~The Darkness Within~
-Chapter 01: Invasion Begins-
It was early morning at Gongmen city. The weather was misty and cloudy, although day's first sunrays were already coloring the sky red.
Red was also the color of the mighty ship's twin sails, with a black symbol sewed in them. The symbol resembled a radiating sun, except for the fact that it was black.
The ship floated out of a narrow canal into the open harbor through smoldering wreckages of some smaller ships. It was followed by tens of smaller ships, similar to the wrecked ones. The common factor with all the ships were that they all carried dozens and dozens of well armed- and armored wolf soldiers, and that they were each armed with a single cannon.
The cannons were made of iron, and they were skillfully crafted to look like fierce animal heads, like crocodiles or panthers. Most intimidating of them, though, was the biggest one aboard the flagship; it was shaped like a dragon. Onboard the flagship was also another notable figure, not any less intimidating than the cannon.
The figure was Lord Shen, the inventor of the cannons.
Lord Shen was an Indian peacock, but not quite normal, as his feathers were all pure white, except the markings on his crest and train, which were blood red, and the eyespots in his train, which were black. He was wearing light grey robes made of the finest silk in the province, with complex ornate patterns embroidered in. He had the kind of a smirk on his beak that indicated he had just accomplished something great.
Shen laughed.
He looked at the miserable, beaten figures in the water that were holding some pieces of debris from the destroyed ships to stay afloat. The center of his attention was one of the figures, a panda.
"Some kung fu masters you are…" he stated, mostly to himself.
He had proved the Soothsayer wrong. The prophecy was rubbish after all. The panda, 'the warrior of black and white,' that was destined to defeat him had failed. Oh, how he had waited for this moment. Over thirty years of planning, and now he was sailing to take what was rightfully his
Shen instructed the wolf in control to take the ship a little closer to the panda. Then he walked to the reel to grab the panda's attention.
Their gazes met for a brief moment; then the warrior looked down.
"See? Your precious kung fu is no match to my cannons", Shen sneered, wicked laughter present in his voice. Seeing the dragon warrior so totally defeated both physically and in spirit only made Shen feel better. He could take one of his knifes and finish the panda now… or he could let him live in shame.
The latter sound better.
"It's your luck, panda", Shen said slowly, "that I have a whole China to conquer. I can't waste my time on you anymore. BUT. If you ever show your thick skull to me again, I'll make sure that it will be the END. Do you understand?"
The panda just stared silently.
"Good." Shen tugged his wings in the sleeves. "Run him over", he added casually to the helmsman.
Shen snickered as the panda's green eyes widened, and he dove to avoid collision with the massive vessel. All the kung fu masters watched helplessly as the fleet departed Gongmen.
Shen turned around to boast his achievement to the Boss wolf, but then he remembered he had killed him just moments before. Oh well. It was just an… unfortunate stain in his otherwise perfect victory. Mourning the dead was meaningless, especially if they were of traitorous sort. Shen himself would only look forward, and there he had a lot to look at.
Darkness had fallen and the fleet sailed the river to North with no lights. They didn't want to attract any attention, even though it was unlikely that anyone spotting them would make it in time to alert their target of their arrival.
Only trace of light came from the captain's quarters of Lord Shen's flagship. Shen had called his three highest-ranking officers to go through the battle plans. They had gathered around a table which had a huge map of China laid out on it.
One of the officers, a hulking brute of a wolf, named Bao Nu, pointed to a location on the map.
"…This is where the river is taking us. The province of Mi. Their military strength is laughable, and we should be able to secure the whole province in a few days", Bao Nu reported with his always-harsh voice.
"Yes, but then we have choices to make", a smaller and thinner, but equally deadly-looking wolf called Liu Hua, continued. "To the East of Mi, across the vast marshes, lies the province of Fei Cui. It's small, doesn't have an army and it's very rich. But if we go that way, we'll lose a lot of time. Maybe even a week. In that time our momentum is gone, other provinces will be prepared, and we'll have hard time a lot earlier than expected. Too early."
"But at North we'll face an alliance of five provinces", the third officer, Shang Si, said and pointed the locations on the map. "Mi and Fei Cui are also part of the alliance, but I don't count them in because they make no difference."
Liu Hua took over: "The best course of action is to continue to North from Mi, to the Lin province, and strike them down fast and hard. Although they're not even close to being the strongest province in the alliance, their quick defeat will crush the morale of others - allowing us to conquer all five provinces with relative ease."
The officers were now done, and they turned towards Shen, waiting for him to announce his opinion. Shen mused over the options for a moment. This was it. This was his dream. Or rather, the way to his dream. Anyways, he had to be sharp and make no mistakes. He had superior weapons, true, but his army wasn't exactly the biggest around. He had to strike fast, he had to strike hard, and conquer as many provinces as he could before the imperial army would be alerted and mobilized against him. When that time comes, he'd have to be ready. There were no other options. Coming back to the decision he had to make now; it wasn't a hard one. He could really use the wealth of Fei Cui but the risk was too much. The alliance had to be crushed first.
Shen cleared his throat. "This is what we do: after securing Mi, we'll proceed to sail down the river to Lin, and we'll make its downfall an example to the other members of the alliance. Any questions?"
"No, sir!" The three wolves said in unison.
"Excellent. Now go get the men prepared, we should arrive to Mi City at dawn. Oh, and one more thing, since you, Bao Nu, are so sure that Mi falls quickly: I expect the city to be secured at the time I've made my way to the city hall. Understood?"
"Yes, sir!" The wolf's strong voice echoed in the cabin.
"Good. Dismissed."
The canines bowed and left the cabin. Shen rolled up the map and stored it into his drawer. From the window he could see the sky getting lighter in color already. His great victory would begin soon, and it would begin with fire.
The ominous sound of metal clicking against stone echoed in the suddenly abandoned streets of Mi City. If it hadn't been for the terrified, fleeing and screaming citizens or the thundering cannons of the fleet at the harbor, it'd have looked like the white peacock was just having a casual stroll at the city.
But alas, the cannons were pounding everything at sight and the civilians were running for their lives, and lord Shen was a conqueror on the way to claim his reward. The shooting was, of course, only for a show, as Shen could have dealt with the city guards with only a few dozen wolves. But, Shen loved shows when it came to fire and explosions, and thus the cannons continued their pounding.
Shen walked along a beautifully decorated street leading from the docks to the center of the city, where stood the grand city hall. That was where the Mi's ruler was ought to be, and so that was also where Shen was heading.
There was no one at sight, which wasn't surprising at all. His wolves had already spread through the city, eliminating the remaining guards and making sure everyone stays inside. Order had to be established. It was simple, really. First you root out the old order, and then place the new one. The quicker the change is, the better the result. The citizens would need some sort of motivation to follow his rules, but Shen had that already solved. He would do it the old-fashioned way.
Shen arrived at the central plaza and got first sights of the city hall. It was large, three-storey building with giant, golden dragon heads decorating the corners of the roof and one more painted at the huge double doors. He snorted. Such a mighty display of power, and still, judging by everything he knew of governor Chang he was a coward. A coward that was now hiding in his hole, probably surrounded with his most trusted guards.
That was what Shen expected of Chang and that was also what his wolves had already confirmed. But as he had ordered, no one was allowed to break in expect Shen himself. After all, what was the point in claiming your happiness, if you didn't have any fun?
Governor Chang was just a little, old goose, and the recent, much unexpected and very horrible turn of events had made the bird get grey feathers. Or would've had, if he hadn't been totally grey in color already.
Being the, eh, not so brave person he was, he had taken the best guards with him and holed in the city hall as soon as he had seen the armada arriving at the harbor and somehow making the city burst in flames.
The hostiles had arrived from the direction of Gongmen, but as far as he knew, it was ruled by a council of peaceful kung fu masters, and he had never seen the symbol that was on the biggest ship's sails before. So Chang didn't know who he was dealing with, but he certainly knew what he was dealing with; the sound of howling wolves was unmistakable. There appeared to be about thousand of them, which was a thousand too many for his city guards.
Chang watched nervously as his antelope guards carried furniture to block the doors of the governor's office. It wouldn't hold for long, but Chang was panicking and didn't know what else to do. Mi was a peaceful province that didn't have any armed forces to repel the invaders. Chang trusted that their northern allies would come to help if something would threaten the province.
But this was far too quick; there had been no any kind of warning at all.
"Sir", the guardsmen captain, a strongly built antelope with long horns and vicious-looking halberd, said, "we have done everything possible to fortify this room, but that won't hold for long."
Chang gulped nervously. He glanced at the windows, of which shutters were closed and barred. They were on the top floor so it wasn't likely that anyone would be coming through there, but it was still better to be safe than sorry.
Just when he was about to say something reassuring to his men, something knocked against the door.
"What was that?" Chang yelped in a squeaky voice.
All the guards gathered closer to the door, listening to the sounds coming from outside, alarmed.
There was nothing to be heard.
Chang resisted the urge to bite his wingtips out of nervousness. He would've been sweating hard had that been physically possible. Seconds went on soundlessly. Chang found himself relaxing very slightly.
"Guess it was nothing, eh, all the nervousness makes your imagination run wild!"
Just as he finished the sentence something crashed against the window shutters. There was a flash of steel and then the shutters flew open. There was a white figure of some kind of bird standing on the frame, with sunlight shining from behind in a way it made a golden hue around the figure. But what really got Chang's attention were the knives that the bird was holding in its wings.
"Get him!" Chang screamed frantically as he dove for cover under his desk. He heard the guards charging towards the intruder, and then he heard some thuds and clanks of bodies collapsing and weapons falling.
He heard the angry grunt of the guardsmen captain and the noise of the following melee fight. It ended soon and abruptly, and Chang didn't dear to turn around to look at the outcome. Then he heard a voice addressing him that sent chills down his spine.
"Good morning, governor Chang. I know my visit came a little unexpected, but it still isn't polite to hide under the table."
A clinking sound of footsteps came closer to the desk and Chang found his heart beating so much faster.
"It would be very unfortunate if I had to drag you out from there, so could you please face me?" The voice demanded, still being very polite and very chilling.
Chang decided that it would best for his health to obey the voice, so he slowly backed away from under the table and stood up. Then, trying to hide the trembling of his wings, he turned to face the intruder. What he saw was a tall, white peacock in a light gray colored robes and a bladed staff in his wings. The peacock's eyes were crimson red as were the markings in his crest and train feathers. Behind him Chang saw the bodies of the guards lying on the floor, with long, silvery knife in each guard's throat.
"What is it; don't you remember me, Chang?" The peacock questioned.
Perhaps it was due to the very stressing situation, but Chang didn't remember ever seeing this white peacock. Only white peafowl he had ever seen was the chick of late lord and lady of Gongmen – and from what he knew the prince had been banished ages ago. Swearing revenge… it couldn't be?
"Shen?" He asked in a weak voice.
"Actually, it's lord now", the peacock answered casually, while moving his wingtip along the smoothly curved edge of his blade. This didn't help Chang to calm down at all. "You see, I have this little problem, and I need your help in solving it, Chang", Shen stated and took a step closer to the goose.
"H-how can I h-h-help?" Chang stuttered.
"I need you to assure that you understand a few facts first", Shen announced to the frightened waterfowl. "Just to get the pleasantries out of the way."
"Anyways, you can trust me when I say that my wolves had secured the whole city by now. In other words, Mi City is under my control." Shen's eyes glinted in a way that could be described as mad. "Unless anyone, namely you, objects, I am the rightful ruler of this province from now on."
Shen waited for response.
"I-I can't let –" The goose tried nervously.
Shen's eyes widened as his face turned into a cold warning, daring Chang to say one more word.
"I m-mean, of-of course you a-are", Chang sighed, apparently disappointed to himself.
Slowly Shen's expression faded back into the neutral but excited one he had had. "From this point on, Mi ceases to exist as a province, and the territory is merged to form a great province of Gongmen!" The mad glint was now visible again, until suddenly Shen begun to frown. "Unfortunately, I won't be able to get things rolling here in the way I like", the white peacock paced in circle now. "You see, I will be the emperor of whole China, and I don't have time to manage small pitiful places like this. I need someone to manage it for me. Someone who knows these people and can make them adjust to my will without any kind of… inconvenient distractions."
Shen stopped and turned to face the now ex-governor again. Chang gulped. He didn't like the gaze of those crimson red eyes at all. Something insane and endlessly ambitious was living behind them. Lord Shen was definitely out of his mind, but in a way that made him only much more dangerous. Unpredictable.
"I have one question to you Chang, and think carefully before you answer." The peacock was handling the shiny blade of his lance again. "The question is; are you the person I'm looking for?"
Chang had seen that coming for a short moment now. He knew what lord Shen asked from him: to become a puppet leader, just a mask for the peacock's will, a mindless doll leading his people to a certain doom, for that was what would happen under the maniac's rule. How could Chang ever do that to his people? He wanted to say no, he really did… but it was too clear what would happen should he do that.
"I… I a-am." Now the stuttering didn't come from fear but from self-disapproval.
"Good", Shen almost smiled. "I suggest that you'll gather the citizens to calm them down and tell them that some of my wolves will stay here to ensure the safety of this province. You tell them to continue their daily routines in peace. My officer will make sure that the city's income is directed to the war effort, and that you do according to any requests I might have."
"Do all this, no delays, no mistakes, nor excuses, and it's possible that you'll never have to face me again. Fail to meet the terms…" Shen didn't have to finish the sentence; the way which he looked at Chang was enough. "Am. I. Clear?"
"Y-y-yes, a-absolutely", the goose nodded his head furiously.
"Excellent." Shen walked back to the window from which he had broken in, collecting his knives along the way. Shen gave a disapproving glance around the room. "By the way, you might want to get somebody to clean around here, it's quite messy", the peacock stated and jumped out of the window, leaving one internally conflicted and defeated goose behind.
As soon as Shen's metal covered feet touched the paved ground of the plaza, his three generals were at his side. They saluted him and then Bao Nu proceeded to give his report:
"Sir, all the guards have been eliminated. The city is secured. We have three wounded, no casualties. The fires ignited by cannon fire are under control", the brutish wolf barked.
"I didn't expect anything less from you", Shen stated simply. He turned to the smaller wolf: "Shang Si."
"Sir?"
"I want you to stay here with a company of wolves to make sure that governor Chang stays in line and preventing other kinds of uprisings. Two more companies will be assigned to securing and later patrolling the countryside; they are under your command too."
Shang didn't seem to be pleased with this order, but he didn't dear to voice it. "As you wish, Sir." Shang bowed and left to gather the companies.
Shen used a moment to look around. This all was now his, although he wouldn't be staying here for much longer. Today the province of Mi, tomorrow all of China! Or, at least, Lin province. This reminded him of the fact that they would, most likely, experience some casualties there. Lin had a battalion-level unit of boars after all. He would need some intelligence information before moving in with the fleet.
"Liu Hua, assign a scouting party of ten of your swiftest wolves and send them to Lin within an hour. I need to know the exact strength and placement of the enemy troops, and also if they are expecting us or not. Tell them to report back to the fleet ten clicks South of Lin at sunset tomorrow," the peacock lord commanded.
The sly wolf saluted and hurried to fill the order.
Shen eyed the remaining general. The towering wolf didn't flinch under his measuring gaze. Shen approved that.
"The battle of Lin will decide if you or Liu Hua will be the next alpha", Shen talked directly to Bao Nu. The canine's gaze became more intense and focused. "I must admit that I have a slight favor towards you. But if Liu Hua proves to be more capable, I have no hesitation in promoting him instead. Don't disappoint me."
Bao grunted.
"Now it's time to prepare for leaving this place. Call in the wolves", Shen ordered.
The general released a long, loud howl.
The only light in Shen's quarters came from an almost burnt-out candle standing on his desk next to an outstretched map of Lin province. Shen himself was observing the defensive positions marked on the map according to the scouts' information.
The Lin's capital was built around the river they were sailing, so the fleet had direct access to the center of the city. The city's founders were obviously been more concerned of getting good trading routes than about the security of their people. Shen didn't care; it was making his 'job' easier. Even though the city had walls and was well equipped to hold against invaders; they could even block the river with huge iron-rail gates. Still, they wouldn't be able to stop him. Nor could they really even slow him down. His cannons would crush them like an iron boot squashes bugs.
At the dawn, sun would rise to reveal that Lin is no more… and Shen would finally begin to get the respect he deserved.
A/N: The first 'proper' chapter... kinda like an introduction to the story's setting, which deviates from the end of the movie as you surely noticed. At first this chapter was supposed to cover also the invasion of Lin, but I thought there'd be too many events in one chapter. And there's already enough scene/pow changes in this chapter.
In the case you wonder if this has anything to do with the prologue, worry not. It will all connect in a few chapters.
Also, reviews would be highly appreciated. Thanks! ^^