he was cooking a new batch of noodles.
The next day Po woke up much early and decided to go and see his father. He wanted to talk about the situation of Shen with someone and thought his dad could give him some advice. Po gave the sauce to his dad who was cooking for his early morning customers.
"So what is Shen doing now?" asked Mr. Ping who was giving a bowl of dumplings to a customer.
Po played with his rice porridge. "Well, the Five left already to find any clues on Gang and Shifu is watching him while he cleans up."
"Oh, that's good, right? He won't go into more trouble," said Mr. Ping as he chops his vegetables.
"That not the point dad," said Po taking a bite of his food, "The point is to help him and I made that promise to Ah-ma. But, I don't know, I feel like I'm doing everything wrong."
Mr. Ping slowed downed his chopping and glanced at his son. The old goose could sense how upset Po was. Mr. Ping already knows the story between Po and the peacock and it was still shocking to him. He understands where his son was coming from but how can anyone tries to befriend a crazy bird who murdered their family. Still, Mr. Ping will support his son in the best way he can; this calls for father and son time. He put his knife down and strolls to the counter stand.
"Look, son, I know it can be hard to get along with someone but it doesn't sound like you're doing anything wrong."
"I'm not?" Po looked up to his father.
"No, not at all. I think you're trying too hard."
"What do you mean?" The young panda tilted his head in confusion.
"Well, you are helping him but at the same time you're not."
"Huh?"
"What I'm trying to say is, Shen is probably not used to the changes around him and that's why he won't let anyone in. How long has he been staying?"
"For almost a month," said Po, "Actually, when we first started training together it kinda felt things were going okay, but then…it just disappeared and he got all moody again."
"Maybe he took a step back for a reason. He may need some more time to adjust and ponder on if this is something he wants" Mr. Ping fiddled with his hands and frowned, "I'm sorry Po, I wish I could be more helpful."
"No dad, you're right" Po reassured, "Maybe I'm pushing it on him. I just don't know what other way I could say I really want to help. How can I find the answer from within if he won't let me in?"
"You could always surrender him to us," said a voice behind Po.
The father and son turned to see an elephant and small monkey sitting by a table and eating their noodles dumplings.
"You!" Po cried out.
"Yes, me and Píqì," said Zhēnbâo.
The female monkey glanced up to Po, this time with a clam expression than the last time he saw her. She slurped up her long noodles and gave a blunt greeting.
"Yo."
"What are you doing here, I thought Shifu told you guys to leave," Po said with a glare.
"We did," Zhēnbâo explained with a month full of noodles, "We left the Jade Palace, but I did say we'll be around. We got confirmed information from our Emperor that it was all right for the peacock to be in your hands, but to also keep a sharp eye out for anything suspicious. "
"Yeah, a sharp eye out for anything suspicious, " Píqì said with a grin.
"Okay Píqì what's with you?" Zhēnbâo said annoyed and folded his arms.
"What?" question the monkey.
"How come you 'yeah' and repeat everything I said."
"I thought it's a little thing we were doing" Píqì smiled sheepishly.
"Anyway" Zhēnbâo turned his attention back to the panda, "We heard your story of what happened, I'm sorry your mission did not go well. If the peacock is becoming too much we can take him out of your hands."
"Yeah right, you honestly think I can trust you guys after you attack us," Po said with a knowing look.
"I understand you don't trust me but I'm being modest this time," Zhēnbâo said with honesty.
"So what do you mean finding the answer from within?" asked the elephant.
Po still didn't like this duo, he wouldn't dare think of sending Shen away to these two.
"It's just a riddle…" he simply said not giving any more details after that.
"That doesn't sound very helpful," said Píqì finish her food.
"Well, it's called a riddle for a reason…" Po pointed out like the duo was the dumb ones.
The trained assassin elephant finished his noodles and picked up all six bowls to returned to. Po was surprised how many bowls he had with him and it was for breakfast. But he guesses that big elephants like Zhēnbâo have a bigger appetite than a panda.
"Well we wish you good luck with this riddle between you and the peacock," said Zhēnbâo as he put his cloth mask covering his face, "Come along Píqì."
Píqì finished eating the last of her dumplings and jumped to her partner's arm. She then threw the bowl to Po who caught it in the nick of time. He wasn't sure she was trying to aim at his head or just return it to him. Píqì smiled.
"Nice catch, Dragon Warrior," she said impressively.
"Um…thanks," said Po uncertainty.
"Thanks for the food Mr. Goose" the small monkey called out.
"Come back anytime," Mr. Ping waved goodbye.
"Dad!"
"What? They're my best customers, they paid with purchases."
"They tried to kill Shen!"
"Well thank goodness they didn't try to kill you right?" said trying the lighten the mood but was more happy to have customers to buy more of his food.
Po couldn't argue with that and his father did make a good point. The assassins were much polite than last time, but he still didn't trust them.
"So dad, do you think I can find the answers?" he asked.
"Po, I know you can do anything," said Mr. Ping showing how much he believes in his son, "From my understanding, it sounds like both of you must find this answer together. But I will agree with the monkey, that riddle makes no sense."
"It was worth a shot to ask" Po smiled, "Thanks for the advice dad, gotta head back."
"Oh, son wait! I'm out of rice, can you bring some more for me?"
"I'm on it, dad!"
Po took off heading to the market to find more rice. As he walked towards the markets he let his mind wander on how Shen is doing with Master Shifu.
Meanwhile back at the Jade Palace, Shen was following Master Shifu to the temple of the Sacred Hall of Heroes. The old teacher needed some help in the scroll room.
Shen did not have a pleasant morning, the moment he got up he saw the red panda standing by the doorway holding a broom in his hand. He thought this was a pathetic joke but Shifu made it clear that this was his punishment and he would be doing this for three days. The peacock warlord couldn't believe how offended he felt, he a lord is being forced to do a peasant's job. If this was supposed to teach him something, he didn't seem to be learning anything.
Shen swept up the hallways of the Student barracks while Shifu kept his eye on him. Every five minutes he would give the teacher the sink eye and Shifu would pretend he didn't notice. After sweptwing up, Shen was instructed to clean the kitchen next. He washed and put all the pots away, put all the ingredients away in their proper draws, and dusted the room. The peacock asked if he was done but he was far from it. Shifu said his last task is to help in the scroll room, which is where they were heading right now.
"I thought I'm not allowed to be in this temple," Shen said breaking the silence between.
Shifu's ears only twitch at this comment. They made it to the last step and stopped in front of the giant doors.
"True, but to learn to be a kung fu master you must read and follow the teachings of past masters" Shifu turned around giving Shen a wise look.
"And yet you still trust me?" Shen raised a brow.
"Of course, I have to, you are my student Shen," Shifu said opening the wooden doors to the Hall of Heroes.
They entered the long and tall room of green surrounded by artifacts from warriors long ago. The peacock has heard stories of this place of the Jade Palace but now that he was here he couldn't believe how beautiful it was, not as architecture as the Tower of Sacred Flames but still beautiful. Shen noticed all of the armors, weapons, and other tools that were used from legendary battles or wars. He could see why he wasn't allowed to be here before. These weapons could have potential as his weapon if weren't for the red panda kelp glancing back every now and then. Shen noticed some painting of masters he heard about growing up, there was one of Master Bull who looked similar to Master Ox and one painting of Lady Wind Song, but there was one that caught his attention.
The painting of Master Oogway. Shen remembered Master Thundering Rhino telling the story of how he met the tortoise. As a kid, Shen was inspired by how wise and how remarkable the master was. He arched his neck, seeing Oogway's back is only shown and his face was barely visible in the painting.
"He was a great hero and a great teacher," said Shifu who also stared at the painting, letting the memories of the tortoise come back to him.
"Although he was full of, mystery," Shifu described, "You can never get a straight answer from him. But he always believes things happen for a reason, that there are no accidents."
Shen scoffed at this, things don't happen for reasons and even if they did they are just obstacles that can be changed. But then again, he wasn't able to change his fate and that reminder filled him with somber. This Master Oogway didn't sound wise as Shen originally thought; the tortoise had all the knowledge of kung fu and all he did was left the legendary dragon scroll blank, how disappointing. In fact, he was starting to realize that Oogway's personality was almost similar to the Soothsayer.
Shen hadn't thought of her for a while….
"This way now."
Shen snapped out from his thoughts and turned to see the red panda walking away. He quickly followed but questioned on where there were going, he noticed the scrolls across from the small pool but they were going around to another hallway behind it.
They entered a much larger room behind the walls. Every inch of the room from top to bottom was nothing but scrolls all over the place. Some were in book shelved or in one pile on the floor. It was such a mess.
"Let's get started," Shifu said.
The peacock blinked not sure if he heard the teacher correctly, "This is my last task? To clean this?"
"Not clean," Shifu simply said, "I want you to help me organize all the scrolls and put them back to its place."
Shen gawked at this, seeing all of the scrolls on the floor it could take them hours to finish. He sighed in annoyance but in the inside, he was screaming, he was now regretting killing those birds.
For three hours, the two rearrange and put away most of the scrolls on the shelves. The floor was still a mess but now there were only two piles than eight piles. It was a difficult task, Shen had to carefully climb on the shelves and place in a scroll. Once a section was completely full he would gently let himself fall back to the floor and move on to the next. He made sure everything was in order and perfect, the palace may not be his home but it didn't stop Shen to make sure everything organized in his way. He went on to another pile only to see something that was out of place; one of the scrolls was different from the others.
Curiously, Shen pulled it out causing the rest to fall on top of each other. The strange rolled-up scroll was placed inside a jade container. Out of all the plan and pale rolled up papers why was there only one scroll with a color.
"Is there a reason why this one is special?" he asked the master. Shifu looked and saw the green scroll in Shen's wings.
"Oh that…that belongs to Oogway," said the old master.
"Why is it green?" Shen had to ask.
"I am not sure, to be honest," Master Shifu admitted, "It was something private to Oogway, that's why I never bother to look at it. You can put it away with the rest."
Shifu remembered seeing his teacher writing something in the jade scroll and remembered finding Oogway even painting it every night. He never questioned why it so important but he could tell it was something personal, the look on Oogway's face was always filled with sorrow.
Shen looked down at the jade scroll. He wondered what the tortoise has written that was private, but as much he wanted to open it he wasn't interested to cause more trouble with the teacher. Shen shrugged it off and placed the jade scroll far inside the shelf then placing other scrolls hiding the jade one.
They were finally done only six scrolls were stacked as a tower on top of the table.
"We're done for today, thank you for your help Shen," said Master Shifu as he gathered the scroll to take with. Although Shen did not appreciate his kind gesture, he was just relief now he can get away from him.
"And what are those for?" asked Shen walking out of the scroll room.
"They're for Tigress, I thought some of these may cheer her up," said Shifu eyeing the bird beside him, "I heard about what happened."
Both came to a halt, Shen knew that the red panda was glaring at him. He won't let himself glared back, only to stare ahead with a frown.
"I am not apologizing," Shen said, "She assaulted me first."
Shifu's ear gave a small twitch still eyeing the peacock, he wasn't angry, he knew Shen would not give in that easily or show any remorse. He let out a small sigh and continued his walk with peacock following.
"Tigress sometimes lets her temper get the better of her," said Shifu, "But maybe that was my fault."
Shen looked down at the master with an expression of interest.
"I taught her how to control her emotions to the point where she won't show any, even if I ask her what's on her mind."
Shifu has seen the cuts and asked her what happened last night, but Tigress didn't show any signs of pain and said she was alright.
"But isn't that the point?" questioned Shen, "To not show any weakness you must control your emotions."
"Not necessarily true," the wise master corrected him, "There's nothing wrong with showing emotions. But I have always treated Tigress that way since she was a child when I should have been a father to her."
The red panda felt his heart swelling with pain and regret.
"I was a bitter man back then, Shen. Bitter because I lost my other adoptive child, Tai Lung. I made him believed to be the dragon warrior so much, I've turned him into a man who wanted nothing but power. "
Shen doesn't really know much about Tai Lung, what he did know that the panda defeated him after he escapes from prison. He didn't know that the teacher adopted him, it surprised him that this rogue master was insane enough to strike at his own father all because he believes the scroll was rightfully his. As much as Tai Lung sounded similar to himself, Shen certainly never had the thought of attacking his father, despite how much anger he had towards him.
"When Tigress came along I saw potential in her and took her in, I tried to be a father but I reluctantly did none of that. I was so afraid to make the same mistakes that I haven't noticed I was making new mistakes with my daughter" Master Shifu said with a heavy heart.
The actions of this teacher towards the female tiger were reminding Shen of his father and his treatment to him growing up. A sudden wave of fury came over him and he stared down at the master with judgment.
"Then why bother adopting her? Why put her through all that, if you knew that fear was still haunting you?" Shen asked, not to defend the tiger at all, he just wanted to know the reason why.
He saw that question had hurt Shifu, the red panda was staring at the scrolls in his arms shamefully.
"…I wanted to move on" he finally said, "I thought I could make it better but I didn't. After my fight with Tai Lung I found my inner peace, and every day I did my best to make it up to Tigress, and she knows it ."
Master Shifu then looked up with a newfound expression, with a warm smile upon his face.
"I know you won't apologue to her Lord Shen, but I want you to understand her. To be a team you have understood your teammates, thus you can trust in one another."
The master left it like that as the two were now outside, the sun setting down. Shen thought about the wise advice Shifu said but he didn't want to be a team with anyone, especially with his enemies. They could never understand what he is going through. How can they?
Shen was surprisingly happy to be back in his room. He knows that tomorrow he has to the same cleaning tasks but he won't think about it right now. Sitting on the bed he can now relax and think about his plans. He sighed while pondering how he could make a better weapon than his cannons, which could be done in just two weeks.
While pondering, he almost didn't hear the sound of something hitting his window. It startled him and he looked up to see a sharp arrow sticking out in the paper lens. Shen opened his window to look outside, it wasn't dark yet so he can still see all the details of nature. He didn't see anyone. He pulled the arrow out and closed his window, he saw there a small piece of paper tied around the arrow. This must be a message from Gang.
Shen untied the paper and carefully unrolled it to read it.
"Lord Shen, I managed to find the blacksmith's hideout. I convinced him to go with the plan and was fine with me staying there as long I don't disturb him. The Furious Five have not spotted me, I'll make sure to keep that way. The blacksmith will wait to see your designs for the weapons. By tomorrow there will be someone to pick your response. Gang."
Well, this was good news for Shen, now he wouldn't have to worry for the crow to be captured. With stage one complete it was time for the peacock to start planning phase two. He took a paper and some ink under the small table and began writing his response to the crow.
Well, that was ch9! If ya see any mistakes remember to let me know and I'll fix it for you. By the way, Shifu, you had no idea how important that jade scroll would be later on. At least Shen didn't bother to take a peak, can you imagine what would happen if he found out about a secret village for pandas….not a pretty picture.
Now if you excuse me, I'm gonna go rewatch some new Steven Universe
