Hey guy's sorry about the extended hiatus had some important stuff to take care of but anyway's back to the story. What better time to re-start RSD then on Chinese New Year!
Chapter 4
Missing Master Ming -Yue
"This is not good, not good at all!" A young Ibex stumbled over himself as he hastily scurried down the imperial breeze way, the early morning sun just breaking over the sky line of the Forbidden City. "How could they catch us off guard?!" The Ibex took little notice as he nearly toppled over several servants holding a priceless painting before coming to halt in front of two large mahogany doors bordered by jade dragon relief's. Without hesitation he pushed his way through, paying little mind to the goat trying to stop him. "The chancellor is very busy, please stop, he's not taking any visitors at the moment!" Panic began set in as horrible thoughts started to creep through his subconscious. "Enough! I need to see Chancellor Zhun immediately, the lives of thousands…no millions could hang in the balance! Do you want the blood of so many on your hoofs Lee?!" The goat reared back in terror, she'd never seen Déshèng so distraught, his eye's were bloodshot and overall appearance disheveled. "I-" "I'll deal with you later Lee." The Ibex made his way through set of double doors into Zhun's office.
Konghou music played faintly in the background as the flying fox sat diligently over his desk encased in a shroud of thick tobacco smoke, eyeing over several massive scrolls. "Ch-Ch-Chancellor Zhun I bring terrible news!" Zhun lifted a wing signaling Déshèng he'd be with him in a moment. As time passed the Ibex's eye's nervously wandered around the chancellors office all the while his stomach performed gymnastics at the disturbing discovery he'd made. "Now, what is it you whish to tell me Déshèng?" The flying fox placed down his tobacco pipe as he rotated his chair to face the anxious Ibex. "We've lost all communications with Master Ming Yue's party in the Pamir's." The old flying fox looked down toward the floor adjusting his spectacles. "I see… And when was your last communication with the dear master and the soldiers?" "Uh-about 12 hours ago sir." Zhun hobbled off his chair clutching his staff as he made his way toward the Déshèng. "That's not all is it dear Déshèng?" "N-N-No sir, we received this before sunrise." The Ibex held out a torn piece of emerald cloth. "Unfortunate…most unfortunate indeed…the Emperor will not like this. He and Master Yue were quite close."
"Wh-What should we do?"
The flying fox examined the remains of Ming Yue's cheongsam. "For now we must keep this between us Déshèng, we don't want to cause a panic amongst the common folk. I will inform his majesty of the news." "How-how can we?" Zhun patted the Ibex on the shoulder comforting him. "But Master Yue was one of our strongest…" "Déshèng, an old comrade once told me something…something I still cherish to this day, would you like to hear it?" "Well I suppose…sir." Zhun closed his eye's combing his memory for the saying. "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift. That is why it's called the present." *bowing* "Thank you Grand Chancellor." "Not a problem…and remember this incident is between us understand?" "Yes sir!" The feeble flying fox looked toward a painting on the wall of five figures, a tortoise, python, snow leopard, giant panda, and a flying fox. "It's worse than I feared old friend."
The Imperial Gardens
Early morning dew trickled from the petals of lotuses and azaleas as a dark shadow hovered above and the still air was cut by the familiar crinkle of a kite. The object shaped like a red crowned crane swooped and hovered in funnels of air above, below a young boy struggled to gain control of the unwieldy kite. "You need to give it more slack son." A calm and genuinely warm voice spoke from behind the young bird of paradise. "But I've tried already father! It's not working!" "Why don't you let your old man give it a try?" The chick refused at first but succumb to his fathers warm gaze. Emperor Wen stepped up besides the boy, his vibrant coat of feathers contrasted against his unassuming off white hanfu and sedge hat, the clothes of a common man not that of royalty. "Now Liu, your holding on much too tight." The emperor placed his wings over his son's. "But if I let go won't the wind take the kite away?" The emperor looked toward the fluttering kite above, it reminded him so much of her, one of his oldest and most cherished friends, Yuey. "Sometimes we need to trust the winds for they help guide us toward the right path." The bird of paradise chick looked puzzled at his fathers words. "So your saying I should let go then?" "No Liu, don't let go but loosen your grip just enough to feel the kite and the wind." "Ok-ok let me try again." Prince Liu struggled at first but then a strong gust lifted the crane kite upwards in loops and rolls. "Wow, that's so cool! Look at how high it is!" The Emperor couldn't help but crack a smile at his boy's delight.
If only everything were as simple as flying a kite or meditating. Emperor Wen pondered as he watched Liu play with the beautiful kite glimmering against the dawn sky. He patted Liu on the back and proceeded to take his daily morning walk through the palace gardens. Oddly every where he looked he'd find objects that brought back those distant memories of training alongside Ming Yue and the others while Grand Master Oogway explained the true mystery which all mortal creatures sought. He was brought back, back to the Jade Palace. "Liu Heng, you focus too much in here." The old tortoise placed a claw to the young princes head. "You must focus as well in here." Oogway placed a claw to the young princes chest.
"My…my chest Grand Master Oogway?" The tortoise smiled at his pupils naivety. "No, your heart Liu Heng." Liu Heng was skeptical of his wise masters words. "The heart….I know! Because it's a weak point by which to vanquish your foes!" The bird of paradise raised his fist as he confidently grinned. Oogway shook his head at Liu Heng's brazen attitude. "No Liu, the heart is the most invaluable tool for the warrior and leader or anyone for that matter. I was like you once." "Really Grand Master?" "Yes, I took everything on with the utmost confidence, I only cared about winning, about proving I was the Dragon Warrior. It took many years but I soon learned from others actions that the path of over confidence, of relying solely on the mind would only lead toward darkness. Liu, you must always be true to your emotions and heart not only your mind. A strong warrior can split mountains and vanquish armies but the warrior that trusts in here." *pointing to his own chest* "He can create peace, love his people, and maintain the sacred balance." Liu Heng was not convinced and unsure of how to master such a technique. "But Master Oogway how can I accomplish such a technique!?" "You will learn Liu, just give it time." The tortoise answered as he hobbled out of sight.
The young prince stood still for a moment closing his eye's. "Trust in my heart…trust in my heart…trust in my hea-." "Did you eat bad dumplings or somethin', you look constipated?" A female voice jeered at the meditating Liu. Opening one eye the prince caught sight of who was throwing the insults, a young female red crowned crane, dressed in a yellow cheongsam with a lotus flower clipped in her red crest. "I'm trying to mediate and would really appreciate it if you left now, please." "Hmm, wait I know you! You're the new student the Emperors son. Why are you here? Aren't you like super rich n' stuff?" The inquisitive crane was testing Liu's patience. Still trying to meditate with one eye open. "Yes, and my guardians thought coming here would make me a better leader." "Heh, a better leader, a little bird like you running a whole country, I don't think people will take that seriously?" That was the finally straw, to insult him was one thing but to insult the royal family, well that was treason. *Assuming a fighting stance* "HOW DARE YOU INSULT THE ROYAL FAMILY PEASANT!" "Peasant!? That's it, you asked for it kid!" The crane lunged toward the bird of paradise landing a kick to his side knocking him to the ground. "What happened to all that talk kid? Your gonna let a girl beat you up!?" The bird of paradise slowly picked himself off the ground his pride more damaged than his body. "I was taught never to strike a lady, it's improper etiquette!"
The crane smirked as she spread her wings ready to strike again. "With that kind of attitude you'll never make it here kid." "That's it! I've had enough of your stupid games!" Liu charged at his attacker throwing all caution to the wind. "That's more like! Now, bring it on rich boy!" The crane swooped past Liu the downdraft knocking him backward as she took to the air. "Whadda'ya say we take this up stairs kid?" "With pleasure!" The two birds climbed high above the Valley of Peace, the crane leading the way as Liu followed in hot pursuit. I can't be defeated by the likes of her. Liu thought as he grew closer to her 6'o clock. Both students made a beeline toward the Sacred Hall of Warriors gaining incredible speed. "Now let's see if he'll chicken out." The crane gained even more speed as she set a collision course directly toward the palace. Liu saw the distant Jade Palace grow larger as fear began to set in. What is she doing? Is she mad we'll smash right into the palace!? Ugh, focus Liu you can't let her win! With several seconds to spare the crane stopped feet from the sacred hall as she watched Liu rocket past her directly into it.CCCCRRRRAAAASHHHH! BAAAANNNG! CCCLLLAAANNNG! The crane winced at the cacophony sounds emanating from the sacred hall.
Liu managed to pick himself up from the pile of rubble only to view the utter destruction he'd wrought upon the sacred hall. "AHHHHHH! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!?" Master Shifu's familiar voice echoed throughout the Sacred Hall as he looked toward the bird of paradise twitching with rage. "Hehe…oooppps?"
Later….
"He must be sent back to Peking immediately! He's desecrated our most cherished shrine!" Master Shifu fumed toward his master as Oogway sat relaxed atop his staff. "And your pupil is equally to blame Fenghuang!" The owl looked displeased toward the red pandas accusation. "I'll be sure to deal with Ming Yue immediately, but Prince Liu Heng is your responsibility Shifu." "Guy's let's cut the kids some slack!" Another voice cut in as Masters Shifu and Fenghuang turned around. A giant panda sat atop a nearby desk wearing a sedge hat and brown tunic.
"Sheesh, you two are like over protective parents. They're kids, they're bound to get into trouble it's only natural." "You'd best mind you own business Quon!" The owl hissed at the giant panda. "Your out of line to lecture your superiors on how to deal with their pupils." Shifu stared down the genial panda who shrugged off their death glares. "He's right you know." Oogway looked toward his students. "Shifu, Fenghuang." Both: "Yes Master?" "Quon will train Liu and Yue for the week." "But Grand Master he's just become a master himself!" Shifu argued visibly disturbed by his masters request. "Exactly! Grand Master, he was just recently a student or have you forgotten!?" "Fenghuang, Shifu, if I recall were you two not students at one time as well?" Shifu: "Well yes but we have experience, we're members of the Furious Five and Quon, well Quon has much to learn." *looking back toward the panda now leaning against the wall snoring. "This will be an excellent experience for both Liu and Yue as well as Quon. You two should continue with your meditation practice I feel much confusion and turmoil in both you." *Bowing* Both: Yes Master Oogway!"
Liu sat nervously outside the barracks awaiting his punishment from Master Shifu, seated next to him was the red crown crane from earlier. "That was quiet an epic landing back their kid." She looked over at him feeling sorry for dragging him into her high jinx. "The names Ming Yue, but you can call me Yuey. What's your name kid?" The prince sat silently, shuffling in his seat. "Come on you've got to have a name?" "It's his majesty the prince to you!" Ming Yue reared back from the sudden outburst. "Wow so you can actually talk huh? But I know that ain't your real name his majesty the prince. So what is it?" Liu couldn't help but look over toward Ming Yue, her eye's were surprisingly sincere unlike earlier. "I-It's Liu Heng." "See I knew it! Liu Heng that's a cool name! I'll call you Heng from now on." "M-May I ask you something Ming Yue." "Yuey, and sure Heng what's on your mind?" "Why did you attack me earlier?" The crane looked surprised by the soften spoken birds question. "Uh, well…. ya see I kinda like to take on opponents all the time to measure just how strong I am. I'd never seen you before today and thought you'd be a worthy opponent. I've gotta say that was some pretty good flying back their up until your landing in the Sacred Hall, not too many people can keep up with me." "Oh I see, well thanks Yuey, I don't think Master Shifu will buy that excuse though." "Don't mention it, and forget about him he's a wet blanket!" "A wet blanket?" "It means he's no fun."
"What's this I hear about Master Shifu?!" The two students jumped back in their seats at the sudden voice. "Hey it's ok, I won't tell a soul, scouts honor." A giant panda stood before the two students giving them a wink. "My names Master Quon and for the next week I'll be your new teacher!" Ming Yue looked at the poorly dressed panda unconvinced. "You're a panda and were a couple birds, how the heck are you going to train us?" "Well little lady that's the thing, I'm not teaching you how to fly or how to fight." "Then what exactly are you teaching us Master Quon?" Prince Liu asked as he looked on, unsure of this strange panda's credentials. "Well your majesty I'll be teaching you teamwork, a key part of being a master and hopefully a member of the Furious Five!"
"Your majesty?" Emperor Wen was brought back from his reminiscing by a familiar voice. Chancellor Zhun kneeled before the bird of paradise bowing his head. "Oh, Zhun nice to see you this lovely morning, how our things in the Chancellery? And there's no need for such formalities." The flying fox lifted himself back off the ground with his staff. "Forgive me my lord, it's an old habit thanks to your father. Thing's were fine until recently…" The emperor could tell by the tone of Zhun's voice that thing's had indeed taken a turn for the worse. "Have we gotten any word from Yuey and her troops?" Zhun braced himself for the emperors coming emotional outburst. "We lost contact with them about 12 hours ago….this is all that was recovered from the site your majesty." Zhun placed the torn emerald fabric into the emperors open wing. "I see…were there any survivors?" "What you have there is the only trace of Master Ming Yue's party, my beloved majesty. We have reason to believe it was those vile rouge masters who call themselves the Five Shadows."
Wen stared at the torn and tattered fabric as the memories of his friend began to surface again. "Zhun?" "Yes my lord?" "Notify the remaining masters of the Qogir. We'll put an end to this before anymore blood is spilled." "Yes your majesty, understood. Also your majesty do think it wise to call a Masters Council?" The masters council? If I do that it could be seen as step toward war. The emperor struggled with the prospect of escalating the situation. "I mean it in only a defensive sense, if we pull all the Kung Fu Masters together here in Peking, we'd stand a better chance if these creatures decide to strike on the capital, your majesty. It will probably take at least 1 month to notify all the outlying regions, including the Dragon Warrior." "Very well Zhun, I hereby declare the 400th Masters Council, see to it that word get's out to the others about Yuey." *bowing*"Understood my lord!"