Truth in Punishment
By: PointyEdgesofaSign
A/N: I own nothing. Done to sedate Vachir and his wish that the truth be told. I did not write this, I merely was the conduit for his words. Review if you think he should continue, and please say more than just 'yes' or 'no'.
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So you've decided that I should continue? Those of you, who so brutally ridiculed me, now, express an interest in learning of my past? Well, I won't stop you, only hope that your intentions are pure.
I had read, many times, of Master Flying Rhino and his expeditions and accomplishments, and expressed no small amount of interest in hearing all and any story I could manage to elicit from him of his past. I read, reread, and analyzed every scroll in the temple, practiced until my bones sheared in exhaustion, then went to sleep, only to repeat the process the next day, day after day, for bordering on fifteen years.
Of course, I wasn't alone.
Master Flying Rhino had a thousand other students, who eventually came to be known as the Anvil of Heaven. I was simply the most dedicated, being the only one of the group to give up everything, run away from my life, in a search for truth, for my inner peace.
I was his protégé.
I tell you this now so that you realize I understand where Tai Lung was coming from and why he did what he did. I know what it is like to work so hard, to do everything you are told, and still to be denied what you feel you deserve. That was, more likely than not, why Master Oogway chose me as the leader of Chor Gom prison. He hoped I would be able to redeem the felon.
But, again, I am getting ahead of myself.
It was late in my fifteenth year as Vachir when he came. He was clad in crimson and cadmium and his feathers shimmered in the light of the early morning sun. I had read of angels in many of the books and scrolls of the temple. I was certain, however cliché it sounds, that he was one.
Now, before I continue, I should tell you of the temple's views on love. There are several basic principles that simmer down to this; if it feels good, it is natural; if you love them, nothing else matters; love does not have to be reserved for a set number of persons; and, above all else, when and if you do find love, pursue it with all your heart, mind, and body.
As I gazed upon him, those teachings echoed in my mind, along with a single, desperate desire to please him. Whether that meant conquering the world or leaving my temple life, or learning the secrets of the Universe, I did not care, for him, I would have, and still would, to this day, though, as many of you are aware, I no longer exist. This would not hinder me.
I love him.
I realize many of you would have said 'loved', and those of you who are 'grammar Nazis' can feel yourselves pressing that review button to comment on this atrocity. Strangely enough, you are the same ones who seek any and all opportunities to bring me down, but before you do, realize that 'loved' insinuates a stopping point. My love for him has no end; it is as infinite as the circle you study so painstakingly in geometry.
Cautiously, oh so cautiously, for I was approaching a heavenly being whom I could easily frighten off, I crept up to him, keeping my voice low and supple as possible as I inquired, "May I help you?"
He squawked, a beautiful, harmonious sound, and spun on his heel to face me, giving me full view of his indescribable features.
"Um, can you direct me to a Master Vachir?"
That voice! By the gods, as it said my name, so respectfully, so submissively, so eloquently, that voice rang the chimes of heaven.
"No formalities, please, you are a guest," I explained, secretly praying with every bit of religious power I held that he would laugh, call me friend, and speak my name again.
"Thank you, M- Vachir," he stuttered, nervously glancing anywhere but up at me.
Of course I noticed his hesitance and asked, as gently as I could, "What is your name?"
The monosyllabic reply reverberated within my mind like the tingling of tiny bells, and it is one name I shall never forget.
"My name is Zeng."