Author's Note: Hey again! Yet another one here! And let me tell you, this chapter practically wrote itself. Believe me, I'm extremely happy with the way this came out and can't wait for you guys to read it. We're spending a bit of time with our villains yet again, and you'll be seeing a few things you might not have been expecting. Also, a little treat for you guys. There are a few easter eggs to one of the fandom's most well known stories, they're pretty obvious but seeing the situation I was writing, it felt fitting. Anyways, enough of my ramble, let's get on with it!

Oh! Quick warning btw: A bit of spiciness (really tame) and sensitive topic matter (not so tame).

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN KFP!

Enjoy.

A Time for Action

"Mimi's love palace, huh?" A sly smirk is lathered on Su Wu's face as she shares a humorous glance with her sisters, "I have to say, that is certainly the last place I'd think to look."

Zhongcheng responds with a dry chuckle, a notable irritation lingering in his creased features. He pulls out a set of wooden figures from his desk drawer and places them on the table, right on top of a map of the forbidden city. From the other side of his desk stands Gongjiang with intense concentration evident in his gaze and the Wu-sisters who still wear their sly smiles. "The emperor is cleverer than he may seem, and far more daring than I expected." He grumbles, setting the figures down in seemingly random positions on the map.

"Aw, you've made figures of us? How sweet. I assume you had a lot of fun making Wan's." Wing presents a mocking sneer to the wolf commander, but immediately backs down once he glares back, much to her sister's satisfaction.

Dark blue searchlights stare down at the map in contemplation, shifting their positions as he takes everything into consideration. "Now is not the time to be playing coy. Now is the time to strike."

Yellow irises dart between the figures, amused by the crude novelty of the design of her sisters, Gongjiang and the commander, but intrigued about the two groups of wolves and alligators. "So, we're finally getting some action." Wan notices him move the alligators into the western waters.

"Correct." He shifts the squadron of wolves and the bison to the east side of the city, gaining Gongjiang's questioning glance. "They may be aware of my presence, but now we have the means to have them at our mercy."

This incites another inquisitive look from his bison brother as he moves the Wu-sisters along the board, "The cannons?" Gongjiang asks, knowing that he is correct and yet, he isn't as well. He can see a dark plot coursing in his brother's eyes as he moves the commander's piece on the map.

As expected, dark blue gazes into stale orange as Zhongcheng only replies with a miniature, knowing smirk. His brother smiles back, earning a suspicious glare from the Wu-sisters barring their leader. Su has a feeling that she may already know what is going on in their heads, and she can't decide if she wants to be right or not. Now finished moving the pieces around, the white wolf grabs a paint brush and scribbles down manoeuvres, directions and actions around the figures before looking to his brother with a silent question.

After a brief inspection, Gongjiang gives him a stern nod, "Looks good." His rumbling affirmation draws Su Wu's confusion as she looks to the figures scattered on opposite sides of the city. Within mere seconds she finds a better alternative.

"Are you sure?" She adds, gaining the former imperial soldiers' curiosity, "I don't see any reason to split up out forces; when we can focus all of our power on the cannon facility and then invade the emperor's palace through the tunnels." Though this suggestion is far from bad, there is one part that the diligent snow leopard is missing.

"It wouldn't work. The elite guards would collapse the tunnels the moment we set foot in the factory." Her suggestion is immediately shot down by the bison, but Wing's scepticism kicks in.

"And how exactly do you know they would do that?"

"Because it is standard protocol." Zhongcheng responds in a tone that chokes out any space left for argument, "Those tunnels have been here since the empire's inception. Every soldier that has been stationed in the forbidden city has been taught to destroy the tunnel passage if there were any threats nearby." Shifting his gaze between the three sisters, he notes their stillness as well as the lust still tingling in Wan's eyes. Speaking of which, "If that is all settled." He sets his sights her, "I need to speak with you, alone." Not giving her a second to respond, he heads to the door to his office, leaving her no choice but to follow him. Whilst Wing rolls her eyes, her younger sister gives her a smug smile and a mocking wink as she follows her white wolf out the door.

They enter the room just opposite them, with the wolf holding the door open for his leopard. Inside it is a very simple space with minimal decorations aside from a dimly lit lantern and a plain futon. Zhongcheng's bedroom. Wan can count on both her paws how many nights she's spent here and with her ears flicking at the sound of him locking the door behind him, she may have to start counting on her hind paws too. A lascivious grin on her lips, she turns to face him, eyes half-lidded and hungry for the powerful commander. "Want to get to the fun already, handsome?" To her satisfaction, he shares her expression and approaches her until they are just a foot apart. Leaning close to her ear, he whispers.

"I know what you're up to."

Yellow irises shrink in horror, but she tries to keep her voice steady, "I'd be worried if you didn't. Now c'mon, make this kitty purr already." This attempt at seduction fails to move him even a single inch, instead, it makes him chortle to himself.

"It isn't wise to treat me as clueless, my dear. I'm well aware that your sisters have put you up to this, and I have a pretty good guess as to what end this will serve." Her heart drops, definitely no getting out of this one. But wait, he wouldn't… dispose of her or anything right? They're so close to conquest, it would only cause problems if he did something like that. What is he after?

Seeing the gears turning in her mind, Zhongcheng continues, "But, as you can already tell I'd prefer our little… escapade to not end so soon." Without warning, he grabs her by the waist and reverses their positions, pinning her back to the door and placing his right paw on the wall just by her head. "I have a proposition." Not a word in response, only a bamboozled, distracted stare. Bamboozled at the sudden movement and distracted by his body pressing up against hers. "I will provide a more generous amount of land to your sisters than we first agreed upon, and in exchange." She feels his left paw glide along her hip and up her waist, sending a welcome chill across her body, "You can stay in the capital, with me."

Now that is unexpected. Her eyes widen to dinner plates, the irony of her proposing the same thing not lost upon her, but why? Is it genuine, or does he have something more sinister in mind? Unfortunately for Wan, this consideration doesn't pop up in her mind. Instead, his hot touch makes her heart race and his offer only makes her body tingle more. "You… mean that?"

"Of course." His left paw completes his journey up her body and cups her cheek, only making those pleasurable shivers into full-fledged tremors. "I find your presence, your body," As he moves his maw up to the side of her neck, his hot breath drops a massive weight upon hers. "your scent…" He buries his nose in the side of Wan's neck, making her bite her bottom lip with an amorous, pulsing want for more. "Intoxicating…" With this whisper, he pulls his head back, releasing an unconscious whimper from the anticipating feline. Chuckling in response, he continues, "And I see you feel the same. What better way to fulfil both our needs than to be able to indulge in each other whenever we like?"

Dark blue eyes stare deep into yellow, adopting the same lustful shine that infects her. Quivering at his intensity, her body desperately wants her to say yes, but her mind butts in. How can she even consider abandoning her sisters like that? But then, would she be abandoning them? They would be far better off with a deal like this. Plus, if they can keep this going, then they would be on the soon-to-be emperor's good side. And that's ignoring the obvious benefits. But then comes one question. One that she isn't entirely sure of the answer to. She's snapped out of her thoughts as the commander presses his body even closer to hers, only fuelling her lust further. His eyes are now half-lidded, asking for an answer yet already knowing what it might be. Regardless of his… charms… her body manages to make an agreement with her mind, allowing her to make sure of one last thing.

"How do I know you're telling the truth?"

This sensual whisper only leaves room for a single answer, one that Zhongcheng is happy to oblige to. He leans his head forward, closing his eyes as their lips meet in a gentle yet passionate kiss. Her body moves on its own, welcoming his tongue into her mouth and letting it melt onto hers, heated by a longing anticipation. Her quiet moan is muffled by their intense lip-locking, prompting him to wrap his arms around her waist and press their bodies even closer together. Wanting even more, Wan wraps her paws around his neck and hooks her right leg around his hip as she kisses back with a fiery, salacious intensity. Grinning through their kiss at this, the commander is tempted to push this further, but he can't falter now. Not when victory is almost assured. With some effort, Zhongcheng, pulls away, a bridge of saliva linking their tongues together. They heave heavy breaths, lungs pleading for air but lips hungry for more of the other. "Easy, Wan. We'll have plenty of time for fun later." She doesn't even notice the whimper that escapes her maw, prompting an endeared chuckle from him. Purrs rumble through her throat as he caresses and scratches her ear with his paw. "C'mon, we have work to do."

As the hot and bothered couple cool down, Su Wu and Wing Wu analyse the commander's battle strategies from all sides whilst Gongjiang finds his sight magnetised towards his brother's golden breastplate. Longing is reflected in its surface yet shrouded in dust, a life of honour and glory clouded by years of brutality. Over 20 years have passed and yet his days serving the imperial crest still remain fresh. Day when he could celebrate with his brothers after a job well done. When viewing the emperor's palace wasn't part of reconnaissance, but simply acted as a marvellous view. A twinge of regret pings at his soul, wishing that he could call Zhonglei 'brother' rather than 'traitor', praying that there is some slim chance things could go back to the way they were. This regret soon shifts into a single memory, one that will never leave his mind.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Pickaxes wedged their way into hardened stone, probing the cavern walls for metal ore and crystals.

Clang!

A chorus of monotonous, grating sounds pounded into the ears of the countless children shackled together. Sounds, though painful, would never match the misery branded into their souls.

Clang!

Back and forth, back and forth their arms would go until the muscle aches ripped tears out of their eyes and kicked them to the floor. That lactic acid poisoning their body was a blessing compared to what awaited them if they dared fall to the ground.

A whip crack and a scream. A whip crack and a scream. A whip crack and then nothing. The cold, searing, endless sting often put them into shock. Didn't stop their tormentors, for the whip cracks would continue to echo throughout the mineshaft.

Clang!

A brown bison calf and white wolf pup stood together, draped with rags, bound by their ankles, and chipping away at the rocks in fruitless automation. Their swings got weaker with each hit, the heartless pickaxe trying to drag their arms to the ground. Darkness enveloped the chilling caves as a single lantern provided a meagre, pathetic glow to the cavern tunnel.

Stale orange irises scanned the surroundings, not a single slave driver in sight. A perfect chance to do the unthinkable. He gave full control to his pickaxe and allowed it to slip to the floor, much to his friend's shock. He flopped onto his bottom, coughing and wheezing uncontrollably as he tried to catch his breath. Molten knives dug into his muscles whilst hammers beat into his bones, making every breath he heaved a catastrophic inferno of agony. With closed eyes, he tried to will the unending pain away only for the blaze tearing through his muscles to continue. He knew exactly why his body was in that unmoving state. A vile water buffalo brought him to an arena and forced him to fight against a rhino child. Not for money or to test their strength. For their sick, twisted pleasure. They were entertained as the rhino kicked the snot out of him and twisted his arm. He could even hear them laugh when he broke the poor rhino's jaw. Dune? Mun? Whatever his name was, that poor child went bawling on a stretcher whilst he was left with his entire body painted with bruises. Fight night. One of the worst punishments a slave could receive.

"Get up." A hurried whisper dragged him away from his thoughts, the voice belonging to his white wolf friend. "C'mon, they could be here at any moment." Dark blue eyes gazed at the battered bison with a plea, reminding him of what would happen if he were found like this. After firmly planting his hooves on the ground, he tried to pick himself back up, only for the inferno to ignite his body again, immediately forcing him back to the ground.

With gritted teeth, he only managed a wheeze, "I can't. My body… It… it hurts… so much…" To his surprise, the wolf didn't even let him finish his dishevelled sentence as he put his aching arm over his shoulder and pushed upward. However, it only resulted in them both tipping over and falling down. Heavy footsteps echoed throughout the cavern, frightening the two boys further, "Just… Go…" The bison clutched his chest as he heaved out the words, the very act of breathing akin to the eruption of a volcano, "I'll… I'll be… Fine…"

They both knew that was a lie, but the wolf had little choice in the matter, the footsteps had only gotten louder. Just as a gorilla wielding whip had rounded the corner, the wolf had gone back to excavating the wall. "And just what the hell do you think you're doing!?" The bison was just able to see his friend flinch at the slave driver's roar.

"My body… I can't…"

"Heh, oh really?" With a sadistic, disbelieving grin, the gorilla unfurled his whip and struck at his chest with a vile crack! An ear-piercing scream bellowed from the poor child as he instinctively rolled onto his side, "Oh! So, you can move, huh!?" Another crack! Sent another guttural yell into the air, his back beginning to bleed out. "No-one said you could take a break! If you don't get up now, I'll make sure you'll never be able to walk again." He raised his whip up once more, a frightened chill filling the bison's heart as his torturer was about to bring that dreaded weapon back down.

Until a rock smacked him in the back of the head, shifting his attention to the wolf. "Leave him alone! He's practically dying!" His friend turned to face him as well; features contorted in agony yet still wilting in fear of what would happen to him. Little did neither the Gorilla nor bison knew how tightly he was gripping his pickaxe.

"Well, little brat." The gorilla spat, approaching this new challenger with a menacing glare as he readied the whip in his hands again, "How about I beat you half to death and leave you next to your little friend?" Five tails rose into the air, crackling in anticipation of the friction that will soon follow. He knew exactly what would happen. Flesh will be torn off, blood will be spilled, and a snivelling little puke would learn the meaning of respect. Or so he thought. Just as his arm was raised into the air, the wolf pup reared his pickaxe back and swung at his side.

Shink!

Stale orange orbs were paralysed in shock as crimson drops flew everywhere. The gorilla's tails had plummeted to the floor and soon he had followed as he grasped his left side with his hand. He panted deeply, the excruciating pain numbing his mind as he looked for a word he'd never hoped he'd have to use. "H-H… Help!" As soon as his cry left his mouth, he grimaced as the wolf ripped the pickaxe out of his side and swung at him again, aiming straight for his head.

Crunch!

The sound of the slave driver's skull shattering made bile rise to the bison's throat, but in spite of the horrific act he had just witnessed, his eyes could only focus on the pup who had just saved him. Dark blue irises glared at the figure with a maelstrom of hate, crumbling any semblance of fear or mercy left within him. For a few seconds, the two friends simply stood by as a group of heavy footsteps headed their way. They both knew what horrific punishment awaited them, they both knew that they'd be lucky to come back alive after something like this. Dark blue met with stale orange, not a single twinge of regret in their eyes. At that moment, that brief glance, they were no longer friends.

They were brothers.

He could never leave him. Not after what he did that day. In hindsight, it only delayed the inevitable and had earned his brother a scar that would never truly fade. But no matter what way he looks at it, Zhongcheng saved him from that maniac. He did what no other kid would dare do, all to protect him. He may have already returned the favour when they escaped the imperial city all those years ago, but that doesn't matter to him. He's his brother, and he won't abandon him for a life that he will never be able to reclaim.

His attention is soon diverted to the door as Zhongcheng and Wan enter, with Su and Wing finally pulling their eyes away from the map. "Well, you were surprisingly fast. And quiet, thank the Gods." Wing jeers at them, her younger sister rolling her eyes in response.

"For your information, we just talked." Her older sister remains unconvinced, eyeing her with a single brow raised high.

Shaking his head at their antics, the wolf commander goes back around his desk, eyeing his crimson-eyed shoulder pauldron with an awaiting grin. "I take it you've had enough time to digest?" He motions towards the map, immediately gaining Su Wu's inquisitive eye.

"Yes, it all looks good. All I want to know is how I'll be able to see the signal on the west side, my eyesight is impaired enough as it is." A mild joke is released from the intense snow leopard, gaining a tiny puff of air from the commander's nostrils.

"I'll provide you with my telescope. Any other questions?"

Gongjiang gives a quick scan to the map once more, making sure to memorise each and every single detail. Perfect, as he'd expect from his brother. Only… "What's your signal?"

At his gruff lieutenant's inquiry, the commander's smile widens, "You'll know it when you see it." His brother returns the smile in kind until he notices a tiny twitch in the wolf's left eye. Something the leopard sisters fail to notice, yet he knows all too well. Zhongcheng turns his back to the four of them, his left eye twitching again, "Our soldiers have already been de-briefed, now go. All of you. I have some of my own preparations to make." Suspicion clouds the gazes of the Wu-sisters until they notice the bison lieutenant sending them a fearsome glare, not allowing a single question to slip out of their mouths. They all head out of the room, with Gongjiang taking one last, careful look at his brother before shutting the door. A heavy weight forces a sigh out of Zhongcheng's nostrils as his eye's twitch becomes more prominent, eradicating the grin he had once had. He rolls his left shoulder, groaning at the burning grip on his chest as he removes his black breastplate and nearly tears off his undershirt. Dark blue irises glance downward, settling on his left breast in melancholic agony as he lays his fingers onto it tenderly.

A circular mark is branded on him, as unnoticeable as the Hanzi imprinted inside. Though it is mostly faded, he can still read its inscription. Even if he couldn't, its words remain in his mind, unwanted and despised. 'Property of Master Cheng' That dreaded name. A lifetime of suffering at the hands of that madman. He still remembers what he did to receive that mark. His first kill. A decision he still doesn't regret, even if he had to withstand this horrid thing for most of his life. At least Wan didn't notice. A microscopic consolation as a fiery phantom sears him the same way it had many decades ago. His agonising wails. That haunting, ashy stench of his own skin being set aflame. A memory that he wishes was a nightmare. A memory he will never forget no matter how much he wants to.

"Fate can be so cruel, can't it?"

Another phantom speaks to him, making his eyes widen at the sound of his fallen lord's voice. He sharply turns around only to see nothing there, nothing but his shoulder armour held up high. His eyebrow rises, swearing that the crimson eye on it is glowing. This thought is clawed away by the sickening clank of the dark peacock's talons emanating behind him. Zhongcheng doesn't meet the crimson fires boring into the back of his head, instead faltering back to the brand on his chest. His paw clenches into a fist, "In cruelty we find ourselves. Our eyes are opened to the real world around us." A husky timbre crackles in his throat as the dark peacock's talons scratches the floor.

"How true… Yet… unfair."

No other response can be given but a mournful nod, yet the wolf can't figure out what exactly it is he's mourning. Be it how early his innocence had been lost? Or the possibility of what could've been, of a life far better than this. "Fairness was never in question. Fate's plans are set in stone, but the stone itself can be broken." Any sign of regret fades from his voice, "And only in strength can that be managed."

"Yet even when that stone is shattered, its mark remains. Our strength fails when nothing changes."

Dark blue eyes rip themselves away from that dreaded mark as the commander takes a deep breath, focusing his stare upon his pauldron, "Our men are ready to move. Soon China will be yours, my lord." He doesn't see the blackened fog of feathers whist across the dark lord's body, nor does he notice a sinister grin form upon his obsidian beak.

"And what of the panda?"

"His time will come. I assure you." Sensing the uncertainty in the dark lord's heated stare, he continues with an unmoving coldness. "When he witnesses his home consumed by fear and misery, it will destroy him. When I see the hope and joy leave his eyes, I will subject him to a level of suffering even you couldn't comprehend." This seems to satiate the peacock's bloodlust, if only for now. He puts his undershirt back on and is in the process of strapping on his breastplate again when the peacock's voice whisps through the air, making the very walls tremble in its darkness.

"Be wary of his friends… and of the Zhanshi clan."

An absent-minded nod is given in response until Zhongcheng realises just what he said. "How… How do you…?" He turns back around to once again be greeted with nothing. A monumental weight is lifted from the air as the dim glow on his shoulder pauldron fades, yet his gaze is still focused on where he knows the peacock had just stood. How could he possibly know about the Zhanshi clan? They've been hidden for so long that only Fuhuo had any idea of their existence. It doesn't take him long to shove this thought aside.

He has a conquest to attend to.

Oooh, mysterious. All joking aside, writing Zhongcheng's with interactions with the "dark peacock" is always a pleasure. Oh, and as for the flashback with Gongjiang and the scar on Zhongcheng's chest, don't be fooled. I am not aiming to make them sympathetic. There is no redemption for either of them, just stating this now so there's no speculation. This is merely an insight as to why they are the way they are. As for how they got involved with Shen... that will come a tiny bit later. Anyways, the crazy action will begin *checks notepad doc* REALLY soon. So, I hope you all are ready for what will be coming for our favourite heroes, cuz it is going to get nuts. Until next time :)