One would think that such a cavern could never see the warmth of the sun, but the heat of dragon's breath was something else entirely. Such was the case of Drakon's prison, where he now stood at the blocked mouth of the cave his army of reptilian students at his back. His eyes narrowed on the bolder he placed there so many years ago and thought back to why he bothered with it in the first place. It was sort of a way to block out the world from him and a way to keep his students away from the world.

"Master…" The rough voice behind him shook Long of such righteous thoughts and caused the darkness in him to take over once again.

"What is it you need, Ju-Long?" Drakon turned to his prized student and advisor, the long snouted gharial stood behind him as he turned his head to face him.

"Your students become anxious…they want out." It was an obvious truth, but the monitor lizard's eyes still slowly scanned the small crowd gathered in the corridor.

A low hum of voices was spread out among them, only few spoke loud enough to hear what was being said to their leader but the majority remained silent. Ah yes, those few that didn't converse with their brothers and sisters, those were the ones to fear. For Drakon knew personally how each and every chameleon, snake, crocodile, skink and lizard he'd trained; those were ones whose actions spoke louder than their words. Every one of them knew why their master had awakened them…

"We have hid ourselves away for long enough my students!" The few whispers and shifting feet became still and silent as their master addressed them.

Drakon took a stance of power, rooted all in his clawed feet that weighted his body heavily to the ground. His arms moved slowly, every motion had a purpose and the old master could feel his latent chi begin to well inside him once more.

"Let all of China remember why they once feared you, all of you…why they all feared the DRAKON DOJO!" His roar brought forth the flames that had dwelled in the great lizard's belly for those many years as he brought both fists to the seal of his prison.

The explosion of fire and rage blew the gigantic boulder to that of tiny pebbles, which shook the entire mountain range in its wake. One could hear the cheers and roars of the students as they breathed the air of freedom for the first time in what seemed like an eternity.

"STUDENTS! FORM RANKS!" Ju-long shouted as the pupils rushed past the two into the chill of the mountain air.

Within a blink of an eye the warriors had lined up before their master in the snow, bowing to show their respect. Even Ju-long took his place in front of his master's forces and took a knee waiting to hear what Drakon had in store for them next.

In the cold one could easily see the steam escape the hot nostrils of Drakon, and some could even say a small smile formed on the kamodo's lips. With one gust of smoke from his nostrils he raised a strong fist and shouted his decree.

"WE MARCH!!!" The great invasion was under way.

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"Goodnight master Tigress, master Monkey, master Crane." Po gave his respects to each of the kung fu experts as they gave the goodnight bows.

The large panda hadn't smiled since that afternoon, with the news of their impending doom and all. Their situation even dampened his light spirits. He watched as his friends entered their rooms for their nightly routines, Monkey's meditation, Crane's calligraphy, Mantis's medical studies and Tigress's well…Tigress's brooding whatever she did. So there he stood in hall way that led to his room, the only obstacle in his way was the creaky floor in front of Viper's door.

"Great…" Po sighed; though he could make his body light as a feather he still would get the occasional creaks and moans from the wood floor of the dormitory.

His toes graced across the delicate floor boards, all his concentration going into not disturbing the darkness that was Viper's sleeping quarters. So far he had made it half way past the doorway before he heard something faint. It wasn't anything from the floor however; no this sounded more like crying. Po turned his ear to the source of the sound and found that it came from behind Viper's door.

Now there was no delicateness as he stood with his full weight on the floor boards. There was only slight hesitation as he rapped his knuckles on the snake's doorframe. Almost instantly the crying stopped as Po slid the door open slightly so that he peek inside.

"Viper, are you alright?" Po whispered, his limited view included Viper facing the opposite wall, her dancing ribbon wrapped in the clutches of the end of her tail.

"Please Po…leave me alone." She sniffled from where she sat on the floor, the tears that fell from her beautiful eyes stained her cherished ribbon.

"Aw come on Vipes…that's not like you, what's up?" He slid the door open without her permission and entered the room.

A small, sorrow filled chuckle came from the graceful snake as she heard her playful nickname. She even grinned slightly as she felt his presence enter the room, but was followed up with a shake of her head. Po looked around the room at the painted pictures on the wall of an old snake with great white fangs and at the other beside it of a much more delicate looking reptile with eyes as beautiful as Viper's.

"It's okay Viper…what's wrong?" Po folded and sat on his legs as he came to viper's side.

She sniffed lightly and wiped her eyes with her tail before finally facing her friend.

"Well, its Drakon…." She paused as she thought about what she was about to say.

'Well, DUH.' Po thought but decided to keep it to himself for once.

"My people always had hard times adjusting with all the other citizens of the valley…of China. I was lucky being the daughter of Great Master Viper, people respected my family and I always had friends. It wasn't so easy of the other snakes, of crocs or any other reptiles to fit in. And it didn't help that most of the bandits around our village were lizards. Really soiled our reputation you know." She looked up at her friend with a wider grin this time before averting her eyes back to the floor.

"And it all started with Drakon…" Po finished for her with a heavy sigh.

He really couldn't relate to what Viper was going through, but it didn't stop him from caring. With a slight thud, the dragon warrior let his feet slide out from under him so he could sit next to his friend. Po laid a heavy hand on the top of her smooth head, her body flinching slightly from the sudden contact.

"Hey…I don't see scales or fur. I just see a beautiful person, a beautiful person who could kick my butt anytime she wanted." This brought a giggle from Viper as she looked over to Po with a genuine smile.

"Thank you Po, Oogway chose the dragon warrior wisely." Her tongue flittered from between her lips before starching her body out to give the chubby panda a kiss on the cheek.

"Aw geez, I was…I was just at the wrong place at the wrong time. You know that." Po's face grew red with heat from her kiss and he clumsily stood to hide his embarrassment.

The girlish giggle continued as Viper saw her friends reaction, she in all honesty loved seeing him fumble over himself. She thought it was actually kind of cute.

"You should get some sleep master Po, we really don't know what Shifu has in store for us tomorrow morning…might be painful." She was met with a groan and sigh from the panda as he turned to leave the small room.

"Yeah you're probably right, I'll see you in the morning Vipes." He shuffled to the door and slid it halfway closed before Viper called to him.

"Oh, and Po…thanks again." She hissed flashing her fangless smile.

"It's what I do…good night Viper."

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From a far the mass of reptilian warriors really didn't seem like a march of soldiers than it did a pilgrimage of wondering souls trying to return home. At least that's what it looked like to the guard of mountain side Lee Da Kung Fu Academy as the group of students began to make their way over the rocky hillside.