"Do not seek to bring things to pass in accordance with your wishes, but wish for them as they are, and you will find them."
Epictetus
Kung Fu Panda
The Long Night
Chapter XVII: The Tale of the Peacock and the Pig
I redirect the fist and punch a counter.
"You became quite good Don Ya.", the old dog says. He wears a light blue garment with golden bracers – the proof of his rank as a general: General Zhao Tzu.
He dodges my punch, changes his foot work and attacks once again. I step back…I need to block his attacks now. They are punched in a faster pace.
"Is there you limit, Don Ya?" the old General mocks me. I make a retreating step and he falls for my trap: my punch hits his chest directly. Before he can regain his balance I change into the attack. One punch after another hits him, while he tries to win the situation still. But he has lost…I remember Master Oogway's teachings still. My last attack stops in front of his throat, my knuckles pointing there like a knife. "No, general." I reply the question from earlier with a satisfied smirk. I am not even out of air – the training I do every day seem to have a good side effect on my stamina.
The general smirks as well. "Not bad…really not bad…" he grins and I react too slow. He grabs my knuckle and twists it….arrrhhhh…..!
He twists my arm on my back. "But still not good enough, Don Ya.", he says satisfied, before letting me go. I rub my arm…it is hurting pretty much. "This move…this was no Kung Fu.", I complain in the act I have written for this scene.
"There you are right…but as an old soldier I need to use every trick for winning…" he hesitates, "This one I have learned during campaigns in the north. The northern tribes use such techniques…as well like the western."
"I see…" I nod, "…I wished I would have the chance for a campaign to the north, General. I bet there a man can learn much…"
"A man…yes…a pig no.", he answers in his spiteful kind. I gulp down my anger. Stick to the act, I remind me. This old crazy dog likes it, when someone praises him, so I need to keep the positive atmosphere. I smile. "Of course….I would never disagree to the wisdom of you, General Zhao Tzu, the most powerful and most experienced General of the Imperial Army, but…."
"No buts, pig!" he interrupts me and I get the feeling that something is out of play, "When you want to play a game, pig, do it with your kind. Not me!"
I gulp. What is going on? "I don't know what you mean, General…"
"You know it well enough! You are here, because of the election of the provisional Emperor tomorrow.", he smirks, "And there for you will need my support."
And the support of five further members of the High Court. With the three voices the Empress leads into the election, the five Yu Thong and my four there still remain five, who have not decided. I will need the voices of him to have a chance to win.
I sigh. Since the issues inside the country increased, the tribes outside of our borders are attacking us more frequently and Yu Thong became the new Leader of the Shadow Division, China is more in danger than ever. Yu Thong may be an expert for intrigues like me, but this is the reason, why the Shadow Division lost its effectiveness: He had cared there for that every disloyal member to him of the Division is dead. And these needed to be even the best ones. Now the Division is struggling with compensating this loss as well like "investigating" this matter. No surprise that the Court is surprised and accepted an election of a provisional Emperor till China comes back to peace…..maybe this was his plan from the beginning….
I look at the old dog. I need him no matter the cost. The provisional Emperor will have enough power to eliminate his rivals without problems, so that he will stay the Emperor…till he dies.
For the first time I decide to speak openly. "You are right, General Zhao Tzu,…I need your support for winning."
"And you think by sparing with me, you will get it what?" he chuckles.
"No, of course not….but let us look at the alternatives. There is the possibility to give the Empress the needed votes…but she is a female and probably the governors of the provinces will not accept her as their sovereign. Not counted that she doesn't show interest in becoming elected.
Then there is Yu Thong…we all know that he is not better than me. He is a bad choice.
And last there is still Minister Ku Kao…and we all know that he will be not able to reign this country for much long. He is a coward and will flee of the problems instead trying to solve them."
The old General smirks satisfied. "You are good…but that is not surprising. After all you play this game for quite long already…as well Yu Thong. Why is he a bad choice?"
"Because he has led to the problems we have now." I chuckle inside my mind still cause of this, "He has proven that his greed for power is stronger than his reason."
"And you are different?"
"I have not proven anything in this direction."
"True, true….you have forgotten to mention an alternative: Me."
Is this a test? I lick my lips. "You could be a good choice…yes…with your experience and integrity…but do you want to be Emperor?"
"Provisional one, not to forget…"
"Even you know that nothing regards to this title is provisional. Once an Emperor, always one, they say…you will not be able to give it up and then all of us will be your enemy." I remember something, "And you will need to play the game with us, if you want to or not…"
He chuckles. "You have figured me out, Don Ya….but this is also not surprising. You had never a lack of intelligence. Different from your foot-boy.", he chuckles again, "But…I will still not vote for you."
"Why?" I ask shocked….regain your balance, your fool!
"Because of something you will not know probably, Don Ya: The Aura of a ruler."
I have never heard of it. "You seem confused…" he notices…focus on your face, fool!
"Then I will explain it…" he begins, "Every person has an aura which surrounds him. For good observers like me, it is visible and it is the reason who I choose. You Don Ya have not what I am searching for. The Aura of peasantry is surrounding you like your piggy smell. You will be never a good ruler, no matter how much time will pass. Only a good player. That is why I will choose Yu Thong."
Crap! "Although you know how this will end? You must know that Yu Thong will do the same like in the Shadow Division…he will lead China into a disaster!"
"Maybe he will…but this risk we will need to take. Better him than you."
I bare my teeth. "You will sacrifice us all….for such stupidity?"
He growls. "Hold your tongue, pig! Don't forget to who you are talking."
I know too well: To a grumpy old man, who hates pigs, and seems to be blind to the right choice….AARRRRHGGGHHH! This stubborn old man!
I pant cause of my anger. Calm yourself Don Ya. Calm yourself….I look at him…he snorts and turns around to leave the training place…I didn't want to do this, but now I have no alternative…
"When have you seen your wife the last time, General?" I ask in a threatening manner. He stops immediately.
"This morning…" he replies turning his head to me.
"I see…you will not see her again, if you don't vote for Me.", I hate threats. Their advantage is most often only temporary. But this time I need it….I will deal with the long term disadvantages, when I have become Emperor…
"You…" he growls at me and before I can look properly he charges me again. Not this time, old man. I dodge his punch, grab his arm and force his face hard on the ground. I stretch out his arm, while positioning my foot knuckle on his neck.
"You…!" he can still stay, before I force his face again on the ground of the Sparing hall. "Like you can see, General, I have learned some techniques for myself…and that although I am a pig." He says something, but it is not intelligible. I free his arm, when I hear the moan of pain. Then I kick the old dog to the front.
"When you want to see her again, you need only to vote for me…nothing difficult. Will you be able to do this?"
He looks at me with a threatening glance while rubbing his arm. Finally he nods.
"And don't dare to hurt her, you dishonorable scum!" he spits at me.
I clean the spot slowly, before replying: "You don't have to fear something. I may be dishonorable scum, but I have still modesty. Your wife will happen nothing bad…at least, when you vote for me."
He gnashes his teeth and then leaves the place finally.
Not before he has left the hall, I sigh in relaxation….six supporters more. And adding to this that probably one or two of the indecisive ones will vote for me as well…I will win. 10 supporters safe against five of Yu and further three for the Empress…although she is one of the three. Maybe she will give her voice to the winner…That would be the absolute defeat for Yu.
I rub my hands. And that accomplished with a simple lie. His wife will not be here indeed, because there for I cared. Zhu Li has poisoned one of her uncles…her favorite one. He will not die, but will be not at the Court for some time. And the talk, I had with her this morning was enough to convince her not to say something to the General….everything works like it should and I don't even need this stupid three-eyed guy. I have declined his help back then and he has said to me that I need only to say his name – or at least the one he is using now – and he will come back and help me…and there for demand the Throne of the Dragon. The throne itself, not what it is representing…Never! This will be my seat….
I grin while whistling for a better tomorrow….
The day has come. The Hall of the court is still empty. To my left, to my back and front are seats for the Court members, while to my right is the Throne of the Throne Holder – my new seat till I have strengthened my position as the new Emperor. Then finally…
I hear the steps behind me and turn around. Zhu Li comes running to me. "Don Ya! Don Ya!" he yells again almost. I sigh. "What is it, Zhu Li?"
He pants…how long was the way you ran? "Grand Master Shifu…" he can say between the pants. Yes? "…he wants to leave the Imperial Court immediately."
What? That comes surprising regarding the things I have heard the last time. "Why?"
"Don't know…ran as fast as I heard about it here."
I see…I turn back from him. Shifu is the key to control the Empress…he can't leave so fast. I turn back to Zhu Li. "Gather my guard and bring him back."
"By force?"
"Of course not! He is the Grand Master of Kung Fu…do you think my guard would be able to stand a chance against him? No, they should say him, that I need to talk to him…and it is important. For China. He can't leave yet."
"I see…Don Ya. Better I run to them…."
"And don't forget to come back then. The Court will not wait for you." He gulps and then leaves the Hall…only to be replaced by a blue peacock. "Good Morning Don Ya. I hope you have slept well?" I have Yu….you too? "Of course I did, Yu Laoshi. Thank you for your concerns. Have you slept well?"
"Like being in the egg again." he replies smirking…don't let yourself to be fooled Don Ya. You have the trump cards in your sleeves…still tastes bad.
In the meanwhile he and his five supporters – all of them wear black – sit down on the front seats – opposite where I will sit. Not much later General Zhao Tzu and the other ten arrive. He comes to me, glaring at me.
"Safe?" he asks only in a cold voice. I nod. He and the others sit down on the left seats, while my supporters sit down on the back ones. Where is Zhu Li?
At the end the Empress enters the Hall followed by Personal Guards – she is the only one, who was allowed to bring two with herself, because she is a woman – and her two supporters. She wears a green-scarlet dress – not her best, but still one of the better. I see that she has cried, although I bet that not everyone would be able to see this. I bow down in front of her.
"Empress.", I say politely and I sense how she stops. I look up carefully and meet her frosty glare. "I hope for you, Don Ya that nothing extraordinary will happen or…" She means the death of her husband. Still couldn't convince her with my lies. I simply bow down again, while she continues her way to the throne. While getting into a straight position again, I see like Zhu Li enters the Hall panting heavily…never before the term 'footboy' has more fitted to him than now.
"Done.", he achieves to say between breathing air in and out, while the doors get closed. The doors should be opened not before the Emperor was chosen, this is the rule. So no intervention from the outside anymore.
"We begin the election now." the Empress explains, while we see like the snow is falling again through the only open window in this dark room. "Every one of us knows why this needs to happen. According to newest news even in the Deep South a complete army is savaging villages and monasteries. This needs to stop."
I heard of this monastery thing….Seems that someone has a grudge against the Jade Palace…I wondered that Shifu has not returned back then, so what has happened now, that is more important than the safety of the Jade Palace? Definitely will need to find out.
"So…let us…vote." she says and looks to her right, where Yu is sitting. He is standing up and looks at the resembled Court. "Dear Colleagues, as the Leader of the Shadow Division and the one with the most experience, I recommend myself.", and no long after he has said it, the five behind and at the sides of him, yell that they vote for him. No problem….I am standing up. "Dear Colleagues as the one who has fixed more than one issue already in the name of the Emperor, I recommend myself."
My supporters vote for me. I look to General Zhao. "General, you want to say something in this matter?" the Empress notices my glance. The old dog stands up….he grins…? Why is he grinning?
"Your Highness, I have thought long and intensively about who should rule China for the time till we have finally a real Emperor. And I decided to vote for…." his grin gets something evil, "…for Yu Thong."
No…this can' be happening…why….why is he abandoning his wife?
His supporters support his decision as well like most of the indecisive ones. I have lost the election….I sit down…no….
"With this it seems obvious who will rule as the provisional Emperor. Congratulations Yu Thong.", the Empress says and lowers her head sadly…was she against his victory?
"Thank you, your Highness and thank you to you as well General Zhao Tzu. I am really grateful." Yu Thong explains before looking at me, "And as my first order of being a provisional Emperor I want to eliminate the forces in our own ranks, which try to oppose the Empire itself. Who has neither had problems to use poison to get their power nor to kidnap a kind and innocent lady."
It is dawning on me: he is the reason for this! Damn how could I have been so blind!
He grins evilly, while I stand up. "Zhu Li, get up!" I hiss to him. "What?" he asks confused. "I said get up!" I say almost loud.
"Don Ya, my dear friend, it seems you know about who I am talking about." Yu says with a smug voice.
I glare at him. "Yes….You!"
Everyone looks shocked, although no one for real…it is not a secret. Only one person seems to look really shocked. "Don Ya, can you prove your accusations!" the Empress yells at me.
"No….who could?", I reply not caring anymore….everything is lost….everything for what I have worked ten long years…no…..there is still one chance. I look to Zhu Li. "Player! Player come back!" I yell at the surprised Zhu Li, who still don't have a clue what is happening.
"Don Ya, what are you doing?" Yu asks me warily.
"Stay calm and watch!" I reply, "Player! Player!"
I hear like Yu sighs. "It seems that his guilt has turned him crazy. Guards!"
Immediately the two men of the Empress step forward and go at me. I turn around to them to fight. "Player!" I yell still to Zhu Li, who only stammers more than only confused: "Don Ya, I don't…know…" and then it happens.
The room gets colder few degrees suddenly and Zhu Li's eyes turn black. A third one opens on his forehead. "You have called for me.", I hear the distorted voice of the Player from Zhu Li's mouth. Every one of us is staring at him, while I answer: "I accept your offer."
He grins satisfied….a grin I have never seen on Zhu Li's face. "Very well…" he says and stretches out his hands from which dark shadows emerge. The one builds up high enough for being a head taller than Zhu Li and a violet Owl appears where the Shadow was one moment ago. The other shadow towers above every one of us, before it takes shape of the biggest polar bear I have ever seen. His face and neck is scarred.
"Temujin, Fenghuang, he accepts our offer. Deal with the obstacles." the Player says calmly.
"How amusing." the Owl replies before flying to General Zhao in a speed I have not imagined is possible.
"Understood, Master." the bear replies before attacking me. I go on my knees protecting my head with my knuckles, but I am not the target: the Imperial Guards are smashed through the next wooden wall.
"My pieces have moved." the Player says, before laughing hysterically. His laughter is the last thing I hear this night.
And a decision was made...to what it will lead...who knows ;-) ...okay I know, but I will not tell it :-P ...still ;-)
So on whose side where you during the election? :-) Don Ya or Yu Thong :-) I am curious to hear your opinion to this as well like to the whole story :-) You can use the Review-possibility for this ;-)
And when you don't want to wait so long for the next chapter, check out my other works: "Crossing the Rubicon" and "Space Panda" with "Space Panda 2: The Rise of the Hunters" :-)
"Kung Fu Panda" (c) DreamWorks Animation
I own nothing except for the written word.
Characters you don't know are from me. The Idea is also from me.
P.S. I have thought about an alternating system of updating :-) more information by the update of my next story :-)
P.P.S. I am quite curious actually: Do you like actually this quotation thing I do? ^^; Or do you think the quotations fit or not fit to the Chapters? :-)
P.P.P.S. a third thing ^^: What would you think when I would insert also titles for songs, which can be found on Youtube then? :-) So as musical accompaniment ;-)