Volume Two: Eyes of Hate
Chapter XIV
Jade Palace Spar, Act Two
III. Two For One
Chen Xing was yet called from the Dragon Warrior that Tigress also volunteered as well; the tiger rolled the scroll and placed it in the capsule as if his thought would adapt on seeking any results. Lei Lei tapped her feet and hailed him; Kai kept his posture while crossing his limbs. His co-master Lotus winked at her giant student.
The Dragon Warrior and Furious Five's alpha were in front of the Nine's Leader as they shared their glances before meeting Xing. The panda was the first to ask. "Are you sure about this, buddy? You might be getting, you know, only powerful to you enough?"
"I hope not," Xing worried.
The Nine's Leader bowed to two legendary masters and spread his feet to a horse stance, arming his chi sao guards. "Wing Chun, Chen Xing."
"Kung Fu," both warriors introduced. One named, and the other followed.
"Po."
"Tigress."
They flowed their panda-tiger styles of kung fu forms before Xing began guarding his open-limbs forward. Peering both masters as of which one led his or her first move, Xing soothed his muzzle respiration as Kai rose his head, fiddling his Fu Manchu beard. The Dragon Warrior launched his first encounter.
Hammering palms against Po's sparrow kick, Xing maneuvered his chi sao blocks interfering with the panda's straight punches; Po's other foot pounded near the tiger's upper leg. Xing revolved his agile grip on the panda's ankle; his other arm blocked Po's dragon-claw pound and jostled him off guard, causing Po off balance.
Tai Lung slightly rolled his head. Good shove energy.
Xing focused on his aunt, whose limbs swirled to defensive prose, bending her knees and wiggling her tail twice. Po spun his feet and rose quicker. Tigress hailed and started her body flipping to her right side, clouting both feet against her nephew's limbs. Xing reared back before Tigress advanced her paw strikes.
Pivoting his paw against bridges of her aunt's wrists pummeling, Xing swiveled over her limbs as she raised her kick, and his whole foot jo phan prevented her leg. Pounding once more from his aunt, Xing rotated his palm, pivoting the other he fisted her cheek, and the tiger landed his firm blow toward her upper chest.
Palm and fist. Tai Lung figured once his albino colleague stepped beside the leopard. Once the Jade Slayer and two wolves peeped at all three masters circulating over the Arena, the Dragon Warrior lured his chin to Tigress.
"Tigress, I think we're going easy on your nephew. Shall we go for a hardcore way?"
"Hardcore way," Tigress answered with her half-smile. Her nephew introduced his fist and the other while guarding his chi sao block. Let's dance.
And Po and Tigress aggressed.
Xing sidestepped and rolled from two warriors kicking his head. His aunt advanced her jab blows as if Po joined in their stances. The tiger bridged both palms onto her forearms, and the other side-kicking Po's belly as the panda sidestepped. Xing encountered his horizontal limbs, and the other before hammered both wrists down, unleashing his circular blows at her upper chest.
Po leaped and spun his low kick after Xing shoved his aunt. The tiger sprang his heel kick to the panda's belly; Tigress beckoned her flowing spins on the floor, wagging her striped tail. She performed her aggressive tiger style with straight jabs.
Xing deflected most of Tigress's blows, which her claws not appeared, forbidden to maul during training, and even while defending the weak. Sensed with sturdy punches that the Nine's Leader spiraled his chi sao forms of blocking, had equal strength against his aunt's veracity, Xing swiveled his guard, thrusting his open palm the other at her chest.
Po bounded back to his partner, unleashing his victorious hail.
Examining the tiger's eyes gone south, Lord Shen widened his ruby eyes once Tai Lung broke off his crossing limbs. Kai peered with astonishment before the Dragon Warrior pelted forward. Xing, unaware of his perspective but gesturing his dragon-paw on his head, glared his snow eyes at a whole.
The Mind of Metal appeared her soft growls above the tiger. Its silvery scathes enlarged, emerging the mighty reptile's fierceness face, swimming its head on the top ridge of Jade Palace Arena. For a moment, gasps thronged as half of the warriors trained on the dragon's next move, while the other glimpsing at their tiger colleague deafen his defensive roar. The Mind's modulated voice blended its female tone.
He, who foresees the almighty, cast the betrayer with his sunlight.
Ladyship plunged the sword of the falling star to her agony soul.
Behold the soul of her legacy, carry more blessings than death spreading the hate.
He who has a heartless heart loved his son.
The Mind of Metal swiveled its lengthy noodle body above Masters and the Nine, its silky gray enchantment surroundings stroking many, blessing one by one. After motioning a zigzag as the white dragon nudged its chest on Tai Lung's heart, which the leopard sighed in relaxation, Xing arose his paw, casting her back into his body.
Xing dropped his knees.
Tigress and Po ran to him and held his arms. "Nephew. Are you alright?" the feline asked worriedly.
Xing quivered his head, sharpening his eye pupils at her and the panda. For a moment, his breaths panted rough, and he sighed in relief. "I'm good."
"That was — awesome! Let's do that again," Po smirked.
Tigress snapped her amber eyes at the panda. "Po, did you make Xing angry?"
"I wasn't hitting him that hard!" Po widened his other arm apart.
"No."
Both Tigress and Po turned their heads to Xing. "The Mind sees no enemy here. Po did his substantial blow toward me so my thing can reveal herself. I think I have awareness issues."
Two masters scoured the tiger's perception, as they had experienced one of which his bond's mentality was off-balance. Maybe he has an anxiety attack while being threatened? Sensation? "It's like when I felt something off, Xing. You and I have those awkward senses in common, not like when you sleep at night and then — skadoosh! — the Mind of Metal becomes a fist of fury. Suppressing emotions may do the trick. Meditation can help you and your dragon, buddy. That's one condition you'll have to worry about that."
Quite frankly. Tigress, an expert of physical resilience, examined her nephew. "Your strength is fierce, Xing. You fought well. As comparable to the Dragon Warrior's advice, controlling your strength is essential," Tigress gestured her head to the Jade Palace messenger at the other side of the Arena square with geese servants. "Fetch me a domino, Zeng."
Zeng flew past next to them, handing a gold and brown domino to her. Xing inspected it closer, as her aunt's paw was firm but soft, unable to shatter in half. "Let's see how you can manage your paw with this one," she handed it to him. As he bore for his strong fingers, while fiddling the domino moderately, it snapped in splinters.
That's another one I have to worry about for a while. Xing heard his aunt's thrumming throat. "I'll offer your sister some of my equipment for your paws to work on," Tigress said, stretching her half-grin as she stroked her nephew's shoulder. "Keep practicing."
After Po and Tigress fought Xing, the white dragon examination no longer revealed the tiger's issue of being frightened when and if the thing could awake momentarily. The panda's virtue of seeking greatness in Xing's heart became too pure. For that specific to most warriors pondering the dragon's myth that cast shadows from the dark, even its presence elsewhere, the white dragon only harmed evil spirits, along with Po's chi dragon casting gruesome spirit warriors like Kai used to be.
At the heart of the fighting square, Mantis plunged Viper's center of her lengthy reptile body. While the spar training leveled with screeches, the tiger and his wolf partner scrutinized Li Han's scrolls, which indicated the Tang Dynasty and Gongmen City's first battle of Sea Defenders. The scroll's voluminous graphics painted the hues of orange background, exhibiting ignites of black smoke that arose hill countries across the city. The ships painted with a harsh brown, its billowing sails darkened than most of the vessels.
The First Battle of Gongmen City in the year 700 marked the dark days of the Queen's Vale — my sister who lastly defended the Sacred Flame tower from the Fire Clan butcher most of the innocents. I and my leopard friend, General Zhanshi, drove our half of Oogway and Kai's army of fifty thousand good men into the city as we only got there in time. Most of the sails with shield symbols arrived first. Sea Defenders.
After the Great War war ended, our compromise relationship with the Sea Defender captain rejected the city's defensive harbor. My sister refused to cooperate with every soul — for those we all fought for the cost of the realm. The balance of good against evil was collapsing, delivered us the divide and fall of Resistance. Some say that the balance was unbalanced — the deeds that we faced more imposing threats across China and never healed what's left behind. One of my faithful brothers bore his honor, and it destroyed him.
What honor destroyed someone?
The tiger reflected at first, but the albino craning his head made the feline flick his ears. "Pardon me, Xing. What is the purpose of your presence?"
Shen was gladly the first who asked his son's feline brother. The peacock managed to clasp his feathers while crossing his crests, which the soft wind stroked above his crown. The Nine's Leader briefly examined the bird's composure. "I am likely to reside here until morning, as I will be traveling to Gongmen City to go see my brother this week," answered Xing. "Moreover, any of the three can come with me and meet Lao and Lady Xia."
"Wonderful."
His thought of Gongmen City was his proper aspect where his home used to be, where his parents begged for their son to come home, but grief silenced their pain. Shen never asked for the prophecy that his old goat Mali — his parents' soothsayer, did foretell Lord Feng and Lady Muqin that their son would have to confront his destiny, and his fate was complex enough to face his old adversary. He was defeated, killed by his creation of weaponry to defeat Kung Fu. His former mentor, a madman who scorched one-third of Gongmen City, resurrected him with his shadow sorcery. And the peacock befriended with his old enemy — the Dragon Warrior, before the Second Battle.
Examining the duel training where Viper darted her tail against Mantis with leaping hits, Shen mesmerized the cloud of judgments in his head. He made enemies, thousands of them in all of China, that he could have used his reign and made every soul manifest the ruler, bow at his talons. Shen was slightly changed because his adversary helped him, except for his temper manners, the peacock should have to improve his mentality.
"You crave to meet your family there. I have not seen them both since the Nine and Masters departed Holy Flame after a week of Gongmen Battle," the tiger Xing said to the peacock. "I miss Lady Xia's laugh. The way my mom giggles, Lotus, Lao, and I cannot stop laughing at her gifted voice."
A she-wolf nudged her crown on Xing's cheek. "Oh, you ain't wrong about that, alright. Momma can get us laughing all day!" Lotus tittered.
"You can say hello to your brother and mother for the Furious Five, nephew," Tigress grinned, brightening her amber eyes.
Monkey arose his limbs next to the feline, avian, and snow leopard. "And me!"
"Send Lord Dongji and Lady Xia my regards, Xing," Crane tapped the tip of his conical hat.
"I'll make sure of that," Xing promised.
IV. Brawler and the Quick
Viper won only two rounds ahead of Mantis as she went aggressive from the bug's determination, which slowed time to his perspective. Slapped and slithered, the reptile pinned him while revolving half of her body over the insect. Quite impressed by Shifu's perception; however, he had his respect for Grandmaster Viper's daughter taking on not only mighty and average sizes but the smallest she could manage. I've always been proud of you. Viper's father would have been here, inciting his daughter as she could sense him.
The next training, part of the Five's final performance, Master Tigress announced one of her students as only half of the Masters surprised. Tai Lung entered on the square, his feet meeting intricate stone square that he reminisced of hardcore training: bricks shattered, flying boards split, ten expert dummies vanquished in specks, villagers across the arena hailed. The moment he glanced at his adoptive father, the other, his adoptive mother, met his as Ming bore her palm toward her chest.
"I found one student who shall spar with Tai Lung!" Po pinned his yin-yang jade staff and glimpsed at his students. "Shen!"
Filled his air behind his cheeks in a perplexing glance, Shen leveled his composure. At the same time, most eyes drew on him, regarding enough to discern the Dragon Warrior's finest senior student he had not participated in challenging the Masters of Jade Palace. He only practiced sparring with his former enemy.
Kai foresaw the albino, ever mentioning this bird ever since the Mighty left Gongmen and went on hunting chi on his own toward West. Cloaked within the bamboo forest and afar while searching for whichever he desired for granting his comeback, Kai only heard rumors from local villagers in between Musicians Village and Valley of Peace. The Dragon Warrior recovered Lord Shen, the mad peacock who achieved greater things in his sinister way but did terrible things in front of the Peafowl Nobles they scarred in deep horrors.
Tai Lung clasped his paws behind his back as soon as the Nine's Leader wrapped Li Han's revision scrolls, Lotus supporting her tiger partner. "So. . . . Po chose my next worthy opponent?" snow leopard's honeyed, silvery tone petitioned.
The peacock whirled his wooden pole. "The next worthy opponent shall bow after his defeat," Shen spread his wicked grin.
Kai puffed his muzzle. Buffoons.
The Great Dragon began motioning his tai chi flow, introducing the leopard style of Kung Fu, the balance of his swirling feet, and thick clouded limbs. The Five on the edge of the concrete square remarked of Tai Lung's fluidity mobilities; Monkey clapped his hands once. "Tai Lung, no question."
A green insect on Monkey's shoulder vibrated his antennas. "Definitely the clouded leopard guy. What's your bet, Xing?"
The tiger chuckled. "Oh, betting is not my type."
"You pick one, and if you win, you get fifty cookies. You lose," Monkey's knuckle nudged on the tiger's wrist, "you owe me Lotus's cookies."
"Cookies!" Lotus revealed her smiling teeth beside Xing.
"Okay. I'll choose one," the tiger peeped at the scene of the fighting introduction. Tai Lung finished his leopard stance with a single blow of his straight fist. The peacock reached for his sturdy wood shaft from the weapon stand, matched his mahogany color of dark red. Shen gyrated his pole, tossed, and embarked somersaulting sideways before catching his weapon in the air with his talon.
"I pick one on the right," the Nine's Leader pointed.
Crane fell his creaking beak wide open. "You're joking!" the insect surprised.
"Shen's agile to avoid strong and mid-size opponents. He's fast, compared to his son," Tigress's nephew simplified the Furious Five.
I'm small and faster, big boy. I battered Po all day last time; thanks to Shifu for us being mean to the panda.
Mantis wanted to comment with his sour taste that he and the Furious Five mentally pardoned their excuses for making fun of Po, who was chosen to be the Dragon Warrior, however. Viper slithered ahead of the group. "Oh, you boys debate which one while betting! I say what Xing said!" Viper pointed her tail.
"You're on, Viper," Mantis challenged.
The Dragon Warrior on a top stairway platform with Shifu and Xing's grandmother Ming arose. Both Lord Shen and Tai Lung bowed at themselves as a few rustling leaves passed by them. "Is this fight will be dull? Little birdie does have a quick momentum, and the other, I confronted little whiskers before, his paws were unmatched against my bold strength."
The Nine's leader turned his solemn look to his bulky student. "Every master and student has inner concentrations and respect, not taunting at one another to reveal who is the best."
Most warriors around Xing were awe in anticipation as they accepted their colleague's statement. How dare me. Little Kitten has my respect. The Mighty nodded and kept his eyes on both warriors at the arena square.
During the Great War times, the Mighty could have silent one of his young blood soldiers who would be wiser than stupid. Even though as troublesome as Kai went through, he was glad to one of his own who had a better brain before the muscle aggress during battles. Hell, these sagacious words were honesty and blatant enough to shut Kai's absurdity.
The panda signaled the red flag pole, and both Tai Lung and Lord Shen launched their first moves.
Shen's pole landed Tai Lung's blocking limbs; the leopard pivoted his brute fighting stance. Combining rapid blows of his pole, Shen darted his talon. Tai knelt against the peacock's foot and encountered most of the wooden strikes; Shen plunged every center of the leopard's chest, staggering him, and clouted Tai over the air.
Tai landed all fours of his on the arena square, arming his guards up before progressing forward. Not a terrible start, Xing pondered.
The leopard was chuffing, progressing forward on the peacock, circulating at each other for one move. For a moment, Shen spun his oak staff to his side, wanting anticipation as he carefully regarded his opponent's sturdy limbs. After swooshing his weapon from the peacock, the snow leopard waved his tail and made his approach.
Tai Lung elbowed most bo staff sways Shen deflected the leopard's paws, pawing straight and under the bird's belly. The peacock staggered his steps twice, delivering swift train under his feet. The leopard made for his front kick after leaping forward; balanced one talon, Shen hastily clenched his thrusting foot toward the ground, stomping the leopard's greater force.
The Great Dragon shifted his body, elbowing one and the other. Shen dodged his limbs sideways, bowling behind him, and flickered his train wide, sweeping Tai Lung's ankles. The leopard bounded from the peacock's surprise, hammering his main limbs down upon Shen. The ground amidst the peacock and snow leopard wobbled by one short wave of beaming cobalt — Tai Lung's chi.
As Shen spread his wings and train after a blue ripple dissipated under his talons before landing quick, Tai Lung launched his right fist forward. The peacock revolved most of his parries — left and right jabs, uppercut, double sidekicks — as only one kick landed Shen's belly, sliding him back. Shen again spun his wooden pole, glimpsing at his leopard opponent widen his eye pupils. Tai Lung advanced on all fours, and Shen sprang above him, the bottom of oak staff clouting feline's back.
The leopard roared, scraped his front body after a short crash. Only a few scratches, Tai Lung whirled his limbs and returned his leopard stance ahead of the peacock who was swinging his weapon in defensive. "I'm invincible!" Shen taunted with a wicked smirk.
Tai Lung purred his rough throat, racing after him. Shen began twirling his pole, more smooth than aggressive, countering palm and fist blows, which the leopard linked with brutal combinations. The peacock hammered round forearms and high knees, bashed Tai Lung's belly, and rounded his pole under his torso, launching his opponent in the air. Shen tossed his weapon, rolling on the opposite side, and kicked his chest.
Masters and the Nine remained their stands as Tai Lung collapsed in the air but spun his torso and landed safely on the arena square. The leopard crashed his knee, and the goose's red flag wavered beside Shen. "Shen wins round one!" Po announced.
Tigress sprinted to her brother.
Kai crossed his arms, scoffing. "Not bad for little peacock. He's so small."
"Careful, Kai. Take a wild guess who is the smallest here?" the tiger asked his student. "Beside insulting, what do you think of this first round? The rest of the combat before Shen and Tai Lung? And be honest."
The Mightiest Warrior pondered through his regards on the Furious Five and two pandas. "Most of your chi energies are strong," he shook his head. "I would say little panda should work on his forms. Little Monkey has average strength and agility, needing to work on his speed if I were him. The bug may be small —"
The bug quivered his tittering wings. "I will knock your teeth —"
Xing cleared his throat, silencing Mantis's hostile voice. "My student's inspecting your skills, which you will have improvements to focus on, Master Mantis. Relax."
Ahead of Tai Lung after aided from multiple bruises on limbs and his chest, Tigress sauntered to the group as she beckoned the Dragon Warrior and two masters on the stairway platform. "Tai Lung's ready, Po," the stripped feline announced.
"Round two, guys!"
Tai Lung popped his neck to one side before positioning near Shen. While crossing his brute arms, observing the two warriors bow to each other for the next round, Kai puffed his rough throat. "Their first round was children play. I expect one of them to be worthy than their mouths talking."
The one with a loudmouth does.
Xing only squinted at the arena square rather than speaking to his student as he inspected both geese raising their red flags in the air. For a moment, Tai Lung swam his limbs with a Leopard Kung Fu form, rotating side by side, and then a front strike toward his challenger; Shen spun his oak pole with his main feathers, rapidly shifting above his head, and pinned it beside his talon. Donk! Geese servants gestured, and both warriors launched forward.
Tai spun his body once, kicking his foot high as his opponent Shen did his leap, hammering his pole; the snow leopard struck him first. Shen towered his weapon as he swung downward ahead of Tai Lung, landed safely before guarding. Grunting, the peacock hit his knee and his head twice with a gyration flow. The leopard had fallen to the left and aroused quickly, wobbling his head.
Closing in on his leopard opponent, Shen thrust his weapon under him and above. Tai Lung caught Shen's pole after he was clobbered five in a row, trapping under his limb, and booted the peacock's stomach and the other on his chest. The bird skidded on the floor as his wooden staff flew off farther away toward the edge of the square; the leopard's roar skyrocketed above, and Shen wheeled to the right. Tai Lung's main foot waved dense impact, cracking the arena's ground.
Shen had no advantage using his staff as if his weapon was behind his leopard opponent. Neither of the weapon stands behind the peacock to grab any lethal blades, which he was forbidden to wield, or his hidden feather blades in his sleeves (his robe has no sheath pockets). He fanned his voluminous red train apart, sidestepping his feet to one side. Tai Lung copied his movement where he went, nearing him closer to expect Shen's rapid motions.
Tai Lung jumped forward, his fist blowing straight down to Shen. The peacock's talon snatched his fist, twisting his arm. Tai twirled his other arm for a back knuckle after he maneuvered Shen's good grip; the Great Dragon boxed under his long neck, clobbered thrice blows of the brutal combo, which one uppercut dizzied Shen's view. For a moment, returning his glare, Shen rotated his turn, his train sweeping near Tai's feet. The leopard slid his heels back as he avoided the bird's long and quick sweep.
The peacock darted on Tai Lung, bounding his back. The Great Dragon clasped one talon of his, but the other mauled his muzzle. Now twice in a row while flipping forward, plunging his head toward the floor, Shen now sped to his wooden pole just in time; Tai Lung broke for his gyrate spin, split his feet apart, weighing him back to his leopard stance when his peacock opponent made for his approach. He stroked his sore muzzle, which tingled in fiery. He lightly quivered his growl under his throat, spreading bulky arms apart.
The Mightiest Warrior tended to glimpse Tai Lung's paws, which unsheathed sharp claws, widening Shen's pupils. Sudden blinks of not one, but swift sheds of claws and blades mauled throughout the bull's head, painted every last of red banners swimming in the battle. For a moment, on the square, Shen and Tai Lung countered angles and round punches; the peacock began sidestepping while striking the leopard's forearms from mauling near him. The Nine's Dancer looked on her student, who was gazing with his hidden reaction that slightly shuddered his head once. Lotus merely opened her lips, but Tai Lung's thunderous roar made her head flash.
Shen performed rapid blocks pivoting one claw and the other advancing at him, threatening near his beak and surroundings. His talon clenched Tai's left foot and pinned it on the floor; Shen clobbered his pole on the leopard's chest —
Tai quickly caught his weapon halfway, the other fisting Shen's jaw and his foot launch forward. Reeled while panting his harsh breath, the peacock heaved his wooden staff above him, and Tai Lung, somersaulting in the air, hammered his right foot down, shattering Shen's weapon in half. The snow leopard unleashed his yell, uppercutting the peacock in the air, who cawed in pain.
The Great Dragon leaped where Shen flew off balance and battered his fierce fists, one blow and the other endlessly. Tai rotated his whole body amidst the air, and his claws bashed Shen's chest. The peacock's cry thundered after Shen's fall, crashing him toward the edge of the arena square.
Many faces with gasps gazed at themselves.
Silence thrived, yet registered the peacock's thrumming coughs. Shen pressed his whole chest, and his panda teacher left his gape with two masters witnessing the conclusion of this spar. "Tai Lung wins. . ." muttered Po. The Great Dragon forced his breaths in and out, glaring at Shen, and the last, whose blue eyes kept haunting Tai Lung, flashed the bull's green irises.
The snow leopard clenched his fist as he faced the peacock. One feline master got in front of him first, drowning his sinister glare. Chen Ming barricaded her paw on his chest. "That's enough, Tai Lung. Take a walk with your sister."
Unflustered from her, Tai immediately stepped his feet back twice, leading Tigress pace her stroll to them both, and Po hurrying down toward the square. The tiger and golden snub had their eyes meeting for a short duration after Xing and Monkey undeniably flipped off their bets. The golden snub scratched his chin. "I'll stick to healthy food for now."
The tiger nodded. "Yeah, so will I. Maybe next time, Master Monkey?"
"Sure."
The red panda tapped his wooden staff twice on the stairway platform. "Five, go with Tigress and Tai Lung to the Hall of Heroes."
The Five departed with Tigress and Tai Lung toward the stairs, into the temple after their feline sister kept her brother from either Shen or Kai. Po knelt near his peacock student, his golden chi on his paw casting warm heal on Shen's sores and over his gray robe; Chen Xing and his panda colleague aided him by his wings arming behind the tiger's back.
"You alright?" the tiger asked the peacock.
"That beast—"
Shen stumbled his balance, but Po held him. "Easy, Shen. Let my best friend watch her student. You'll be separated from Tai Lung for now."
"Come on. Let's sit you down and relax," Xing advised, as Po gestured geese servants to offer the peacock a goza mat and some water.
Midday drifted toward the afternoon sunlight, which the sun cast its beam over the enormous mountain beside the whole palace, the cloud swimming past underneath ridges. While been perching on the goza mat, the peacock finally recovered some severe bruises; Shen envisioned the leopard's tendency, regarding his intrinsic techniques during the years of Kung Fu. He had strength, alright, but the peacock was agile than those who tried to oppose him. A daring one with the same speed and lethal would be a different story. Witting to certain of his leopard companion so relentless, where was Tai Lung's greatness?
Chen Xing fiddled his fu manchu under his chin. "Can my aunt be willing to control Tai Lung's agitation, Po?" the tiger beside Shen asked the panda, concerning the leopard's bold move.
"He's. . . Well, he's still confused," Po said with confidence. "Tai Lung still thinks I stole his right. Focused too much power, if you are wondering about the Dragon Scroll."
"It doesn't unveil secrets to which finding unlimited capability. There's only a solution to that, but it doesn't answer. It answers to what you believe."
The peacock motioned his tired wing. "What do you believe in?" Shen pondered.
"Honesty," the tiger answered. "Power doesn't suit me, but I find what's best for me to seek virtue. I fight for my family."
The albino approved, nodding to him. "Brilliant. You have heart, Xing."
Small wings flapped nearby, landed ahead of the three, and Zeng pardoned. "Po, Shen. Master Shifu wishes to see you now."
Po arose and helped Shen as the peacock did manage to rise from his talons. Chen Xing clasped his paws behind his back. "You guys go on. I'll catch up in a moment."
They nodded and went with Zeng toward the front gate of Jade Palace. Ahead of them, the red panda master eyed the Dragon Warrior's student. "How are your bruises, Shen?"
"I'll live," answered the peacock, giving his posture a normal look but masking his sinister view.
"He's good, Master," supported Po, who was giving much compliment to see his student earn the fight, but did either Shen or Tai win? They were far better but lethal enough as they became.
"Po. Lord Dongji of Gongmen City sent his invitation to you, and his father Shen," the red panda master handed Po the cobalt scroll and gold knobs. "I will offer Crane to travel with you three, including the Nine's Leader heading for the adventure."
"Great! We'll be traveling together, Shen!"
The peacock grunted, straightening his back from twitching his pain. "As long as I want peace and quiet, then I decide my taste this adventure."
"You two may go. I will share this with Crane soon. Make sure you gather your traveling bamboo and clothes tonight before tomorrow."
Po and Shen bowed to Shifu. "Got it. We'll be back in a couple of weeks and bring some awesome fortunes here!" He palmed the peacock's back. "Come, buddy. Let's wait for Xing."
Tiny Whiskers has gotten stronger. I liked that.
Kai brushed his ruffled mane as he had been crossing his lofty arms longer, regarding the second round of the quick and brawler. The next when the Mighty escaped from familiar flashes of tiny green eyes on the mountain steep, Lei Lei bent her wicked expression with the Nine's Heaver, who was chuckling with the young panda Bao. She beckoned her fist at the bull.
The tiger Xing stroked Lotus's forearms as they linked next to the group. The Nine's Messengers in the air delivered one traveling bag and the other a chokuto, wrapped in the sheath. "Okay. Lotus. I'll be gone for a few weeks. I'll send the Nine and our mother Xia some regards."
"Give Momma and our brother some kisses for me," Lotus simpered, clenching her arms over her tiger brother, bumping her head to his. She licked his cheeks. "My cookie!"
Xing chuckled. "I'll come back, Lotus. You know I always do," he blessed her forehead. He met Wolf Boss, who broke his grin, and General Kai caressing his fu manchu beard. "Look after your daughter for me, sir. And behave yourself to your teacher, Kai."
"For sure, Little Kitten," the bull bent his muzzle to a bitter smile. "Safe travels beyond the desert if I were you. The junk with rent sails sleeps."
"Thanks for the advice. Off you go, General. I'll see you later."
As the cloud from above swarmed away its streaming sheets of white, the sun stroking down its warming beam, Chen Ming kissed Chen Xing's forehead after they embraced fully. Once the Nine's Master sauntered behind the Nine as they went on down the stairway, Kai eyed on his shoulder to his feline teacher standing behind the Arena's Gate. His thought was something to reflect on the recognition of his soldiers, knowing their eyes had remained fierce, their muscles remained strong. I know those eyes. That soldier. . . What was his name?
One of his own was far better, unknown to the soldier's eyes that was the same as his teacher had.
Author's Note:
— Welp. . . That's another chapter of more than 5k (close to 6k, which I still have a habit of long words). I had some ideas for Tai Lung and Shen when I played Tournament of Legends before, but as I did record some clips (I played Lord Shen) fighting, I think Mortal Kombat does help me unleash their extraordinary skills. Writing on fighting scenes isn't that easy.
— I'm possibly getting closer to ending Volume Two, just about three more chapters to go. One for my main antagonist expecting to be proven worthy with our Mongol friend to meet one and only Khan, and the other two for the climax before Volume Three begins.
— This title would have fitted the name "Brawler and the Quick", which represents our leopard and peacock friends testing their strength while training. Instead, I use both acts anyway.
— The next chapter is ready, needing to re-read and self-edit before publishing it soon by next Friday or early. How do y'all like this one so far?