Chapter 10: The Dark Moon
Shade tumbled into the icy depths holding onto the Black Crystal. The waves crashed into her as she was carried farther away. Her tiny paws clung onto the crystal as she used it to steer her somewhere safe. But being little and sitting on an even smaller thing was not easy. She looked all around trying to see if there were any shadows she could use. Scanning the area she saw a small shadow of a rock and a tree. Using her paws she pulled the shadows making them stretch and she grabbed onto them like they were a rope. Pulling herself and the crystal onto the shore she shook the water from her fur.
"Man what a ride," Shade said. She stood on her back paws and looked around her. "Where the heck am I?" she asked. Then her ears drooped as sadness filled her heart. Shade remembered how she got in the river and tears fell from her face. "Oh Big Guy how could you possible think I would leave you for Tai-Lung?" she wondered. "I love you Red and Tai-Lung is just my brother," she told the air. Then a determined expression spread across her face. "If I ever get out of this alive I am so giving that dumb ox a good talking too," she said crossing her arms. "Okay Shade focus where are you?" she wondered.
Vast rows of trees surrounded her. The river that once was raging now seemed to calm itself. A rocky cliff stood across the river from where Shade stood. Using her nose she sniffed the air trying to get a scent of her friends. But nothing no trace of her friends. "Let's see if I were my friends then I would go down river and maybe I will find them. But which way is down river?" she asked. Well since I came out this way," Shade said pointing to the right. "Then naturally I should go to the left," she agreed. "Okay let's go find my friends," she said. Picking up the crystal with her paws Shade began to walk down the river to find her friends.
The moon was bright and full and had just set. Tiny rays of light guided Shade and that was her only form of comfort right now. Yet carrying the crystal was difficult but she did. Every few minutes she would stop and sniff the air trying to pick up one of her friend's scents. But nothing and so Shade kept walking.
"Shade, Shade!" Po called as they went down river. His jaded eyes scanning for the tiny mouse but they grew fearful when they didn't see her. Snow and DarkWind had taken to the sky to see if Shade was still in the river. Tigress and the others scanned to different areas to see if Shade got out and was resting somewhere. Red went ahead calling for Shade.
"Shade, Shade where are you?" he called. Tears stung his face for once again his anger got the better of him. And now his sweet Shade is again lost and alone. "I can't lose her not again," he whimpered. Suddenly he was hit upside the head. Red glared and came face to face with Tai-Lung.
"Well I hope you are satisfied you bone head. Shade is gone once again and we lost her and the crystal," Tai-Lung said glaring at him.
"Don't even pretend to act like you care about her! You're the reason we are here to begin with. Shade risked her life to save you and then I find you alone with her trying to woo her from me. And now she is gone!" Red yelled tears falling down his face.
"You are right if Shade didn't save me then I would have died but then we would have never found her and learned of Golden and Shen's true plan. But I do care for Shade, she is a sweet person but I like her as a sister only and I am her brother that is why she saved me. But you are so blind but your anger that you can't see how much that little mouse loves you. Are you so blind that you think Shade would ever leave you for a guy she only knew for what two three days?" Tai-Lung asked. Red went silent as he digested the words Tai-Lung had told him. "I too had something good but I became blinded that I turned on the very ones who loved me. And I see you are doing the same and I won't let you ruin the best thing you have and that is Shade. She loves you despite all your flaws and sees the real you. That little mouse looked at a true monster and saw the hero I could be. Don't you think you should give her a smidge of credit for her loyalty?" Tai-Lung asked.
"I saw a vision of you and Shade and she said that she fell for you. That you two were planning on running off together. That is how I got trapped in that tar pit and ever since I was afraid it would come true," Red said.
"Well it won't this place was messing with your mind. I don't love Shade like that nor would I take her from you. Shade spoke the truth when she told you I had feelings for Harmony. If you don't want to believe me than at least believe her," Tai-Lung said firmly.
"You, you are right I apologize now please help me find Shade," Red said his temper fading.
"I give you my word that I will help you find her," Tai-Lung vowed. The two males broke apart and Harmony whispered to Tai-Lung.
"So, you love me huh? Okay then Spotty, if you are willing to take a chance on me I will do the same for you. But if you ever cheat on me I will personally kick your ass," Harmony said smirking. Then in a quick motion she locked lips with him and then walked away. Tai-Lung had the biggest smile on his face and followed her to continue the search for Shade.
Shade was down river and put the crystal down. "Whew I am beat, five minute rest then I will search for the others," Shade said.
"I am afraid you won't be getting any breaks," said a velvet voice. Before Shade could react vines wrapped around her tying her up, and out of the shadows came Golden and Shen.
"Ah the Black Crystal at long last it is ours," Shen said stroking the crystal.
"Thank you little Shade, you have been most helpful. Now my love time to release the Seven Demons and conquer all of China," Golden said.
"You can't release them the Dark Moon isn't up yet and my friends will find me!" Shade yelled.
"Silly mouse why do you think we needed the Black Crystal, see Shen I told you I felt some little ears listening. Not nice to be an ease dropper my dear," Golden scolded gently to Shade. The Black Crystal glowed when Golden touched it and she raised it at the very moon. A dark ray of light flew out of the crystal covering the moon in utter darkness.
"No, it can't be no!" Shade yelled shaking her head.
"Shade!" Red yelled as he flew out of the darkness.
"Red, stop them they have the crystal," Shade said.
"Dear could you hold this while I deal with our guests," Golden asked him.
"Of course my sweet Golden," Shen said. In a quick motion the gang was locked in a golden force field. DarkWind tried to scream to set them free but it wasn't working.
"There now you all behave and wait for the grand finale," Golden said.
"Set the demons free my love," Shen said growing excited.
Golden took the crystal and in a loud and clear voice she yelled, "Seven Demons from the depths of evil arise and walk the Earth again!" The Dark Moon glowed and sent rays of black light to the ground, trees, and waters. A horrible rumbling was heard. The ground cracked and the water boiled. Trees began to moan and creak. Then seven horrible cries were heard and Golden and Shen smiled.
"The Seven Demons are freed at last," Shen said smiling wickedly.
Author's Note: Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and please review.