Zerowolf here with chapter 4. So sorry for the late post, just been a little busy that's all. Anyway, I hope you like it and now… On with the story!
Chapter 4
One month earlier...
Far away from the Valley of Peace, beyond many small mountains stood one massive mountain amongst them all, looking almost like a fang coming out the earth. As many houses were carved from the caves that lined the cleft of the mountain. From a distance, some windows, pathways and torches could be seen on the side of cleft walls. Stationed high above, overlooking the homes and businesses of this mountain side village, sat an almost completed stone palace. Just behind the palace, was an open area with some small trees and a wooden training dummy stationed in the center of the space. Standing alone looking off into the distance, was and old, black colored, middle age wolf, with some white fur running down his neck. He was wearing a black tunic with a gold vines pattern going down the center on the front, while on his back, was a golden moon with some vines twisting around each other, like they were trying to reach up to the moon. He was also wearing pants which were also black, but with no patterns on them.
In his hand, he carried a long, black bow staff, with golden vines carved all over it, with two chaps on either end. His name, was Hong Yi, and he was both the village and clan leader. Brought back from his thoughts, Hong Yi turns and walks over to edge of the cleft, he then looks at the staff in his hand letting out a quick sigh. His ear twitched though when he heard an all too familiar voice calling out to him from behind. "Dad! ...you wanted to see me?" asked Zero, who was now walking past the training dummy, and towards his father. Hong Yi turned around with a smile on his face saying, "Yes my son … I have a very important mission that only you can handle." "What!?" Zero asked in surprise, as he continued, "But Dad, you've only started teaching me Kung Fu six months ago! I don't think am ready for a mission yet." Zero then lowered his head as looked to the ground.
Hong Yi then walked up to Zero, his smile never leaving his face, as he place his hand on Zero's shoulder saying, "Zero, my son, you are more than ready. Unfortunately, there is not much that I can teach you, so I'm sending you to the Valley of Peace." Zero then raised his head, looking at his father and asked, "The Valley of Peace?" Hong Yi nodded as he said, "Yes, just after you were born ,when I was just a little older then you are now, a traveler from the valley of peace came to me and said that you were one day to be trained by none other the Dragon Warrior himself, and help him free both his and our people." Zero was now confused but remained quiet as his farther continued, "I didn't believe him at first, but to thanks to the recent events, our people are hated and called criminals and thugs at a first glance." Hong Yi said, as his face now became serious, "Zero you must leave now. I have also noticed that my brother is starting to go against my decision for our people to stay hidden here. My brother may have the best intentions for our people, but I fear he has far too much pride in his own beliefs."
Zero only looked at his father with doubtful eyes, as he opened his mouth to speak, " But Father, I- I don't think I can't do this, not by myself." "Then take my staff with you Zero. It is said that it contains the spirits of our passed forefathers so that they may guide and protect their people always through the new leader." Hong Yi told him, as he presented the staff to Zero with both his hands holding the staff out "Dad, I- I can't… I'm not…" Zero started as he dropped his head once again. Hong Yi then set the staff down and placed both hands on Zero's shoulders, saying, "There's so much I need to tell you my son, but there's not much time, you need to go now." Zero took one last long look at his farther. After a moment He then accepted his father's staff, and quickly turned and left, the only thought running through his head was that he need to get to the valley and fast. Hong Yi watched his son run off as he said to himself, "You'll make a great leader my son…someday."
Entering the clearing from the palace was Hong Quan, a black wolf with a brown patch over his left eye, who was about the same age as Hong Yi. He was wearing a gray training vest with a golden sash and black training pants. Hong Quan was the older brother of Hong Yi. Hong Quan then called out to his brother, "Brother!" Hong Yi turned to his brother as he opened his mouth to speak, "Ah... Hong Quan, have you come to watch the moon with me?" "Enough of your games, I've come for the staff and for you to step down as village and clan leader!" answered Hong Quan, with some rage in his voice. Hong Yi was a little surprised, as he looked at his brother and walked a little closer to the cleft asking, "And just what are you going to do as the clan leader?" Hong Quan only got angrier, as he replied," How long are our people supposed to stay hidden for the mistakes of others? You know and even the remaining pandas knew that we were not responsible for what happened to that village all those years ago, and you still offered to help and protect them from any future attacks! We must now band together and show the nation that the wolves are not to messed with!"
"And then what!?" asked Hong Yi, who was now raising his own voice, "Make the same mistakes as the others? We must not go to war with the empire! I am sorry my brother, but I can no longer grant you your request because I am no longer our clan's leader." When Hong Yi finished, he turned his back to his brother and continued to look up at the moon. "What!?" Asked Hong Quan, who was shocked by what his brother had told him just then. Without really thinking, he rushed his brother and threw a punch at Hong Yi. But his brother was quick and block his punch only to look Hong Quan in his eyes and say," Please brother don't go this." But before Hong Quan could answer, the ground underneath them give way, as the two brothers began to fall down the mountains side. Quickly, Hong Quan dug his claws into the edge of the cliff with one hand while he grabbed Hong Yi's outstretched paw with his free one. Hong Quan looked down at his brother saying," Hong Yi, hold on I can pull us up." Hong Quan shouted as he was trying his best to hold on, Hong Yi only looked at his brother "*sigh* You know you can't do that brother… You must let me go, I won't blame you if you do." "No! Just hold on brother… This is not what I intended t-!" but Hong Quan was interrupted when he noticed his brother had let go of his hand, and he was slipping out of his grip. "No, no no no no! Hong Yi!" cried out Hong Quan in horror, as he watch his brother fall into the mist below as he looked up at Hong Quan, with an accepting smile on his face.
Hong Quan eventually pulled himself up and looked up to the sky, as he was thinking to himself, "I killed him... No, it had to be this way. I must continue on for my people." Hong Quan got up on his feet as he looked over to the cleft one last time before walking off towards the palace, as he wiped away a single tear that fell from his eye. "…Brother…"
Present day...
Zero was now opening his eyes only to hear some people talking over him. "Po, are you sure you don't want to take him to the palace?" Ask Viper who was now at the door of Po's room at his father's noodle shop." Nah, it's ok, I think he's just tired and hungry from traveling. And besides, you know how Tigress gets around strangers." Po answered with a smile. He was holding a hot bowl of noodles in his hands as he stood next to Viper in front of the doorway. Viper only giggled and replied, "True, alright I'm going to meet Monkey and report on our mission to Master Shifu." "Ok Viper, I'll be up there soon." With that said, Viper then left the room, leaving Po all alone with the mysterious wolf.
Po was now walking up to the bedside as he placed the bowl of noodles on the table when he looked at Zero who was now opening his eyes. Zero was getting up when he noticed a hand was going for his shoulder to stop him, but as it neared him, a small yellow spark was felt between the two of them. Po pulled back his hand quickly and look at the wolf suspiciously who seemed to have recovered most of his energy and asked , "Who are you!?" Zero now watched Po with eyes that were just as surprised as the panda's own as he answered, "My name… is Zero." Zero then shook his head and pleaded with the Panda, as he remembered his mission, "Please, you must help me. I must find the Dragon Warrior!"
There it is, I hoped you like it and...
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