Authors Note: We'll be taking a step away from our main protagonists for a little while in this chapter. If you haven't read the Prolouge and Kung Fu Panda: Origins I recommend going back and taking a look at both before reading chapter 3.
Chapter 3:
The Kung Fu Inn
"Beware lest you lose the substance by grasping at the shadow."
-Aesop
It was an eerily quiet night in the Jilin province perhaps do to the frigid sub artic air or the tales running rampant of evil spirits roaming the country side seeking to devour the souls of the innocent. Unbeknownst to the occupants of the quaint Changbaishan village the cool mountain breeze had brought with it a force of unspeakable evil, shadows of a darker era where blood lust was welcome if not an encouraged enterprise. A rickety sign emanated shrill grinding squeaks as it battered against it's post, at the mercy of the northern winds. "Ānwèi Inn. This seems as good a place to post up for the night." Five hooded figures stood beneath the sign outside a rather dilapidated hostile.
Inside the Ānwèi Inn the sound of pipa faintly played over the dull roar of patrons devouring fresh plates of soup, swilling down pints, and gambling away their weekly savings. "Come on six!" A ragged pig yelled as he threw down a pair of dice. The two ivory cubes clattered against the stone floor halting on a two and three. "Looks like your farms mine Chung!" A large oxen leaned across the table holding his hoof open for the pig farmers deed. "I'll uh… get it to you tomorrow Long." The pig farmer bid a hasty retreat toward the door. "Hold it!" Chung stopped dead in his tracks, a look of dread crept across his oval face. He contemplated dashing out the door without looking back though he knew better. Liang would most certainly have his lackeys track him down or perhaps even torment his wife and children. The pig farmer slowly turned around pushing his quaking frame against the Ironwood door. "You wouldn't be holding out on a bet now would you?" The smooth southern drawl crept through the terrified pigs brain like the tentacles of some grotesque creature rising from the depths of hell. "Liang…I was …was just going to get the deed." "Tisk…tisk ….tisk if I had a yuan for every time I've heard that one I'd be a much richer man."
The Siberian weasel eyed the petrified pig, motioning to two massive bison to block his escape. Liang was visibly the proprietor of the Ānwèi Inn, dressed in a sapphire blue hanfu and comfortably seated on a gold embroidered chair flanked by two shapely female snow leopards dressed in tight ruby cheongsams. "No, you have to believe me Liang I…I would never walk out on a bet." "Mhm, yes an honest farmer like you surely wouldn't try to swindle this oxen…Long is it?" The weasels steely brown irises narrowed as he looked down on Chung. "Ya see…" Liang took a small corn cob pipe from his hanfu never once removing his gaze from the pig. "I can't have people running out without paying for their evening enjoyment now. I mean what kinda of a place would this be if people weren't rewarded for their questionable practices am right?!" The crowd of derelicts answered the regal weasel with hoots and hollers. Liang raised his paw to silence the crowd as he bit down on the un-lit pipe contemplating his next course of action. "Now the way I see it I could trust you partner and let ya scurry on back to your ole farm or I could make an example out of you. You understand I can't have my Inn here gettin' a bad rep?" Chung fell to his knees quivering at what unspeakable fate awaited him at the hands of Liang's goons. "P-Please Liang give me a chance, I promise I'll be back here with the deed in a flash!" Click click click. Liang ruminated on the pig's promise as he continued gnawing on the empty pipe. "Tell ya what partner…I'll let cha go on back to your nice wife and daughters if you solemnly promise to bring that there deed back with you, post haste…post haste mind you." Chung began to cry groveling before the benevolent proprietor. "Oh Liang thank you, thank you so much, I'm your humble servant!" Liang began drumming his arm rest with the his corn cob pipe. "Ain't no need for that Chung. Now be on your way an give my regards to your family." With that the farmer sauntered out the door never once looking back. "Now ain't I such a nice ole feller for lettin' Mr. Chung leave?!" "Yeah let's hear it for Liang!" The Inn crowd cheered for their generous host. Liang then motioned to the two bison guards who quietly followed Chung out the door.
Chung scrambled out of the Inn navigating his way toward a side alley, he could barely breath after that close call with Liang. He pondered the thought of leaving town with his family as quickly as possible, surely Liang would catch on to his ruse, but he could afford at least a half hour to pack his belongings. Suddenly one of Liang's bison lackey's appeared at the entrance to the alley, an evil smirk across his ashen lips. "You should've anteed up pig."
Chung's heart sank as the futility of his escape set in. "I-I told Liang I'd get him the deed. He let me go…you…heard him." "Yeah see that's the problem with Mr. Liang.." The pig swung around horrified at the sight of the second bison, slowly sharpening a dagger directly behind. "But I…I…PLEASE LET ME AT LEAST SAY GOODBYE TO MY FAMILY!" "He never truly say's what he means. What's the word Da?" "Passive aggressive Lnie!" "That's right…passive aggressive…you know one weasel you know them all…catch my drift pig? As for your wife and little kiddies they'll be spending some quality time as Mr. Liang's servants." Chung by now had collapsed, stricken with grief by the thought of that slimy creature using his wife and daughters as slaves. "HERE…YOU-YOU WANT THE DEED RIGHT?" The pig reached into his coat pocket clenching on the paper to all his worldly belongings. He flung it toward one of the bison guards, inching ever closer to him. "TAKE IT! IT'S YOUR'S JUST LEAVE MY FAMILY ALONE!" Without missing a beat Da smashed his hoof down on the parchment. "Sorry piggy it's to late for that now." Lnie revealed a black silk sack. "PLEASE WAIT PLEASE PLEASE PLEA-!" Chung's writhing body was dragged back into the shadows by the two bison.
"I like this place already!" one of the hooded figures chuckled as they watched the farmer dragged to his certain doom. Patrons took little notice of the five mysterious cloaked individuals as they entered the Ānwèi Inn. "Good evening, my name is Chan-juan, how may I be of assistance?" The overly cheery snow leopardess was in stark contrast to the miserable villagers peddling their belongings, gambling, and arguing over whose wives were the worst. "Ah, yes hello miss Chan-juan. I'd like five rooms for my friends and I tonight." The leader of these cloaked strangers lowered his hood revealing the visage of a young white tailed eagle. Chang-juan's heart skipped a beat at the sight of such an attractive young man. Rarely if ever did she and her sisters have such pristine clientele, every day was usually filled with filthy farmers and bandits shouting obscenities but this young eagle looked almost kingly and spoke with an eloquence she'd not heard since her time in Peking. "I-uh certainly, just one moment please handsome-I mean sir." The leopardess fumbled with the key ring as she thought of how to approach the handsome stranger. Who the heck are these guy's, from their clothes I'd figure their from nobility. I mean who wears a gold embroidered jade cloak with dragons on it around these parts? Get a grip Juan…buy a drink for em' ask him to get you out of this cesspit. No! You just met the this dude who knows who he could be. Maybe he's like the Emperors distant cousin or somthin'- "Excuse me miss."
Chang-juan was snapped out of her mental dialogue by that deep almost ethereal voice which sent shivers down her tail and raised her fur. "Uh yes sir, here is our…I mean your key's. Sorry about the wait." The eagle looked into her smokey blue eye's with two piercing yellow pupils which gave off a warm glow, filling the felines stomach with butterflies. "Oh it's quite alright Chan-juan. Might I ask you a question?" The snow leopardess felt her knees begin to give out under the perpetual flood of emotions. "Uh…uh." What are you doing Juan? Say yes, he's probably going to offer me a drink. Oh my god he's sooo hot! Snap out of it! Chan-juan struggled with her almost primal urge for affection from this stranger. "Certainly….what is it sir?" "Please call me Xaili. I was wondering…." Oh god here it comes! The white tailed eagle placed what looked to be a centuries old map across the counter. "How far exactly the Garnet Palace is from here?" What the heck he want's directions. Directions?! "Let me see now…" Chan-juan leaned over the counter looking down at the map which had black X's strewn across various areas, The Ruby Palace, The Garnet Palace, and The Jade Palace. Who the heck are these guy's? The snow leopardess placed her paw on their current location. "Well right now your in Jilin province Xaili, if you want to get to the Garnet Palace you and your friends will have to cross the Heaven Lake and some other obstacles I'd say it take about 2 day's give or take a couple hours." "Excellent Chan-juan! Might I ask what such an exquisite young women like yourself is doing in such a horrid place as this?" Xaili placed his wing tip over her paw looking into her eye's. This can't be real is he actually going to? "I needed the money for my-" BAAAMMM!
The Xaili luckily pushed her paw away in time to avoid the 14 inch dagger-axe embedded in the counter. Chan-juan struggled to catch her breath after the unsolicited attack. Wrapped around the daggers handle was a leather gloved paw attached to another figure dressed in similar attire to Xaili. Two neon green feline eye's glared at the traumatized snow leopardess from within the cloak. Perched on the assailants shoulders was yet another cloaked figure this one extremely small possibly an insect or crab. "We don't have time for lovey dovey Xaili." An alto female voice admonished the white tailed eagle. "Oh, Mae…I was merely passing the time and inquiring our hostess as to the exact travel time to the Garnet Palace.." The eagle was visibly displeased by his comrades meddling at his shot for an enjoyable evening. "Save it feather head, we all know your trademark directions pick up scheme." A harsh voice jeered from the tiny cloaked figure. "But out Feng, at least I don't have to worry about her eating me!" Xaili snapped breaking from his earlier calm demeanor. "There's no need for us to conceal are identities here any way's."
"Very well." Both figures disrobed from their Jade cloaks. Chan-juan was awestruck by the other two strangers appearances. The female was a Eurasian Lynx, flaunting an unimaginably toned body, one the snow leopardess could only dream of possessing, wrapped in a two piece leather top and shorts, brandishing two Dadaos across her back and several holsters framing her hips. Likewise the smaller stranger appeared to be a massive tarantula featuring an unusually vibrant indigo coloration and marked all over with white tattoos, runes which she couldn't decipher. They were warriors of some kind but Chan-juan had know idea why they'd be posting up in such a retched place as the Ānwèi, surely they could stay in any palace they deemed fit. "Now then why don't you go get lost trash." The Eurasian Lynx barked at the still petrified Chan-juan. "What did you call me?" "Hmph, you heard me little girl… go play on a scratching post." Chan-juan struggled to hold back her rage toward the obnoxious lynx, realizing any attempt to confront her would most certainly end in severe if not fatal injury. Xaili turned his attention toward the distraught hostess. "My apologies for my friends here they're a little on edge after our long journey. It was a pleasure meeting you Chan-juan." The white tailed eagle took the snow-leopardess paw in his wing giving it a gentle parting kiss. "Until we meet again my dear." Chan-juan ended her shift at the Ānwèi shortly thereafter only discovering the two diamonds placed in her pockets as she readied herself for bed.
"Where are the other two Mae?" Xaili craned his neck around searching for their fellow compatriots. "Sao and Xian? They're outside, they usually avoid public places. I can't say I blame them." Chen Mei removed her dagger-axe from the counter cradling it in her paw, admiring it's fine craftsmanship, before raising it to her mouth and taking a protracted lick on the blade. They are like ant's to us, why do we even bother concealing ourselves this way? Let all the kung fu masters come. Let them quake in fear at the sight of our power! Alas, these were masters whishes and their master knew how best to enact his plan. "Mae what's troubling you?" Dai Feng looked up at his comrade in arms from the counter, eight eye's showing deep concern. "It's nothing Feng…" The Eurasian Lynx looked toward the steel planked ceiling a smirk breaking across her muzzle. "Heh…I guess it's just I'm so excited to finally meet and face off against the legendary Dragon Warrior. You know they say he can split mountains with a single paw. What a man!" Chen Mei's entire being screamed in anticipation for the ultimate showdown, the chance to finally meet him, Po, the great Dragon Warrior. "Yeah and they say I can eclipse the sky with my wing span though I don't see you getting all gaga over me." Xaili snidely remarked at the Lynx's fantasies.
"Shut your beak!" Chen Mei hissed at the eagle, showing her formidable canines. "Alright, alright…now let's get down to business. Dai Feng do you have masters orders?" The blue tarantula removed a small scroll from his cloak. "Yes, master whishes to rendezvous with us after we eliminate the masters at the Garnet Palace." "Excellent now if we leave in several hours we should be able-" Xaili was cut off from his planning as two large wolves approached the group. "Hey there little lady." One of the shaggy bandits planted himself next to Chen Mei eyeing her attractive physique. Both wolves reeked of filth, clearly not well acquainted with personal hygiene. "What's a hot little kitten like you doin' with these two losers?" The lynx did not utter a word clearly taking delight in the wolves futile attempts to hit on her. "Oooh and those Badaos, not to many women around here that can carry them heavy swords let alone use em'." Xaili and Dai Feng slowly backed away from the escalating situation. Chen Mei turned her face directly toward the wolf bandit, giving him a seductive wink. Ever the temptress the lynx masked her voice in a sultry tone. "Oh you like my swords eh? Surely a big strong wolf would know how to use them?" The wolf by now was tongue tied and visibly flushed. "Aww what's a matter has this little kitten got your tounge?" Ppppuuuuurrrrrr Chen Mei then gently whipped the wolf in the face with her tail. "I uh…uh…uh" The other wolf bandit was growing impatient with his friends fraternizing. "Ehem, come on Hui we don't got all night!" "Cool it Meng I'll be just another second!" Chen Mei began to pout, her neon green eye's glossing over into large black saucers. "I hope I'm not taking up your time Mr. Big Bad Wolf." "Uh, never mind him, what say you and me uh…go out for some fresh air?" The wolf placed his paw on the lynx's shoulder. Suddenly her irises narrowed as an evil smirk shot across her face.
"You'll have to BUY ME A DRINK FIRST!" Before the wolf could react Chen Mei had twisted his arm completely around with a sickening pop. "AHHHH! WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME YOU CRAZY…!?" As the wolf bandit rolled on the floor in agony his buddy tried to strike at the vicious lynx with his battle axe only to discover she'd vanished from his line of sight. Without hesitation the Lynx landed several strikes to the second wolf bandits back sending him flying through the near by wall. "WHAT IN TARNATION IS GOIN' ON OVER HERE!" Patrons fled from the Inn like cockroaches as a flustered Liang approached the feline, flanked by his massive bison guards. "Who do you think you are little lady causing all this ruckus in my establishment!" Chen Mei looked up at enraged weasel from the carnage. "They had it coming to them the weaklings!" The Eurasian Lynx spit as her eye's narrowed in on the defenseless weasel.
"Whatcha lookin' at me like that for lady?" Liang's usually calm southern drawl pitched up to a nervous squeak at the sight of Chen Mei's blood thirsty eye's. "It's been awhile since I've had weasel." The lynx inched forward throwing caution to the wind consumed by the blood lust boiling inside from the sight of weakened prey. "DA, LNIE, GET HER!" Each bison guard ran towards the waiting feline only to stop dead in their tracks, their limp bodies falling to the floor. "What…what did you do to my men!?" Liang scrambled off his golden throne searching for any means of escape. "Poison darts bud…Cobra venom…very dangerous." Dai Feng emerged from his shelter under the counter holding up two glinting needles in his front legs. "A….a tarantula!" "Oh, I wouldn't be too worried about him." Liang looked above in horror at the massive eagle perched on one of the Inn's rafters. "Who…Who are you people?!" Chen Mei smiled as she unsheathed one of her Badaos closing in for the kill. "We are the reckoning." Dei Feng encircled the petrified weasel in web. "The children of Zenigam." Xaili unsheathed his metallic talons posturing to attack. "We are the Five Shadows."
Well I for one think Liang got what he deserved. Looks like the Furious Five and Po will have their hands full with these characters. Stay tuned. As always reviews are greatly appreciated and encouraged. Thanks for reading-J.G.