You had a great time watching the fireworks about a week ago?! Splendid! Easter eggs inbound! It can be anything that lies ahead, and can be the only fictional character while my favorite side OC Emperor Huangdi speaks!

Bad news: No more WiFi internet for me, guys! I use the mobile internet on my phone (slow speed) and took days writing this whole chapter, feeling exhausted and frustration (I'm cool now)! Enjoy reading while I must write chapters in my laptop on Google Docs offline! Remind me if you see mistakes! Wish my luck!

GZ

7/10/2018


Episode Nine: Haidao (41 - 46)


Chapter XLVI

The Holy Flame

I

The tiger and peacock followed the panda across the Southeast province. It was a thirty-minute stroll from Gongmen Jail. Po mainly recalled all sections, alleyways and long roads dead ahead. Walking through pavement paths, the panda instantly impacted by familiar growls: wolves, and one-eyed commander he including Po rode on small wooden coaches (the panda embracing one wheel stick he rapidly caught Zhong from Tigress's powerful thrust, boosting Po to reach Lord Shen's commander).

The day went hazy, the sun blessing and coloring into light orange and normal, white clouds prevailed on random movements among the horizon. The black and white bear strode on enormous light brown, tan-yellow concrete bricks, trimmed and detailed with prosperous flames forward to the front door. WHOA! Po collapsed his jaw; he witnessed in amaze the panda always had glimpsed many excellent places, artifacts, warriors' (even bandits) reputations.

The black metal gate. Crafted wooden barriers around with spikes, an emblem of the black peacock, bursting with crimson flames, and golden points that pointed wooden obstacles on all sides (previously two peacocks hailed with fire and grasped on metal tongs). Above the gate was a red Main Watch temple, black roof, crimson pillars bearing underneath the ceiling. The Main Watch was for high guards scanning visitors and a coach with four lifters coming from any wealthy, royal provinces. Sensing the breeze from the sea and close by dark rocks, the tiger and peacock held their breaths at once glimpsing at the front entrance.

Six antelope guards wore light-blue cotton robes, black with yellow lines on the sleeve edges, waists and below their garments, and conical hats. Behind their dresses, were gold summer tree, blowing leaves by the wind. They held triangular spears (three to the left grasped on right hooves, and three to the right wielded on left hands), giving their stern, awareness eyes as if antelope guards observed the panda and the tiger. What they sparked and widened their eyes, the albino peacock with blue train and crests spawned on Panda's left side.

Guards hailed and stood their defending positions, pointing all three warriors. "Oh!" Po stopped and spread his limbs he guarded Xing and Lao.

The chief antelope guard at the center pressed forward. "STOP! LEAVE THE AREA, NOW!"

The other defender joined next to him. "THE HOLY FLAME IS FOR ONLY EMPEROR'S COUNCILS!"

Emperor's Councils?! Po thought anxiously he dragged his head back. Have they forgotten about me and the Five? An unexpected feather touch On Po's left arm, Lao's head primarily ambled. "STAND BACK, PEACOCK!" an honor guard from the right side of the door, pounded his left foot forward he pointed the long, stainless blade stick.

The peacock noticed these guards they perceived, recalled Lord Shen before all antelope guards knocked down to the pavement by the albino's wing. Without hesitating and flinching, Lao folded his feathers in his sleeves. "Have you not recognize the emblem of the peacock on the front door, honor guard?" he demanded the chief, pointing the gate they easily discerned Gongmen City banner. "You should submit your weapons."

Many stood still; the alpha guard hammered his pole on the ground. "YOU SHALL NOT ENTER THE TOWER OF THE HOLY FLAME!"

"Wang! Can't you see the peafowl banner behind us?" a left antelope guard snarled and darted his left thumb at the black gate. "Let the boy in for Oogway's sake!"

"Have you forgotten Lord Shen who knocked us down to the floor, killed Master Rhino and jailed Ox and Croc?" the chief questioned angrily, he barely revolved his stern face as if this mean antelope scanned the young peacock close from being distracted. "This one can be the next who will terrorize the city!"

Doubting at him, Lao towered his long neck. "Before striping your ranks down, my companions and I have an authority from Emperor Huangdi to escort us entering my grandparents' tower," the Nine's Clever stated. Giving the fact that if this banner behind the guards meant a sign of the peafowls' homeland, these guards could have mute their tongues and let a royal peacock and a peahen enter the doorway.

Eyes were bubbling after hearing the peacock's thunderous statement in front of them. Grandparents' Tower?! The chief guard stunned in horror, and wide opened lips, dragging his head back at once Lao craned his head and beak near the guard's nose. "Now. If let us turn back, and Huangdi soon reveals the Dragon Warrior, my best friend and I are not at the courtyard, in the tower, or here at the front door right now, your reputations will crack into glasses. I, Prince Dongji, grandson of Lord Feng and Lady Muqin of Gongmen City, will inform the Emperor, so all six of you face punishments for disobeying Huangdi's order, and impolite in front of the Prince."

Shutting this argument accurately at the chief guard who stopped breathing for a moment, guards knew the Prince of Gongmen City could do such priorities, still young and following orders from the Emperor in a current matter. Next words if this guard spoke in defiance he would dishonor himself, and the rest of antelope guards! In a silent moment, while their throats went stiff and not to defy the young peacock Prince, the intricate gate of fire-breathing peacock opened into soft creeks and low booming growl.

"If anyone else defies against the Prince who follows the Emperor's command," Lao announced at frightfulness guards, "you will commit treason. Are we clear?"

"YES, SIR!"

Obeyed, the guards now have to comply with a Prince, far as Gongmen City's Prince who had ordered with the panda and the tiger from Huangdi. The tiger trembled his whole body while strolling behind his brother and the Dragon Warrior. "Oh, I'm shaking," the tiger frightened.

Murmurs and shocking voices thrived around the circulated border of the Holy Flame, and ahead of them.

That can't be Lord Shen's son! He's just like his father and acts like someone before Shen!

Is he the next Lord of Gongmen someday?!

Most words spread through the entire Courtyard, blinking into an instant glimpse of the identical white peacock, except for the secondary color of blue. Once strolling to the land of Holy Flame Courtyard, sixteen banner flags of Lord Feng's blue-green train billowed from the summer's breeze of the ocean. Temples, circle river, bridges and the Holy Flame Tower cast reflections of colors, brilliantly absorbed by the sun it sunk away from the white clouds. Flames were not aggressive onto all sides of this intricate building as if the blaze to people and masters once minded of Lord Shen's actual color. Fires were now calm with the watery flow, indicating friendly and making sure every lord, lady of the provinces welcome at the Council.

A long pathway took a while for three awesomeness warriors as Po easily recalled this walk before with the Five, once captured by wolves and Wolf Boss manifested Master Rhino's broken cloud hammer with the red sash ahead of the Main Square (where stairs occupy with a sophisticated, detailed fire-breathing peacock and five guan dao blades). There was no more wreckage, nor collateral debris on this beautiful courtyard. Most repaired, and covered.

Arriving at the Main Square from stairs, Xing, Lao and Po moved in toward the front wooden door with metal frames. Antelope guards in light blue and orange opened the entrance, shocking and eyes and mouth unlatching to glimpse the young peacock, seemed too young and immoral to judge this innocent Prince for no reason most guards would clarify him about his father. Their hearts stopped watching the albino with blue train proceeded. The floor indicated many suns and icons of moonlight spots with peafowl's fire train around the diameter. Over a hundred red-orange lanterns perched on five strings from the highest ceiling of the twelve floor. Eleven octagon ceilings, thousands of crafted fires crawling on all sides.

"My greatest enemy is here!" the panda beamed next to the tiger.

"Where?" Xing swam his head after climbing his voice.

"Right there!" Po guided his paw ahead. "Stairs!"

Lovely intricates of gold and red detailed whole surroundings on the first floor of the Holy Flame. The greatest enemy? A fancy, stairway to reach the top of the world? Of course, pandas sometimes hate stairs! When reaching any level to any pandas experience, their unmistakable excuse explained that no one could believe to anyone. Frustration! Tense muscles, heavy workout, heated and sweat furs and sore muscles! "We meet at last!" Po smirked he fisted to the air.

"How remarkable!" elder tone resonated.

A midnight boar with black mohawk fur strode from the red stairway. Dressed in a dark kilt and wrapped metallic wrists below boar's hands. "What an honor to please you, my beloved Prince. Welcome to the Tower of the Holy Flame," the boar's fingers clasped on Lao's feathers he shook.

Lao pulled his hands away from the boar. "Who are you, sir?" he asked.

The boar grinned. "I am Master Boar. A Kung Fu Council's Guardian who manifests politicians and the people over these historic floors and the Throne Room on the twelfth floor," he introduced, politely cleared his throat, straightening his back. "I assume you have entered your grandparents' property. Lord Feng and Lady Muqin would have surprised to see their lovely grandchild. But they, in their better place, brought their hearts absorbed with the light."

"Seems the Emperor sent not just three of us, brother," the tiger admitted next to Po. "He brought you here for a reason. Remember Huangdi spoke that he would venture you through cities and here in this Tower?"

"Yes," the peacock figured. "I would love to meet Shen's parents in front of my eyes, Master Boar."

Follow me, your Grace," he motioned his hoof toward the stairway. "Let me show you every floor and your grandfather's Throne Room."

"Here I go again! Let's see what I can beat these stairs!" the panda announced, a victorious voice he again fisted in the air.


Five Floors Later

STAIRS! WHY?! Po crawled in all fours near the fifth floor after all sections they strolled on. Breathing in loud and heavy, the black and white bear signaled after his hands landed on the fifth ground. "Go. I'll catch up!" Po panted.

"Let me help you with that, big guy," Xing gripped Po's left wrist and held the panda's arm behind the tiger's neck. The black fur silkened in light-saturated Xing sensed cold and warmth limb. "Having fun sweating, Po?"

"You would have become the panda, and realize how I feel," Po grunted, half laughing.

Each floor they strolled on the stairs and toured before the fifth floor. Noticing their arrival at the first level was the entrance and two back doors where you search the way toward the royal funeral garden to the left, and children's playground on the right side. The second floor indicated Soothsayer's Care and Children's chamber. Master Boar clarified all three that many young children desire staying and intersect their friendships along the Soothsayer telling night stories while their parents and accomplices venture their work in Gongmen City.

Third-floor icon represented a black pan and sauce steam, part of Kitchens Chamber when servants take a 3-hour cook, deliver the food to the royals and stash their cooking ingredients and leftovers on the central cooking station. The other three hours, other soldiers take turns as if tough men and women guards desire sustenance and fill their stomachs. Fourth and Fifty floors reflected servants (4th) and Honor Guard (5th) rooms; the fifth, however, stashed with honorary ranks, come for weaponry, and a small training area, part of the "school" room where high grades of Honor Guards educate privates and young teenagers at the age of seventeen.

Moving on to the sixth floor, masters flashed their eyes on over a thousand scrolls and books stashed on ten feet counters around the octagon room, with Meeting Area at the right corridor. The wise and the librarian share possible knowledge they browse for those who crave learning any work. Seventh held the Laboratory where peafowls and the Blacksmith adore hobbies they drew war/stone projects on work-in-progress maps. A keyhole with iron chains blocked the door from breaching, and unauthorized entry, especially any children not to enter this restricted room.

The eighth dazzled onto all eyes the panda, the tiger, and the peacock surveyed after their arrival with Master Boar. An enormous circular mahogany dining table, over a hundred seats of guests, masters, librarians, and peafowl nobles, white handkerchiefs, stained glass chopsticks and wine cups, and colorful dining candle holders towered on the tablecloths. A room in which consisted of admiring respective guests and honorary masters, children allowed in there to have amusement ideas.

"This dining room is where your grandparents entertain children," Master Boar gestured. "And when other nobles and honorary guests and masters interest having sustenance, Lord Feng and Lady Muqin offered lovely boys and girls with the Soothsayer from the second floor."

"Having those guys in a better mood, in other words," Xing determined.

"Correct."

Boar, Lao, Xing, and Po treaded toward the ninth floor, formerly the Royal Chambers where Shen, Muqin, and Feng slept in two, large rooms: their son's albino place, and blue and pink with elaborate feathers in a whole area to Shen's parents. The Ninth manifested the smooth, annular walls. Complicated crimson lines drew on many courses as if hundreds of names drafted at the beginning where they stood through the end next to the stairway behind it.

Pictures of peafowls and birds mounted elsewhere. Letting the panda release, the tiger squinted a rectangular icon "Royal Bloodline Museum." Every reputation around the circular room left with unfold legends. Xing browsed the east side he wondered the picture that stunned his mind. A blue peacock with smaragdine garment stood, guan dao pointed down between the Lord's feet, behind him were red fires crawling over the boundary Great Wall, dotted flames soared down to the peafowl's right side. Lord Li Han, the Mightiest Warrior.

"Wow! Guys, check this out over here!" Po cherished; the tiger strolled to the north circle. Behind Xing, the young albino ceased his right foot, and head revolved toward his right, flickering his crests wide and towered. Ahead of the tiger's eyes, the panda gestured the pointy finger at this marvelous, brilliant painting Po gasped inaudibly.

It was a white swan who dressed in long twilight pink gown hovered into the breeze of blossoms and tine pale jasmine. Long neck arched so you could see a look of the most beautiful woman who had shy eyes she nearly scanned the eyes of awe warriors. Silver feathers pressed on sides of her marvelous body. Eyes were glittering to a heaven horizon of cobalt like Xing's mother. Light orange beak and a small black line on the bridge of her nose. A lovely swan wore a smaragdine heart necklace, part of her entitlement as the Lady of Gongmen.

"How beautiful!" the tiger gasped.

The panda meandered near the painting. "Now that's a beautiful white swan! Have I heard this lovely queen before? I never know she was living here in peafowls' tower!" He sniffed the picture. "Oh! I love the smell of jasmine!"

"This swan seems attractive, but sad, Po," he interrogated, slightly interested Xing brushed his Fu Manchu. "If before Shen's parents past away, then did they inherit this adorable woman?"

"Good question! I don't know," the panda shrugged at him. Po's feet continued tapping by his utter exciting and right-hand pointing. "Look, there!"

What exactly happened to her? A name never discovers in my presence. She seems familiar. Hopefully, legends reveal the legacy of her. Xing thought. That could not be Lao's long, lost friend around her youth age like my brother's when his grandparents volunteered this Swan lady.

"It's your dad and grandparents, Lao!" The black and white bear astounded. Shaking his reflection, Xing joined them and lifted his heart as both eyes of deep blue met; it was a young albino lord grasped on his pink and blue peahen lady's right side, next to him on Shen's left was a blend of ocean and smaragdine peacock. Tall lord. The large train matched the peacock lord's long robe. "Look at their smiles. They were a happy family, don't you think, buddy?" Po asked Lao.

"This tower seems astounding, isn't it, my children?" The elder, fruity tone summoned.

Three warriors and Master Boar rotated. "My Emperor," all bowed at the water buffalo who arrived after strolling from the stairs behind him.

"You may go now, Master Boar," the buffalo nodded with a pleasant expression. The boar pressed his palmed hoof he bent his body forward. Nevertheless, the Emperor noticed Master Boar who preferred hospitality, which proper personal, encouraging, and friendly manner. Him leaving toward the stairs, the buffalo's eyes met three warriors' eyes. "Come with me to the Throne Room."

Three floors later were in a slight pace as if Huangdi proceeded the panda, the tiger, and young peacock browsing in the Throne Room instead of Guests/Prestige Masters Area (10th), and Royal Chambers (11th). Their heads held their mouths opened; crafted golden columns, dark gray marble glass floor, season banners pinned on four circular pillars of red, blossom, green, and blue with snow. Ceiling Compound windows of flames, heart, yin-yang, spread-wings, and water surrounded the Throne Room. Metal lotus fire bowls perched on both sides at the midst of the octagon platform.

On the platform, it was a ravishing Throne Chair of sapphire and yellow feathers. These colors represented a light from out of the darkness, and the son of heaven Lao considered as if his crests fell by the look of his astonishment. Gold roots underneath the marble floor with constellations dominated through the pillars to the moonlights ceiling. The young lord stood ahead of his grandfather's throne, caressing the elegant and thin glass layer handles, made of metal, shaded white and blue it embedded and matched Lao's color.

"Masters Ox and Croc found your grandfather's Throne Chair beneath the depths of circular water flow near Muqin's Garden," the Emperor clarified as he clasped both hooves ahead of his belly. "They had helped by Gongmen's residence as the people grabbed the giant ropes from the Junk Ship and heaved the Throne out of the water after the masters tightened the strings around it."

Impressed and as brushing the sapphire train, Lao detected no signs of damages and dints as if the chair was finished embedding and shining the looks of the colors( which could take hours and difficult to clear). "Peafowls were the most pleasant, and intelligent birds in all of China, Prince Dongji. Most of the time, I met your grandfather Lord Feng at my youngest age. What he described himself including peacocks, they were all encouraging in front of the people, and love with great care."

"How do you know Lao's father, my Emperor?" Po determined, questioning in wondrous. Northwestern window billowed; the panda and Emperor Huangdi followed the breeze's cooling whisper from dry. Prince Dongji proceeded behind them and his tiger brother toward the circular balcony. Marking their eyes, they feasted, hundreds of pavement roads, apartments, the sea reflected the sun's yellow bliss it touched waves. Mountains faded into a hazy pale blue. "You and Shen seem to know each from the beginning."

"I was his closest friend," the Emperor admitted his nonchalant tone.

"You knew Lord Shen well, my Emperor," the tiger politely said, resting his belly onto the front golden balcony rail, nose meeting the blend of the city's noodles, rice, sea salt. "Despite Shen what he was before himself seeking into the immoralities, his parents introduced their son to you."

"Yes, my child. I met Lord and Lady's prince during my father's meeting on the fifth floor of Sacred Flame," the water buffalo commented, felt his lungs lifting heavier he gently shut his yellow eyes, remembering honorable, clear voices of fruity and sandy from Lord and Lady of Gongmen City they sang in Huangdi's eyes. Opening wide, the Emperor pointed his hoof after Lao stood next to him, the panda, and Xing. "Outside at their garden, they were small, adorable creatures they played prosperous across the bridges and a house inside where children's Nana stood and watched on the platform. I was the only tallest who wore long, golden silk garment.

"While Soothsayer trekked many of us through lands near the river flow and Harbor, three bullies defied Young Shen. He was ten, maybe eleventh age I saw the prince sauntering with a wolf who guarded him against water buffalo, and two foxes. One boy threw his punch at Zhong's left cheek, knocked him out cold. And two fox children intercepted Shen, tore his garment and plenty of his train feathers."

The Emperor let out his long, exhausted sigh, turning to six amazing eyes. "I lifted both cruel foxes and flattened their heads; I smashed them together," Huangdi continued, and inhaled flatly. "Of course, I was the only giant buffalo prince who wished to interact with children. Then, the arrogant boy stunned in horror and mocked me for hurting his friends they struck Shen. I fought him, giving the buffalo bully no mercy for insulting the Emperor's son. Me."

The tiger and panda looked at themselves in discern, yet experienced the Emperor's little confidence. Huangdi's yellow eyes from the sun shrunk his flares. "We brawled on the side of the Harbor land where ships sail and disembark. The fight took him a while enough to manifest who was underestimating the Emperor's son. The stranger's red eyes glared at me. I could not bear his apology for what the boy did to your father. When struggling and I had a chance of ending the fight, Shen interfered beside me, and the boy hurled him off toward the Harbor."

Xing held his lips and brushed his Manchu. "Mother of blessings," the tiger rose his eye stripes in deep condolence.

Pu tugged his lips. "That's horrible!" The panda mourned.

"Later after saving Shen with Zhong, Peafowls and my father arrived when we all reached back the Sacred Flame Courtyard, demanded questions thunderously and worried to Feng and Muqin I felt my heart shrink. Realizing I told them all, my father wrongfully exiled the boy's parents including him, knowing Young Shen and I struck from three kids." For a moment, the buffalo shook, closing his eyes Huangdi glared a memory of his father who pointed his hoof toward the buffalo bully family and wolf guards grasped their arms (except the boy) and forced them out of the province and the city.

Calming in strict, squint eyes, the Emperor opened his dawn eyes. "There were no other words about the bully and parents after a few days; Lord Feng and Lady Muqin welcomed me back in the Tower with hospitality, blessing me I salvaged their son, and their son thanked me." He smirked.

"You do mention Lord Shen more. Zhong minded of him, what my father was. And now, I do not know how I will pardon him after I violently fought Shen, my Emperor," Lao's crests pulled down. "I fear myself that later on in life, I will be like him."

"Fear not, Prince Dongji. What is more important, is for you glimpse the future of unknown and today's gift. Never be the next Shen, my child. Be you and only Prince Dongji who craves Lord Feng's glory." The Emperor advised the young peacock. "If you wish to become Lord of Gongmen -" Huangdi added, "- you must save this city and China."

The peacock's lungs thronged the air Lao felt his feathers towering behind him. Seeking the Emperor's eyes which met the peacock's shy visions, the Nine's Clever surveyed the whole crepuscular lights, thick sheets of the beam on the right and thinner on left brushed against many tiny houses, apartments and section roads absorbed. A bit strange to him when trekking through the prospering town, but this city also welcomed him in hospitality. "This tower can be your home now, Lao," the panda went on, his voice delightfully rose to a critical moment he grinned his lips and eyes glowing green. "As if you can stay here, you are welcome to this phenomenal city!"

The tiger grasped on the balcony rail, reflected gold dimmed and illuminated his chest from the horizon of yellow cheese. "You wished to become a farmer instead of being a Lord," Xing minded, a little reasonable he met his brother's eyes. "Becoming the Lord of Gongmen soon is a good thing you shall look after this city and many villagers here. For that purpose -" he pointed the city without peering, "- you will not be the same, but some things cannot change."

"I agree," Lao accepted. The young albino turned to the Emperor beside him. "Am I the heir to my grandfather's throne after Shen, my Emperor?"

"Even though before my father commanded your grandparents they forbade their child, Young Shen went banished and no longer have the next inheritance in Gongmen. You are born from the North and have a true risk legacy your grandparents desired the next heir. Their young Lord Shen would not become the next Lord of Gongmen by my father's authority."

"My grandparents knew me before they died, my Emperor?" he asked.

"They had," the Emperor nodded. "Your wolf friend messaged to Shen's peahen mother I summoned him. Every year before the demise of peafowls, Commander Zhong wrote over a hundred scrolls during his and your father's exile, sharing a tale of your precious mother occupying in the North who looked after Shen and her village. Even you-" Huangdi palmed the peacock's back. "-After my father's passing in a month later, your grandmother Lady Muqin stood here, right next to me that not only thinking of her son miserably, but she loved meeting in front of her grandson's eyes, and offered me her script for you."

The Emperor revealed a grayish, elaborate scroll, designed with bright constellations of stars, and wavy winds drifted beyond. The center of it marked with a red emblem that glued after Huangdi opened the scroll. "This Testament is from Lord Feng and Lady Muqin. This scroll has survived after your father destroyed his tower," Huangdi clarified. Feasting the script into the grayish scroll, Lao locked on the astounding manuscript he wanted scrutinizing what his grandparents desired before their death. The Emperor continued. "This crucial scroll is for only eyes of the Emperor and Peafowls' grandson. For now, the battle is not far away, and it is wise reading the Testament later after we win."

Echoes from salty and tree breeze rolled by thunderous war drums. Da-da-boom-boom, Da-da-boom-boom. Repeatedly as the drums sang, the tiger determined the rhythm. "Allies," Xing smirked.

"Yes! We got reinforcements!" Po fisted into the air.

Small shades of road clouds of dust marched and pressed against the northwestern border. Eight eyes zoomed this unique view of allies trekking; a small dot soared among the wispy cloud which announced the Emperor's name admirably. "My Emperor!" The black crow landed on the porch ahead of the rail. The bird with sky vest and gray pants rushed his breaths. Panting, he rose his head. "It's Vachir's son and the Anvil of Heaven! They request your support!"

"Oogway's prayer has answered!" The Emperor's healthy, elder tone announced he grinned and palmed Lao's back.

"And my Emperor. The Anvil received terrible news." The black crow stated, continued panting.

The Emperor's back seemed to brush and climbed on the buffalo's eyes he inhaled. "What is wrong, Sir Nam?" he asked after lifting his eyebrows.

Every word depended on most circumstances that not all warriors and villagers embarked on hearing the grave news. Whether sad or stunning, the crow Sir Nam trembled his beak, feathers quivering. Xing's eyes sharpened. "You are right, sir. We are outnumbered."

Xing's head jerked away. "Huoju and the Fire Clan are close." The tiger figured anxiously.

"If that is a war they want, we will give them war." The Emperor shouted right hoof approached and clenched.

"Sir?! At what cost?!" The crow quaked in horrendous.

"On twilight, call out half of the Bear's Army march their positions. The other half will gather many pacifists and villagers to Vu City and northern village. If anyone has nowhere else to go: send them all inside the Undercity Ruins. Women and children first. Men must fight with us, and the other fighters look after the Ruins."

The Emperor's general priority shook every person's inner body. "But how many, my Emperor?" The blackbird demanded.

"As many as possible," he commanded discreetly. Eying on the six eyes after the bird retreated, Huangdi ordered the warriors from his view. "Prince Dongji, you linger in the Tower; Zhong and his wolves will arrive here. Masters Po and Xing, send pandas and your villagers with the Five to the Undercity Ruins. The Nine must stay with Bear's forces."

"Yes, my Emperor!" three bowed to him.


II

The twilight was breaking its wave of blossom and dark heaven horizon of cobalt. The sun breathed its last beam of tangerine toward the sea - and a shade of crimson behind the mountain sceneries made ghost murmurs; deathly movable trees, infectious, quiet roars vibrated. Hundreds of thousands of yellow lanterns rushed on southern terrain; horrendous people of Gongmen hurried their children and prevailed out of their homes. This city was no longer safe for them. Not one or any liked to involve this pandemonium battle as if villagers' blood only bond of encouraging and respective; no warriors that these villagers could risk their souls for their families protected from hatred, and ruthless bandits.

If friendlies won, damages on homes and the rest of the city would repair, depending on months and years. If enemies won, things could go ugly and no longer part of the land that protected citizens: getting clashed, getting intimidated, and worst, getting slaughtered alive.

The tiger held on his adoptive peahen mother's back and grasped Xia's feather they sauntered behind the pandas and many villagers of the Valley of Peace. The Prosper Valley folks followed them both, terrified and as the raging fire from the northwestern border ghostly snarled at anyone. Once the light approached, it feared your eyes and heart. Waiting on a thick line of black and white bears embracing citizens toward the gray stone dragon's mouth, the tiger sensed a murmur yellow light on his right side.

It was the panda who wore the same outfit on that day from Kong Bai Stadium, who wore the same robe that he defeated the Jade Slayer in the Spirit Realm. "Son. Please, stay with your dad and us. I will not lose you again after that big Ox took you away from me." Li Shan gripped his son's paws.

"I am not, dad!" Po shook, dominating his hands on his father's while calming. "I have to finish this fight, once and for all. This city and my friends need me."

"If you go out there, let us go with you, son!" Mr. Ping spat and drew a chef knife from his left sleeve, sharpened edges and glossy on a blade he readied chopping farm foods. Mr. Ping is no joke slicing against bandits if they hurt his (theirs to Li Shan and Mr. Ping) baby!

"Huoju's gangs can kill you both!" Po backed the goose off and motioned the knife elsewhere. "Ninety thousand bandits including him are on their way here, and I have to end this madness!"

The black and white bear dashed toward the section and the base barricade. "Po! Where are you going?!" Both Li Shan and Mr. Ping hailed.

"I'm heading back to Gongmen Jail! Let Shifu and my friends know I am there!" the Dragon Warrior answered his two dads while running toward the brown and jade door. "Stick with our people, and stay in Undercity, dads! I will be right back with you, guys!"

"Po's not going alone!" the snow leopard Peng leaped next to him from the second-floor apartment above the panda. "Let's get going!"

Shutting the door from rhino guards, a bunny child sobbed behind the peahen and next to the elder yak master from Tanhuang, a father of two boys who carried the rabbit farmer on his right shoulder, a friend of Xing's grandmother; many villagers gasped, dragging the tiger's head where their eyes widened. The city grew their horror and hail.

Black, red and white sparks spat underneath the apple sky, struck onto the fifth watchtower of the Northern border. KA-BOOM-BOOM, KA-BOOM-BOOM! Drums played beyond the limits.

The fourth tower beside it hurled back with giant triangular flag and wooden catapult. These bandits are going mad! Xing reflected, deep inside his heart trembled as he shut his mother's eyes. "MOMMY, THEY ARE COMING CLOSE!" the girl's innocent voice cried behind the yak and the bunny villagers. War howls sang among the rooftops. Over thirty wolves sprinted on all fours, bounding and reaching toward the other side of the apartment roofs. Rhino guards of sky blue armor marched near the next land Uptown Docks in a couple of blocks away.

Many entered the gray dragon's mouth, a tunnel where the Undercity thrived in. An ancient subterranean land it was built for the protection of peafowl nobles, and civilians if the city soon jeopardized; a temple where to seek fashioned and historical artifacts. Tunnels breathed out into a shiver you could sense tips of your skin: limbs, legs, and fur entering. Old tunnel corridors thronged people's cry, random villagers pulling their loved ones who volunteered into war, desperately have no choice but to unite with soldiers and fight for children's future.

Xing's nose twitched from the clay it browsed elsewhere he sensed. His right arm once hooked from his adoptive mother's feathers. "Xing. Where is my son?" Lady Xia demanded, worried.

Xing's paw brushed the peahen's back. "Lao is at the Tower with the Emperor, Mom. He'll be safe there including Zhong." The tiger said.

Ten short paths later, the tiger searched a gap area: substantial sphere room, structures combined harden and dried tan. The sphere room had no door, only lit with twilight blue by concrete holes above the room. This area could have the peahen, plenty of villagers and pandas linger. Rest of the halls yet crowded and nearly full. "Stay with me," Lady Xia being frightening, begged the tiger she surrounded her arms over Xing's back.

"I am sorry, Mom. The Nine and Five need me," he shattered his tone, arms tightened, heads met, chests quietly trembled. "Kong and Mrs. Yan have your back. I will come back to you after the battle ends."

"Whitey, Whitey," sweet, delightful voice rose Xing's eyes and black ears. His belly and spine were crushing, a sound of knuckles popping the panda teenager Lei Lei embraced the tiger.

Gasping in astonishing, Xing grinned. "And you too, Lei Lei," he palmed Lei Lei's head in croaked tone. After returned his voice normally, the tiger brushed the girl's shoulders. "Stripey and I will be busy kicking bandits' butts. Look after Mei Mei, the pandas, and Peng's two sons."

The interior on the Ruin's corridors seemed delicate and ancient. Xing wished these halls meant searching ways more comfortable than the paths seemed complex to follow many directions. Notwithstanding from the tiger's eyes after watching fearful eyes of the people hiding and perching on sides of the corridors, Xing gazed on the sign behind him where he once entered with Xia, indicated Library.

"Birdie, Birdie," Lei Lei called, eyes bubbling and meeting at Lady Xia's. I love this girl. The tiger thought, cracking his lips.

His right ear bent. The tiger held his breath. Somewhere across the corridors to his right, made a wicked laugh; it was the giant's chortle. No person, nor warrior sensed what Xing's heart was lifting - he could not believe what this familiar beast tone would be inside this intricate corridors!

It was the Collector's laugh.


III

That's impossible! Xing thought, gasping quietly.

It was the Collector who echoed to Kai's yell in the tiger's head. Other echoes boomed in Xing's ears. Voices entered: Oogway's, soldiers', and woman's pitch cry. Most surroundings went ghostly quiet. Inaudible voices entered Xing's eyes caught everyone's lips moving. Confusing when his hearing returned, the tiger overheard the guard's shout. "Last call! Fifty villagers from Prosper Valley!" The yak guard made a rough announce Xing turned his head, led to left corridor the tiger found the guard who gestured his hoof.

The other guard from the right intersection hailed. "There's only a room for them, Lieutenant!"

"Right this way, everyone!" Xing gestured his villagers.

His people followed Ming's grandson. His black ears again twitched, bent from his right. Burn them all! Supreme Warlord's bulky tone boomed, white furs and black stripes towered behind Xing's back. BROTHER, GET DOWN! Two blocks down the path as the tiger including his villagers arrived, a circular pathway introduced. Warm and cold battled within its space. Above the circle entrance, a board sign brilliantly shaded Xing's eyes he scrutinized.

Lord Li Han's Artifacts Room.

"Master Panda, do you know where Po is?" an elder, anxious Shifu interfered. Letting the villagers including the yak master and the rabbit infiltrate Li Han's room, Xing inhaled and scanned the red panda master who stood in front of Po's two dads at two doors away. The bird Crane walked behind Shifu.

"My son went to Gongmen Jail, Master Shifu," Li Shan answered.

The panda's reply towered Shifu's eyes and ears. "Why would he go there, now?" He demanded, a perplexing shock.

"Li and I tried to stop him, Shifu. He wanted to meet that snow leopard, and some man who nearly destroyed this city," the goose replied, emotionally staggering. "Something to meditate with the peacock."

Po cannot go near Tai Lung and Lord Shen! What if they will strangle him and kill us all?! Shifu worried. Structures seemed slight vibrating from the whispering boom outside. Dust poured on walls. Pots, plates, glasses shook its surfaces. "Crane. Bring Po to Bear's Quarter and met all of us there. Get him out of there!" Shifu commanded.

"I'll go get him, Master!" Crane sprinted and spread his wings he flew through the halls.

The tiger's pupils shrunk. A female's breathy voice called into him. Another came to a soft, vibrant wave it screamed. There was nothing hurled toward him, neither his people listened as they held their arms and perched on all sides. His fingers brushed on his right ear. Entering the Artifacts Room, Xing ambled his feet onto circulated structures of ancient relics, banners.

The elder goat sauntered and followed the tiger's path behind him. Xing could not sight her, nor heard a wooden cane Soothsayer held on her strength. "Fascinating," Soothsayer Mali witnessed.

Beside her, Monkey ambled on all fours who overheard the goat's fantastic voice. "Madam Soothsayer. What is it?"

"Monkey," the monk heard the alpha's call. Tigress rushed from two blocks away she approached him. "Where is my nephew?" she asked nonchalantly.

"Er -" Monkey guided Tigress, oddly squared his eyes. "I think Xing's going crazy."

"Is something wrong with your ears, Master Xing?" Mali inquired, walking within the Artifacts Room. Monkey and Tigress followed her.

Villagers' heads went swimming, inquiring and reviewed Xing's thin lips nearly opened. Peering into ancient counters filled with relics and fashioned items perching, the tiger bent his knee forward and rose on three feet pavement from the circulated middle ground. His eyes were flashing - a pale flash spawned on the structure ahead of him.

The elder yak master and the rabbit ambled their space away they let the tiger master investigate and wander forward. Below white letters that sparkled, the mahogany box without a keyhole or latches sprung its area, the tiger glimpsed. After opened, white letters scripted on stable structure Xing locked his eyes on the writing. It was the same poetry words on the night Xing remembered The Mightiest Warriors scroll he read along the Jade Palace Masters, the Nine, and two Gongmen Masters in Hemisphere Library from Jade Palace.

She who craved her brother's sorrow

A sister darted her brother's misfortune.

Those who caress the sword's gloss,

It calls to a soul from the heart of a sword's gleam,

Those who wield the Heaven Blade,

Thou shall avenge the departed,

A new hope will unleash the wrath of Wugu.

- Li Han

Monkey rolled his head. "Xing? Are you okay, pal?" he asked, slightly confused and determined the tiger's head going quivered.

They looked into their eyes. The wise and madam Soothsayer discerned the tiger who towered his black ears. Something in her thoughts was surveying what lied in front of Xing mysteriously unlatched. The box has opened. No lock, or a keyhole it guards against anyone. Someone is speaking in Xing's head. I can feel his heart, and so can the light. Inside the box, it calls to him! Soothsayer thought.

Looking down to the drawer, Xing breathed in and moved his head forward, widened at the opened-box as if Monkey and Tigress behind him sauntered close when the tiger's agitated, confused eyes squared at the sword. It was a twilight scabbard with ocean sageo cord that sheathed the sword. The grip was black tsuka with blue cord wrap and gray tsuba. The katana was perching on the midnight blue velvet; Xing's eyes reflected from the shine in between the sheath and the guard. What sang the tiger's ears, including Oogway and Kai's voices? War? Vicious warriors? And female's scream?

A soft eardrum entered Tigress's ears. The Five's alpha brushed her left ear. Her amber eyes shrunk pupils. She could not believe it! The beast's wicked laugh echoed inside of Tigress's mind. You cannot be! She thought after gasping, horrified and swam her crown around the Artifacts Room. "Tigress? What's wrong?" Monkey questioned worriedly.

Her amber eyes flared. "Xing, get away from that box!" She warned; her nephew's ears did not meet Tigress's frightfulness voice. Tigress can hear someone, too. Soothsayer determined.

His ears only listened to the melody of light, and the Collector's sorrowful sob. Xing's paws breezed from the sword's surrounding. Cold. Heavily whispered melody light. His hand stretched and reached out the glossy casing. Was he allowed to touch this ancient relic and the rest without permission? What if voices were real to him, but not shown themselves in front of Xing while the sword sang it's war cries?

Thunder boomed, and Xing's gasp rattled with his eyes shut hard. Xing's body swam out and absorbed out of his soul as the waves splash, leaving his real body and both Monkey and Tigress behind.

His lips screamed at his aunt.


You almost fell from the cliffhanger? I know how you feel. One last chapter to go before you face the battle Bringing this idea, I checked on YouTube and watched the KFP 2 game to bring Undercity in my book.

Have you found any easter egg characters? I love to bring any OCs I am a huge fan. I encourage you to read Donovan94's The Vow for Lord Shen, and SheyConYamo's Redemption for Kai! Their books are fantastic to read!