Chapter 5: A Chilling Tale
"Shade, where have you been?" Po asked going up to her.
"Well I wound up here and began looking around," Shade said. "While I was searching for a way to get out I heard shouting. It sounded like Red so I ran as fast as I could my shadows helped me. I saw Red, Snow, and Dark Wind trapped in that goo pit. So, I just used the shadows to form my shadow soldier and got them out. By the way are you two okay?" Shade asked looking at Snow and Dark Wind.
"My wings feel sticky but I am okay," Snow said smiling.
"A bit sore but I am okay," Dark Wind told her.
"Oh good I am just glad everyone is okay," Shade said smiling.
"Okay we found Shade now let's get out of here," Tigress said. This place was creeping her out and the sooner they left the better.
"Hold on Stripes, Shade did you see anyone else here while you were looking for us?" Harmony asked.
"Unfortunately yes, Golden is here and I managed to escape her before she saw me and you won't believe me but Shen is here too," Shade said her face full of fright.
"Tell us everything Shade," Tai-Lung said getting closer to her. Red glared and held Shade farther away from him. Shade jumped over to Tai-Lung's open palm much to Red's dismay.
"Big Guy no one can hear me if I am away from them. Tai-Lung stay in the middle so everyone can hear me please," Shade said.
"Sure Shade now what did you hear?" Tai-Lung asked. Shade nodded her head and began her chilling tale and the information she gained.
I was all alone in the darkened woods. Trying to find a way out when I heard voices. Standing in the clearing was Golden. My body froze in terror as I hid under the bushes. I was about to run for it when to my surprise I saw Shen. At first I thought he was going to fight Golden since she killed him. Instead he smiled at her and embraced her as she kissed him. "Our plan worked my dear Golden," Shen said.
"Yes my love it broke my heart when I had to kill you," Golden said stroking his feathers.
"I know but now we are here and now we can find our true weapon," Shen said rubbing his hands eagerly. "Now are you sure the Dark Crystal is here?" he asked.
"Yes, my love and so are the Seven Demons, all we have to do is find the Dark Crystal before the dark moon sets then we can release them from their prison and you will be unstoppable, "Golden said.
"No we shall be unstoppable," Shen said holding her paws. "How long do we have before the Dark Moon?" he questioned.
"It will be in four days' time and then the portal from the blood pond will open and we can go home and rule all," Golden said.
"Well then let's go and find this Dark Crystal," Shen said. Just then I slowly backed away but my tiny paw stepped on a twig snapping it.
"Someone is here," Golden growled. She walked over to the bushes where I was hiding. I placed a hand over my mouth going deeper into the shadows. Hoping she would not see me.
"Never mind Golden it was probably the wind we have a Dark Crystal to find," Shen said and Golden moved away and I stayed till I couldn't hear their footsteps anymore. I breathed deeply and I knew I had to stop them so I went the opposite direction looking for this Dark Crystal. During my search I heard Red and found you guys," Shade said finishing her story.
"So much for going home, we have to stop those two," Tigress growled.
"Wait Shade did you say the Dark Crystal and the Seven Demons?" Snow asked her face paler than normal.
"Yes, do you know something about it Snow?" Shade asked.
"Long ago when Camille and I lived in the village I was doing some late night reading and I read of a legend. Long ago when the world was new there were seven horrible creatures that roamed the Earth. They destroyed everything in their path till one day. A mighty sorcerer used a magic crystal during a dark moon trapping all the demons into a mystic land where no human could go unless by death or by magic. He also threw the Dark Crystal in there as well so no one could release them. But it was said that if a person did manage to get to this unknown world and found the Dark Crystal then only by the power of the Dark Moon could these demons be released and once they were the Earth would forever be in utter darkness and despair," Snow told them.
"So unless we find this Dark Crystal then the world will be destroyed?" Camille asked.
"Yes," Snow said.
"Okay then we have a crystal to find," Speedy said.
"Agreed, Shade did Golden say where the Crystal was located?" Po asked.
"No," Shade said her head drooping.
"Hey buck up mousy we will find the crystal," Tai-Lung said smiling at her. Shade smiled at him feeling better.
"Yeah come here Shade you need to rest," Red said taking Shade from Tai-Lung's palm and placed her on his shoulder.
"Um okay Big Guy," Shade said falling asleep for she was tired. Tai-Lung looked away not wanting to say anything.
"I hate to say this but we should split up into two groups so we can find this Dark Crystal before Golden and Shen do," Po said. "Dark Wind, Speedy, Camille, Snow, and I will go this way," Po said pointing to the left side. "Tigress, Harmony, Red, Shade, and Tai-Lung you all will take the right side," he added.
"No Po I am going with you," Tigress said firmly.
"Ti, I know you want to be with me but this is what is best," Po assured her.
"I don't think that is a good idea either pan-I mean Po," Tai-Lung said. He knew Red and Tigress wouldn't want him to come with them. Harmony, he would love to spend more time with her for she seemed so beautiful and like Shade saw the good in him. Shade would love for him to come as well.
"Believe me I know what I am doing," Po said. Harmony looked at Po for she sensed something like Po was splitting them up this way for a reason.
"Bro I need to speak with you in private," Harmony said. They walked to a tree and Harmony looked at him and said, "You are splitting us up this way for another reason. You want Red, Tigress to travel with Tai-Lung".
"Yes, it is true Red still blames Tai-Lung for Shade's death and Tai-Lung is trying to be good again. With Shade there believing in him, Red will see her death wasn't Tai-Lung's fault. As for Tigress, her and Tai-Lung need to talk so when we get out of here they can help each other by patching things up with Shifu and you are going to referee in case my plan fails," Po said. Well the last part was half true he wanted Harmony to go to spend more time with Tai-Lung. He knew Tai-Lung liked her and she liked him. Now Po would never allow Tai-Lung near his sister or his other family. But when Shade talked to Tai-Lung it was like the darkness in his heart was diminished and Harmony would keep it that way.
"You realize you are playing a dangerous game Po?" Harmony told him worried her brother's plan would backfire immensely.
"I know but I have to try so be careful," Po told her.
"I will and you be careful too," Harmony said hugging him. He hugged her back and they rejoined the group. Tigress stood before Po with a worried look.
"You better be careful or I will beat the crap out of you if we survive this," Tigress hissed.
"Whatever you say kitten," Po said smiling. Tigress just seized him by the shoulders and kissed him. Shedding tears as they parted and soon the two groups went in their directions, as they began their search for the Dark Crystal.
Author's Note: Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and please review.