Okay, so I don't have much to say but I had fun with this chapter. This is just mostly a comedy chapter and I'll be honest I'm not too good with that, but hey I hope you like it with more character development. There's also a small reference of a joke from another Dreamworks film, see if you can spot it. All right let jump in guys!


Chapter 11: A Not So Good Day Off

He was glad he didn't have to wake up early in the morning to do chores. He was free to do whatever he wants. Well, not technically free, but at least he will not be disturb.

By the next day, Shen was back on the usual route, wake up, train in the Training Hall and back to his room. While training he noticed the panda would wave or give him a small smile, but Shen would pretend he wasn't there. He avoided making eye contact, trying to make a point that he was wrong, Shen did not thank him for his help.

Now he was questioning who was the one being childish, the panda or himself?

After a long day, he went back to his room and took out his notes. He reread all of his ideas and observed the drawings of his weapons. Looking at them again and realized a few of them have to be redesign. Shen drew small cannons with new details, different animal heads and added a large rope for those who can carry it. He stopped as a thought entered his mind.

"I wonder if this blacksmith will be capable of making my creation?" Shen question.

Blacksmiths are the masters of metal and can also be inventors but Shen knows this person has no knowledge of what cannons are. He wasn't sure if one person can make his new cannons as he envisions. Everything has to be perfect. The only ones who were able to make them solid and flawless were his wolves and his gorillas, Shen always made them work hard to the limit. Even Lang did his best to please his friend.

Shen stayed focus only on his thoughts; he didn't want to think about Lang right now. And he cannot allow himself to doubt.

"Perhaps I should write instructions for this blacksmith," Shen thought.

The peacock put all of his notes away for later and wrote instructions for the blacksmith. While writing he had an idea for Gang as well.

"Maybe I should also trust in Gang to be in charge of making the powders."

Shen remembered all of the ingredients of making fireworks and knew it by heart thanks to reading his father's work. He made a how-to-do list for Gang wring down a list of the chemicals he needs and how many grams he has to put in. Already it was getting dark and he was only half done but Shen decided to finish the list tomorrow. This time he wanted to go to bed earlier than staying up so he would get enough rest.

Hiding his notes and blowing his candle off, Shen went off to sleep, resting his mind and dreamt of nothing for hours.


Lang had been summoned by Shen to see him. His friend had been really busy in the lab for weeks and he could see why. Looking around he saw a blackboard with designs of weapons and the table was crowded with equipment and bowls of powders. He too has been busy, his parents made him head alpha of the pack and training his siblings to be loyal guards to the peacock family.

"So what is all of this?" Lang asked curiously.

Shen didn't look up, he was busy mixing another batch of powder.

"What does it look like, it's my work."

"I can see that but it's all for?"

The young peacock rolled his eyes and explained, "If you must know, I have discovered what else we can do with fireworks."

Shen added the last ingredient until a big puff smoke swift to the air. They both stared with astonishment. Shen could see the look on the wolf's face and smiled proudly.

"You see, with this sort of power and with my new invention, Gongmen city will be protected. Nothing will stand in our way."

Lang was impressed. He always knew his friend would be just like his parents, smart, inventive, and bold. He looked at Shen's scrolls with all his notes, he couldn't really understand what it said but he knew the peacock put all his effort into it. This new weapon looked like it could really work for their people.

"Huh, this is pretty neat," said Lang putting the scrolls back, "So what does your dad think of all this?"

Shen stopped mixing the powder and frowned then continued mixing after a second of thinking.

"…He doesn't really know."

Lang's ear twitched as he turned to look at him, his tail swayed very slowly, "What about your mom?"

"Of course not," said Shen, "You know how she can be overprotective with me."

And that was the truth, Shen's mother tries to be a good mother but lets worriedness get the better of her. Since he was born fragile Shen's mother would have her son stay indoors than play outside, afraid he would get sick again. Even their playtime together didn't last long, only up ten or seven minutes before she has to go and do something important.

Lang knew the dynamic of Shen and his parents, but they have the right to know what's going on.

"Are you planning on telling them?"

Shen tried to focus on his task, not wanting to be a part of this conversation. Why would it matter if he tells his parents, it wasn't going to change anything. But his friend did had a point and he hated to be wrong.

"Soon," Shen finally said, "Just, not right now. I have to make sure everything I envision goes perfect. And don't tell this to the Soothsayer, I don't want her to be worried."

"Soothsayer? What happened to Nana, we always called her that" said Lang.

"We're not kids anymore" the peacock simply said walking towards a shelf, "Look just do me a favor and go watch outside."

The wolf raised a brow, "Wait, is that why you call me here?"

"Yes. My father will be back at sunrise, I don't want him or anyone else disturbing me."

The wolf sighed, "All right."

"And please don't howl like last time" Shen glanced at the wolf. He remembered Lang and his pack found something that caused them to howl for almost a whole hour. The citizens of Gongmen including Shen were woken up by it.

"I can't help it, it's my instincts."

"Well then fight your instincts," Shen said irritably getting back to his work.

Lang stood outside leaning on the wall and keeping a lookout. It became boring after a minute. He didn't want to admit to himself but he noticed his friend had been treating him differently. But he figured it just the stress getting to the peacock and Lang just went along with it. He wasn't the sharpest knife in the bunch but he knows when something is wrong it's hard to get Shen to talk to him. He can only hope things would go well.


Shen woke up. He didn't have enough sleep because of the strange flashback he had dreamt of. He was beginning to wonder why these memories are resurfacing in his mind. He couldn't think of any reason why, when he was in exile most of his dreams were nothing but nightmares.

Shen's body stiffened as he remembered them, it all started from that night, the very first night of his banishment. They didn't have a pattern it would just happen randomly. The nightmares got worse and worse during those thirty years, but ever since he returned to Gongmen they stopped. To this day he still didn't understand why the nightmares suddenly disappeared but he prays to the Gods they never returned.

Still, it doesn't explain these new dreams.

Why would he dream back on Lang? Was it because he thought of him yesterday or did he felt some kind of guilt on how he took his only friend's life.

No, Lang refused an order, he had the chance to fire the cannon but he didn't do anything. He stood there making some excuse the peacock wasn't listening. He felt as if he was being betrayed when he said no. Shen just didn't think back then, he just threw the knife at Lang, not realizing what he did and not even bother to see if the wolf was alright. All he cared about was getting the job done-

"Stop! Stop it, stop thinking this way…" Shen shut his eyes.

He covered his head, clutching tightly and trying to think straight.

"Thinking about it will not do you any good. It's done, you can't change what happened."

The warlord knew his friend was gone. There was no time for remorse. Lang was now part of the dead past Shen left behind; he has to move on without him. He needed to distract himself. Shen changed his robe and was about to walk out to start his own training, only to stop to see the crane right by his door.

"Oh, I was about to knock but you're already up," said Crane taking a step back.

It was not just Crane but Viper, Monkey, Mantis, and Po.

"Hi, Lord Shen," Viper greeted with a small bow just to be polite.

"Morin'," Mantis yawned resting on Monkey's head.

"What are all of you doing here?" Shen asked suspiciously.

"Well we're heading out to see the markets," explained Viper.

"We need to get some things" Crane held on a small scroll, "Tigress didn't want to come so we were wondering if you want to come along with us."

Shen stared at the group. He did not want to go anywhere with them, he has more important things to work.

"No" he deadpanned said about to close his door.

"Come on, you've been locked up in that room for too long," said Monkey smiling, "Let's have some fun for a change."

The impatient bird raised a brow questionable, "Fun?"

"Yeah there's always something new at the market," said Po excited, "Like action figures, cooking pans, lanterns, um…more action figures."

"Or more importantly food to supply," Crane also added, "And hey, you may see something you may like."

But Shen didn't fully understand how any of that could be fun. He had other plans in mind and he did not want to be disturbed. He cannot believe these fools wanted to spend a day with him.

"I rather spend my precious time here than going anywhere with any of you," Shen said hoping they would get the message and go away.

Po sighed and folded his arms, his hands behind his head, "That's fine. I guess we won't bother to find good robes for you then."

The panda glanced back to the peacock seeing that he stopped to look at him he made a small smile.

"Robes you say?" asked Shen who was still frowning but his ruby eyes held some interest.

"Yeah, like the fancy ones you like. I know you don't like the robes we gave you, so maybe we can find some new ones."

Shen thought about this carefully. He did need some new clothes but he knew he was walking right into the panda's trap. It was only going to be just today, so why not. He stepped out of his room and held his head high to make himself look more presentable.

"Very well, I would hope I would find something in my taste."

"That the spirit!" Po cheered as he leads the way, "Let's go guys."


The Valley of Peace was filled with crowds of people. The markets were busier as anyone was out and about buying what they need or selling their products. The children playing on the streets, old friends chatting about their day and others were going to grab lunch at Mr. Ping's Noodle Shop.

Po ran as fast as his short legs can, not wanting to miss out on anything, while the others stayed behind walking. They took their time until they caught up with Po, who stopped to catch his breath.

"I'm okay," he said breathing dramatically, "I just need some air."

"Take all the time you need buddy," said Mantis.

"It's really nice that we're all out here," comment Viper, "Having some quality time before the summer ends."

"You're right. With all the crazy stuff that has happened we really didn't have much time for ourselves," said Crane while double-checking his list.

"All right then, let make this the best awesome last days of summer ever!" cried Po with enthusiasm, "Starting with this stand!"

The panda quickly rushed to a stand where they were selling wooden action figures of kung fu masters.

Shen rolled his eyes, "Why would you even bother collecting toys, you're a grown man."

"They're not toys they're action figures. There's a big difference," Po said like it was a known fact.

But Shen only responded back with a 'hmph' not grasping how could there be any difference.

The panda then gave out a big gasp, as if he discovered hidden treasure.

"No way! Master Porcupine! I've been looking for this one like forever! Wait is that oh my god! They have Master Ox and Croc, and it comes with their sword and ax accessories."

"Why does he allow himself to act in such unfitting behavior? Doesn't it always embarrass you?" Shen turned to Crane who didn't seem to mind about it.

"Sometimes it doesn't. He just had a geek out moment," the thin bird said, "He is who he is after all."

While Po asked the seller how much for the figures his friends were also looking at things they like. Viper was looking at some jade jewelry and other ornament clips for herself. Monkey and Mantis were mostly buying junk food to eat later. Shen mostly stayed by Crane while the thin bird looked for the food he needed to by.

The peacock observed the markets that were close by him, none of them weren't worth his attention. There was a family of rabbits he saw, a little bunny was staring up a red lantern and trying to reach it. His father surprised him by picking him and letting him grab the lantern. The boy smiled and laughed enjoying his piggyback ride and holding up his lantern.

Shen had to look away, the scene was too much of a reminder. Something he longed for but could never have, yet it was something he couldn't understand.

He walked away from Crane to look at something else. Shen noticed a small shop selling fabric and clothes, this is what he was looking for. He saw a young woman, a sheep, putting blankets away inside the shop. As he walked closer she noticed him and was very surprised by his appearance.

"Oh, hello," she said politely, "Welcome to our shop."

Shen got straight to the point, "Do happened to have any robes?"

"Why yes," she said, "We have all kinds of clothing in cotton, linen, hemp, and-"

"Yes, but what I am looking for is silk" Shen cut her off, "Do you have any silk robes made from the province?"

"From the province?" the sheep pause for a moment, "Um, I'm not sure if we have that kind of material but I can always go to the back and check."

"Yes do so."

Shen groaned to himself the moment the sheep left. He should have known better than a poor shop wouldn't sell silk, it was too expensive to buy off. While he was waiting he went to look over any other clothes that were for sale. Some were either too colorful or too dull. He picked a robe with patterns of a river and a dragon.

"I like that one."

Shen nearly jumped back, startled by the voice behind him. He growled in annoyance realizing it was just the panda. Po was carrying a box with his toys and a sword sticking out of the box.

"You should totally get that," said Po.

Shen looked back at the robe, "Why?"

"Because it's got a dragon on it."

"So?"

"Dragons are awesome!"

But Shen didn't agree and put the robe back, "This is ridiculous, I can't even find one decent clothing for myself."

"Oh, I can help" Po put his box on the ground and started looking, " How about this one, red is kinda cool."

"No" Shen responds not even looking at the robe.

"So red is not your favorite color?" the panda asked.

"It's not that," said Shen, "I only want robes that are grey or white."

"Why grey or white?"

He sighed not wanting to explain.

"Panda I may not be a lord anymore in your eyes but I still have high standards. A peacock must wear proper clothes that match their features."

It wasn't something his parents told him, Shen picked up on this fact as he got older when he noticed he was very different from other peacocks. He never likes it but learned to accept it and was used to wearing plan greyish colors.

"Oh," Po seemed to understand, "But, you can still try other colors if you want to."

"If I do that then I'll stand out."

"So? Standing out shows off your personality. I mean there are colors like tangerine, jade green, golden yellow or amber."

Shen looked at the panda as if he wasn't sure if he was serious, "Those are terrible colors."

"Oh, well those are my favorite colors," Po said frowning.

"Sir," the young sheep came back, "So I checked and we don't really have robes made by silk."

"Of course" the peacock muttered to no one.

"But I did find something else that you might be interested in."

The sheep rolled out a long robe and the right size for any peacock. The color wasn't bright; it was a navy blue with thin yellow lines from the shoulders to the bottom. There were blocky symbols around the sleeves and on the back a large oval with a picture of a bird in the middle.

"Whoa, that looks so awesome" cried Po, "Shen you should get this one."

Shen wasn't too sure about the robe, it wouldn't match on him.

"What material is it made?" he asked.

"Mostly cotton," said the sheep, which was not the answer the warlord did not want to hear.

"That's perfect. Since the fall is coming you can wear that, plus it has a bird on the back and you're a bird. How cool is that?" Po smiled turning back to Shen who had a questionable look.

The peacock may not have any other choice. The store has no silk and no clothes that suited him, and he was encouraged to try something new. He will admit, it looks decent enough and he did like the design on the back. With a sigh, the peacock nodded and both the bear and the sheep smiled. Po paid for the robe and handed over to Shen. The peacock could feel the difference of the cotton, it was soft but not smooth as his silk robes.

The two met back with the others.

"Okay, so what we got?" asked Mantis.

"I found a few clips for myself and an umbrella," said Viper.

"I just brought most the food we need at home," said Crane, "What did you get Monkey?"

"Eh, me and Mantis just bought more cookies," the monkey said showing off a big bag of almonds cookies.

"I got new action figures and this cool looking sword." Po pulled the sword out from the box and swings it around, Shen backed away to avoid getting hit.

"Po where did you get that?" Crane asked.

"Some guy was selling it."

The crane's eyelids narrowed, "Take it back."

"What!? Why?"

"Because last time you held a sword you almost cut my head off," Crane gave the panda a knowing look.

"Oh c'mon, it will be better this time" Po tried to convince his friends.

"Yeah right, trying to give you sword lessons was the worst idea ever," said Monkey.

"No, it got funny when he threw it in the air and..." Mantis had to hold in his laughter, "It landed behind Master Shifu and, his ponytail was cut off."

Everyone expected for Shen and Po laughed.

"Guys that was not funny," said Po, "Shifu gave me the silent treatment for months."

"He had a pink bald spot for months," Mantis laughed again.

Eventually, Po joined in the laughing admitting it was a little funny. Shen stayed out of the conversation. It wasn't for him to be part of. Although seeing them laughing together, sharing memories together, made him feel left out. He forgotten was it like to have a friend around, Lang was his only friend who was there for him until those thirty years changed both of them. Perhaps he had that dream of him was because he was starting to miss him.

"What did you get Shen?"

The peacock blinked as his thoughts were interrupted, "What?"

"What did you get?" Crane asked again.

Shen noticed the masters were looking at him. He showed the robe he bought and glanced back at the master's expression.

"Oh, that's really nice," said Viper.

"It is?" Shen was surprised by their response. He looked back on the robe, seeing nothing about it that made it special.

"Yeah, I can see you wearing that" complement Mantis looking at the fabric carefully, "You made a good choice."

Then all six of them looked up when they heard someone screaming for help. They saw bunnies and piglets running away from something.

"Danger!" Po cried getting ready to take action, "C'mon guys let's check it out!"

"Po wait!" cried Crane watching the bear taking off with his box. He turned back to the others telling them to leave their things behind and followed the panda.

Po kelp running passing by people until he stopped and saw a group of animals harassing villagers for money. The first one Po saw was a small alligator, almost like Master Croc but the scales were grey and his snout was smaller. A wolverine with sharp claws was carrying a big bag over his shoulders. A snake, pacifically a sharp-nosed viper, had a brown zigzag pattern on his scales and Chinese letters tattoo on them. The last one was a yellow-throated marten and seems to be the leader of the small group.

"Give me all of your money old man" the marten threatened.

"I told you that's all I have, now leave me and family alone," the poor rabbit explained.

"Lair! I know you villagers have more than this, give me your money or I'll chomp you to death," the small ferret barred his teeth growling at him.

"Hey!" Po yelled getting their attention and dropped his box.

The four animals looked up giving the rabbit and his family time to hide. The other masters and Shen were able to catch up, striking a kung fu pose ready to fight.

"Oh great, who the hell are you guys?" asked the yellow ferret.

"We are the Furious Five and the Dragon-oh no wait," Po paused, "Make that the Furious Four, since Tigress isn't here. And the Dragon Warrior, and Shen the…Peacock."

The panda saw Shen was giving him a knowing scowl and went telling straight to the point.

"We're kung fu masters and protectors of the Valley of Peace! Now, who the heck are you guys?"

"I am Yóu."

Po started at the ferret confused, glancing at his friends and back to the leader.

"Uh…no you're not."

"Wha-no I'm Yóu" the yellow-throated marten repeated.

"No. You're not a panda, and your name is not Po, so you can't be me."

The ferret facepalmed and growled furiously, "No you big dummy, I'm saying my name is Yóu!"

"Seriously?" Po titled his head.

"Yes. It means ferret since I'm from the ferret clan," Yóu sighed, "My folks weren't creative with names. Anyway, we are the Chomp squad!"

"The Chomp squad?" said Monkey.

"Yeah, we steal from the rich and the poor," said the wolverine showing off the bag of money they stole.

"We always get what we want, and if we don't, then there will be consequences," the snake said showing off his fangs in a threating manner.

"That's right, we have taken down anyone who tries to stop us. We chomp our victims with pain" said Yóu, "And then-"

"AND THEN WE EAT THEM!" the grey alligator shouted jumping exactly like a happy insane child.

The ferret facepalmed again.

"No, we don't. We don't eat people, stop telling everyone that!" Yóu turned back to the heroes and made circle motion by his head.

"Sorry, he's a little… you know in the head, but he's still my best teammate."

Shen didn't need the leader to tell him that, he could already tell there was something off with the small gator. He had a crazy look in the eyes and he was shaking, almost violently.

"So, if you don't mind we'll just be on our way doing what we do best," said Yóu.

"Actually we do mind," said Mantis narrowing his brow.

"We're not letting you go anywhere and chomp other people, Yóu" Po made his stance giving the ferret a mean look.

The leader laughed and mocked at the masters in a cocky manner. "Oh please, do you think we'll let a bear, a bug, a monkey, a girly snake, and two flocks of birds stop us?"

Shen glared at the ferret, "I'm not just a bird, I'm a peacock you unintelligent rodent."

Yóu only gave a smirk to the peacock's direction, "Oh, so you like to insult people huh? Well, let us show you how we throw insults."

"AND WE'LL EAT YOU UP!" the gator cried again.

"No! Will you quit it already!" the ferret yelled at his friend again.

While the group was distracted, Po saw this as a chance to attack first. In a quick swift, he took the sword from his box and threw it at them.

"Think fast!"

The sword spin heading right at them, only to hit the bark of a tree next to the snake.

"Wow dude you suck," said the snake taking the sword out of the tree, "Here you go, boss."

Yóu took the sword and smiled sinisterly, "Thanks for the free gift dummy."

Po's shoulders slumped by his failure, "Oh man."

"Why did you that?!" Shen snapped.

"I was trying to get the bag away, and we fight them, and one of us get the bag…I didn't think this through," Po gave up explaining.

"Don't worry Po, we'll find a way to stop them," Viper said.

Yóu laughed again, "All right enough games, Chomp squad to action!"

"We surrender!"

The black and yellow ferret looked at his friends and facepalmed for the third time.

"NO! Not that one you idiots! The kung fu things!"

"Oh…" they said unison. All four of them prepare to attack by showing off their fist and throwing out their kicks. They were doing something but kung fu, and the masters were not impressed.

"Okay if they're trying to be threatening, they're not doing a good job," Crane whispered.

"Agreed," Shen said back.

Po then leads in whispering into the peacock's ear, "Shen just a quick note, no killing this time okay?"

"Well, how can I when you gave these buffoons a sword" Shen glared at the panda being sassy about it.

"Point taken, but since these guys are buffoons, do wanna take the first hit?"

Shen looked back at the four animals, which were charging in at them, and he nodded.

"I thought I would never say this but, with pleasure, panda."

With incredible speed Shen rushed in and punch the ferret in the face, sending him flying. Shen then used his train to knock all the men to the ground. They got back up and bared their teeth ready for the bite while Yóu uses his new sword to defend himself. Po and the others joined in, fighting the intruders in their village.


"So what happened again?" asked Tigress.

Po and the masters were able to defeat the Yóu and his squad and sent them to jail, only to come home with bruises and bite marks. All, expected for Mantis, groaned in pain and muscles strained from the intense battle.

"We stopped a bunch of crooks-ow!," said Po, "And save the day-ow! Mantis that hurts!"

"Sorry, I'm trying to find the nerve point."

Mantis had been helping his friends heal from the pain quicker by using his punchier needles. It worked, sometimes, the bug stuck another one in Po's arm causing it to filch and hit Crane in the beak.

"Oh! Sorry Crane," Po apologized.

"I'm okay…" the bird moan in pain.

"I guessing it was that bad," Tigress said leading on the sliding door.

"It was easy, it only got worse when they literally tired to chomp us," said Monkey sitting on the floor with needles from his head to his tail.

"Yeah but those guys were just a big joke," Mantis comment while hopping to his next patient, "They knew nothing about kung fu yet we almost got our butts kicked by them."

"But we did it! Ow!" Po cheered but was cut short when his shoulder throbs in agony, he rubs it realizing he was still healing.

"Hey Mantis, how did you get out of there without a scratch?" asked Monkey.

After checking on Viper, Mantis hopped over to his box for more needles.

"Well I was too busy getting myself out of the gator's mouth for five minutes," Mantis shivered just thinking about it, "Seriously that guy got some serious issues."

He went over to check on Shen who had the most injuries. The peacock had a one on one fight with the wolverine. He almost defeated him until the wolverine jumped on top of him, clawing his back. He was on the bed, lying on his stomach, his back covered needles.

Tigress glanced at the peacock and spoke in a sarcastic tone, "How is the lord of Gongmen doing over there?"

"Don't you have anything better to do female," Shen remarked annoyed.

She shrugged in response, "Hm, I was just asking. I'll let all of you get back to resting,"

Tigress walked away back to her meditation.

Later on, Mantis let Po, Viper, Crane, and Monkey go once their buries and muscles were healed. He still needed to heal the scratches on Shen's back, the cuts were closed but his muscles were still in stress.

"I hate the fact I'm even letting you crawl on my back" the peacock complained.

"Relax grumpy bird," said Mantis, "You'll get better in no time. I just need to find the right nerve."

Mantis studied for a moment and stuck two needles on the upper neck, which cause Shen's train to open up. The warlord felt his tail and was embarrassed.

"Okay, that was wrong."

"Do even know what you are doing?"

"Well I was a doctor for one day before I became a master of kung fu, so yeah I think so."

Shen glanced at the bug as if he wasn't sure he was telling the truth, "How you were a doctor for one day?"

Mantis took the needles out and thought for a moment before speaking.

"Funny story, Shifu was my first patient and it did not end well. But when Tigress needed help defeating a boar, I and others stayed to help out and the rest was history."

"Is that all?" Shen watched Mantis crushed some herbs and poured it in a small cup of water.

"Nah, not really" he chuckled, "I knew how to fight already, but I wanted to be a doctor to learn more on being patient. You should have seen the old me, I was never patient."

Mantis grabbed a towel and dabbed it in the herb water. He then hopped on to Shen's back and placed it on his cuts while rearranging the needles. Shen filched a little when he felt the towel, it was warm but it also felt nice.

"One day I got captured, locked up in a box and everything and I thought I was gonna die," said Mantis, "But as the days went by I learn I had to keep cool and thought up a plan to get outta there then BAM!"

Mantis jumped high in the air kicking out his two legs and landed back on the floor.

"I took down the crocs without a problem and I did it with patience and…"

"And the rest was history" Shen finished his sentence knowing what he was going to say.

"Hey, now you're getting it" the bug smiled. Mantis hopped back on Shen removing the towel and the needles.

"Okay this should be it," he said to himself as he sticks a needle on the shoulder. He took it off after a minute and asked the peacock how he felt.

"I feel…great actually," he said with honestly, it was like he never pains on his back at all.

"All right, looks my work here is done," Mantis hopping off and letting Shen sit up.

He was impressed with how Mantis was able to heal him that quickly, normally it would take days for his body to be better whenever he got sickly. That fact made him frown and stared down at his scarred feet. This happed because he let his guard during the fight.

"If I haven't let that wolverine jumped on top of me, my body wouldn't be in damaged as it is now" his beak clenched and his eyes closed, "You must think I'm weak."

Mantis turned to the peacock confused, he didn't understand what Shen meant about his body but he knew he must felt troubled about what happened today. He hopped on top of Shen's shoulder.

"Hey, we all get bad days sometimes, today was great until those creeps came by. It ended up terrible but we're all still alive. Don't let that overwhelm you," Mantis reassured, "You know, you're a great fighter when you're not killing anyone."

"Hm," Shen responded, "If we're up to me I would handle a proper fight with weapons but that panda just threw them the sword."

"Yeah, Po really shouldn't be trusted with swords," Mantis agreed hopping off, "Hopefully tomorrow will be a new day."

"Yes…hopefully"

Shen left it at that and walked back to his room. He didn't feel like writing down more on his plans, he was too tired. As he lay down on his bed he thought back on Mantis's story. Mantis was not in a good place until he learned what it is to have patience. Now looking back on his life, Shen was never patient, always planning how things should be done and fast and wanting things to go his way. He wondered if he had enough patience, would he be a calmer person. If he were patience would Lang still be here?

Shen could see no other way around it but to only confirm what he was really feeling, he was missing his friend.

Unbeknownst to Shen, the Wolf Boss was indeed alive, just not here with him.


Chapter 11 complete! God this one took me forever! So the yellow-throated marten was an animal that I've been thinking about to use as another villain, they can almost eat any big animal including baby pandas can you believe that?! When I actually translate ferret in Chinese and it turned out to be 'Yóu' I just had to make a joke about it.

I also doubled check this chapter but if you guys see any mistakes, just simply let me know and I'll jump back in to fix. Thanks so much!