Chapter Nineteen: The Entrance Battle
Everything was silent as the sun rose and the world became lighter. The air was very tense.
There seemed to be no movement, even from guards at the entrance of the arena. They couldn't see any smoke in the village, the usual sign that anyone was awake. Yet, they remained diligent, scanning their surroundings.
Then, the first sounds of the day: a single grunt from both guards as they were struck and fell. Shifu and Mantis motioned for the others to come.
Crane carefully peered over the wall.
"I can't see anyone," he said.
"They're hiding," Tigress said. "I saw this place packed full of lionesses. It was standing room only. How's it going, Viper?"
The snake appeared from around the corner.
"It's open," she said, "but I think only smaller people can get through. I don't think it'd even fit you now."
Shifu chuckled to himself.
"So you did find that entrance," he said.
"Entrance?" Po asked.
"When we were younger," Tigress began, "Viper and I explored every inch of the Jade Palace, also discovering passages we thought only we knew."
"This one leads to behind the Hall of Heroes," Viper said. "From there, I'll be able to find the one leading to the barracks."
"Mantis, Vixey, go with her," Shifu said. "I will come, too. The rest of you, make a way to those cannons."
The four Masters disappeared.
"Are you all ready to clear a path?" Tigress asked.
The remaining Masters and most of the wolves nodded. Tigress carefully opened one of the large doors. It creaked, but not very loudly due to Tigress's careful handling. She motioned for some to survey one side of the arena and the rest to check the other.
The silence was unnerving. The invasion team checked every crevice, finding no one. Then they were about to check the upper level.
Everything happened at once. Lionesses pounced from above and there was chaos down below. The Masters each found themselves mobbed by the golden felines, but suddenly they were all pushed out of the fight. When they looked back, they saw the wolves swinging at the lionesses with everything they have. They looked like they were having fun.
"They know we're here," Tigress said. "We need to get to those cannons now."
The Masters ran up the staircase, watching for any enemy movement.
"Ruili would be stupid to keep all of her forces down there," Jin said. "Prepare for a fight."
Tigress motioned for them to slow to a stop at the top of the stairs. They looked and found several unconscious lionesses.
"What took you guys so long?" Vixey asked, suddenly appearing behind a nearby tree. "You missed the party."
"You have no idea," Monkey said as Shifu, Viper, and Mantis came into view, looking as if they'd just scanned the perimeter of the Hall of Heroes.
"Something isn't right," Shifu started. "There should have been more here..."
Suddenly, many lionesses appeared as if from thin air, surrounding the Masters and heavily outnumbering them. Then Rong Da emerged from the Hall of Heroes. And on his shoulder...
"Welcome home, Masters," Ruili growled. "This would have been much easier for you if you had just surrendered."
Then she turned to one of the lionesses that was awaiting her order.
"Open fire on the village."
Short chapter, but it's only beginning...