(Nineteen! Yes I know they seem rushed. Even I feel that they are rushed. But I think I'm building up something. Anyways, Tai Lung and Zhang Liao's Allegiance still stands strong. The Dragon Warrior Ceremony is very near and Tai and Zhang find fun in this. Next Chapter will be the Dragon Warrior's Announcement and Tai Lung's Escape)

Chapter Nineteen: The Ceremony of the Dragon Warrior
It has been twenty years since Tai Lung was imprisoned in the Prison. Zhang Liao had worked in the prison for sixteen years.
Zhang Liao, unlike Tai Lung, keeps in contact with the outside world. He told Tai Lung of events that the outside world had. Recent news was about the Furious Five being formed.

Zhang Liao,
You're not going to believe this. There's going to be another Ceremony! The Furious Five are going to showcase their skills at the Jade Palace! This is a big event, unlike all the others! They will announce the Dragon Warrior! I might not go though. I asked Po to tell me everything if he goes and I'm sure he will. He's a… fanatic I believe.
I hope nothing bad will happen though. Last time the ceremony happened, I nearly lost you. When will you be coming back? We miss you.

Ping

"Sooner than you think, Ping…" Zhang Liao thought as he took the familiar lift down to Tai Lung's cell. Roc was not with him this time. Vachir was somewhere else as well.
"The commander must be doing something with the other guards… Or with Roc, seeing as both of them seem to be missing," Zhang Liao thought to himself.

Zhang Liao arrived at the cell with no trouble. His mane was at this point fully grown as he was clear past his thirties. He is thirty-four now but will turn thirty-five in a few weeks.

"Greetings, Master Zhang Liao," Tai Lung formally greeted his friend.
"Must I tell everyone not to call me Master? It makes me sound old," Liao said with a soft laugh.
"Well, you aren't getting any younger. You almost look like me now," Tai Lung said.
"Well you're getting older too. How do you stay young though?" Liao asked his friend.
"It's in the food you give me. You know how to keep me well and healthy unlike any of the ignorant fools," Tai Lung grinned at his friend.
"Although I constantly wish that I could unlock those things that keep you tied down. It must be a pain," Liao admitted many times that he could do so.
"You do not need to worry about me; I can take care of myself. Rest assured, Master Liao, I have not lost any of my prowess," Tai Lung assured his friend that he was still strong.

"My friend, I bring news once more from the outside… They are to announce the new Dragon Warrior. The Furious Five will showcase their skill to the public," Liao shared the news from the outside. He always did so every time he heard from one of his contacts. Lately Viper and Tigress have not written. Meng Lao had gone missing and Hei Li went out to look for him. Hei Tong was sick at his hometown. Ping was his only contact now.

"So, they will announce the new Dragon Warrior… My friend, this will be fun for the both of us," Tai Lung grinned at the news. Zhang Liao nodded, admitting that it will be fun.
"The competition surely is heating up. The new Dragon Warrior will surely bring up the fun. The Valley has been boring," Liao admitted.
"Shh, be quiet… Sounds like Vachir is heading our way…" Liao heard Vachir coming down. He thought that the commander was somewhere else.

"Guard, attention!" Vachir seemed tense as Zhang Liao simply saluted and stood straight.
"You seem tense, commander. What's bothering you, sir?" Liao's lack of formality didn't bother Vachir.
"Reports in and out are driving me mad! Inventory, food, guard duties, aah!" Vachir was tired of his duties but never gave up on them.
"Rest assured, commander, guard duty with Tai Lung is still uneventful," Liao reported in.
"Good, make sure the scum doesn't try anything! Carry on!" Vachir nodded as he left them.
"Oh, just let me get my paws on that ignorant, arrogant…" Tai Lung was silenced by Liao's tail.
"Silence, my friend, you will have your time as will I. Patience is our key," Liao told his friend.
"Well, why don't you just unlock me so we can have that time?" Tai Lung suggested a simple yet effective idea since Liao worked as a guard.
"Very simple, I don't know where the keys to that contraption of yours are," Liao admitted.

"I see, I understand," Tai Lung understood Liao's logic.
"Now, the time will come when someone will get careless and we will have our freedom. Then, we can have fun with the Furious Five and the Dragon Warrior. Our names will once again be known throughout the land!" Liao put back the grin to Tai Lung's face.