Author's Note: Whoo! Another chapter done! Another step closer to you guys probably trying to kill me. I may be joking but knowing what happens later on... that may actually be a possibility. All joking aside, this next part is a bit distressing. Just a heads up. Anyways, let's get on with it!

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN KFP!

Enjoy... if you can.

Imprisoned

Monkey ducks away from Wing's attempt to slash his chest, batting her away with a palm to her chin as Su-Wu tries slash at his legs. Luckily, he is able to dodge her attack, but doesn't have time to account for Wan hanging from the ceiling with her claws and aiming a double kick straight at his face. This sends him flying back, but he quickly gets back to his feet and manages to block a follow-up kick from Wing. Unfortunately, the sheer force of her attack pushes him into one of the building's evacuated rooms.

As he stumbles through the doorway and lands on the room's single bed, the foreboding ashy stench of smoke tries to suffocate his nostrils. Roaring fires grow louder as they descend from floor to floor, trying to close their distance with the ground floor. It won't take long for the entire building to burn to the ground and the only person left upstairs is his buddy, assuming he's evacuated everyone. He isn't given another moment to think as Wing pounces through the doorway, shooting straight for him. Rolling backwards, he dodges her attack, making her land on the empty bed. Before she can attack again, he picks up the lightweight futon and closes it against the wall, trapping the snow leopard inside. Her sisters follow in after her and begin their offensive. Their wheels slice through the air, gliding along the langur's fur as he dodges each of their swipes, holding the bed up with his right foot. He alternates between keeping Wing trapped behind the bed, and blocking and dodging her sisters strikes, looking for a way out of this battle as soon as he can. Within their attacks, he notices an opening and takes full advantage. To Wan's surprise, he coils his tail around her wrist and pulls her towards him, right under the bed. With a swift headbutt, she is dazed long enough for Monkey to slip out towards the doorway. As expected, Wing pushes the bed back and accidentally traps her young sister under it. Su Wu, however, is quick to evade this, jumping onto the wall and leaping to her langur prey with her leg extended.

Bam!

She kicks him into the room opposite, his body smashing the door off its hinges as he falls to the floor. Yet he recovers quickly, rolling back and chucking the door at the eldest sister who slides under it with ease. At the end of her slide, she transitions into a wheel swipe at his side which he counters with a spin kick to her face. It connects, forcing her to hit the wall, but her sisters arrive by her side before he can take advantage. Wing manages to gash his arm as she and Wan go on a relentless offensive, pushing Monkey back to the end of the room. As he gets closer and closer to the back wall, Wan lands another cutting blow on his leg, forcing out a painful hiss from him. Taking a quick look up at the ceiling rafters, a cheeky plan pops into Monkey's head. A plan that he only has precious few seconds to put into action. He dodges more of their attacks until they push him back enough so he can run up on the wall and leap up to the ceiling. Grabbing the rafters with his hands, he reels his feet back and pushes forward in what seems like a double kick, prompting the two leopards to block their fronts. Instead, Monkey follows through with his momentum and grabs the following rafters with his feet, letting go of the previous ones so he can grab their heads with his hands and smack them together.

Bonk!

This leaves them dazed, allowing Monkey to leap out the doorway. As he sails through the air, however, Su-Wu catches him by surprise with an upwards slash. A howl of agony exits his mouth as he crashes to the floor, rolling out into the hallway. Blood seeps out of the deep gash carved into his back, forcing the langur master to grit his teeth whilst the eldest Wu-sister sprints to him on all-fours. As she prepares her follow-up attack, Monkey links his fingers together and charges a golden light into his right arm. He looks to her with a scowl on his face as she pounces towards him, thrusting his palm forward as it shines a blinding gold. Her predatory smirk dwindles at the sight of this, knowing she has no way of dodging this.

Boom!

A golden flash blinds the entire ground floor as Su-Wu is sent hurdling back into the second room. She crashes into her sisters, leaving them as a dazed heap and him with a chance to find Crane and escape. No time to lose. Ignoring the burning, oozing pain in his back, Monkey sprints off towards the stairs, a miniscule sliver of hope swirling in his eyes. That fire couldn't have reached him yet, he has to be alive. He won't leave without-

Smash!

Just as Monkey reaches the bottom of the stairs, a blur of ashen white pierces through the door on his right side and throttles straight into him, smashing him straight through the door on the left. He is forced to the ground, a single talon keeping him pinned down as the gash in his back scalds him at the impact. Releasing a groan of pain, the langur master looks up to his attacker only for his eyes to widen in horror. "Crane?" This disbelieving whisper has no effect on the bird soldier, who stares down at him with hollow eyes. Though he notices the ash and smoke littering his body, the missing feathers in his wings, Monkey's sights are focused on the emptiness in his glare. Their dim yet insidious blue glow. "No… No… not again. Not you." Kai's invasion flashes back in his mind, a fate he thought they'd never have to experience again. He can't let this happen. If he can't break Crane free of whatever control he is under, then he needs to warn the others. One way or another, he needs to get out of here.

His mind set, Monkey delivers a chop to his avian comrade's ankle, forcing his talon off his chest as the bird loses his balance. Without a moment to lose, the langur follows up with a double kick that pushes Crane back towards the doorway, providing enough space for him to get back up. He grits his teeth as the gash in his back flares in pain again but pushes it out of the way once Crane moves in for the offensive. They trade blows, the bird soldier slowly whittling down Monkey's defences as his wounds sap his body of energy. Knowing his brainwashed comrade will probably come out on top, the langur grabs Crane's wing and puts it in an arm lock as he turns them around so he can be closer to the doorway.

"C'mon, Crane! Snap out of it!" He beckons, but the bird soldier only responds with a dead glare in his eyes as he delivers a rapid kick to his shin. This makes Monkey lose his balance for a moment, enough time for Crane to wrench his wing out of the langur's arm lock and follow up with a spin kick aimed right at his chest. His back slams to the ground as he is sent back out into the hallway, forcing a painful gasp out of the primate. Before he can fully recover, Wing pounces at him from the end of the hall with her sisters sprinting towards him. He manages to dodge her slash but is unable to anticipate Crane speeding out of the room with his leg outstretched.

Bam!

Yet again, his friend lands a spin kick on him, throwing him against the wall as Su and Wan Wu close their distance. Though his movements and counters have become far more sluggish, Monkey still keeps his guard up, dodging and blocking their attacks for as long as he can until the bird soldier advances upon him. He throws a spin kick at the two snow leopards, forcing them back as he shifts his attention to his brainwashed friend. To his misfortune, Crane parries and bats away any attempt of an offensive that Monkey has to offer, finally countering by swatting at his face with his wings. This blinds him for only a moment, but a moment is all the sisters need.

Shink!

Monkey can't help but to let out a yelp of pain as Su and Wan slice their bladed wheels into the sides of his torso, bringing him to his knees. Yet another flaming inferno burning across his body, yet another way for his body to be completely drained. As his fatigue begins to set in, Wing doesn't even allow him the chance of getting up, landing a flying kick on the back of his head that knocks him to the ground.

His body crumples into itself, shivering at the horrific pain consuming him as his eyesight grows hazy. The putrid stench of smoke only grows more pungent as he tries to pick himself up. But he doesn't even need to. Two of the sisters hoist him up onto his knees and press their blades up to his throat as he hears a third pair of footsteps come closer behind him. Then, the unsheathing of claws. "Aaaaghhh!" Monkey screams out in agony as he feels those claws dig into the wound on his back. Whatever resolve has been allowing him to cling onto the battle isn't enough for this. He can feel his blood gushing out, her claws twisting and pushing deep into his flesh, that burning pain incinerating his mind. The haziness of his mind soon morphs into an incomprehensible blur, his consciousness dwindling as they continue their torture.

"Now, now. We don't want to kill him now, do we?"

A powerful yet subdued voice relishes in his suffering, though it is barely audible as his head splits itself open, deafening him to all that is around. There is only one thing he can comprehend within his sight as his consciousness fades away. A menacing blue light getting closer until…

Darkness.

His eyes flutter open moments later though the blackness of his sleeping mind had made it feel far longer. Unidentifiable blurs eventually sharpen despite his eyelids desperately wanting to stay shut, a groan forcing its way out of his throat as his searing wounds remind him of his utter failure against the Wu-sisters. He opens his eyes fully to see a ceiling made of gravel. As he turns to his side, he is welcomed by a sight he had hoped to never see again.

Prison bars.

How long has it been since he had seen a cell from the inside? Wukong's face flashes for a moment, but he shuts him away, gritting his teeth. That was back when they had both been thieves. When they were perceived as menaces to their village. It almost seems like a lifetime ago. He grimaces as he places a paw on his forehead, a strange pressure pushing down on him. Yet, as soon as it had come, it vanishes.

However, this strangeness is soon replaced by a pressing fact. They've imprisoned him when they could easily kill him… why? No doubt some sick plan from the wolf commander, but what is it? Come to think of it, that coward hasn't shown himself since their first chase. Or has he? That blue light! It has to be him, he knocked him out after the Wu-sisters did his dirty work… but that still doesn't answer his question. What use is he to the wolf alive? He pushes himself off the cold, hard floor, his entire body creaking and groaning as if it's covered in rust. Taking a quick glance around his prison cell only confuses him further.

His is the only prison cell in sight. Come to think of it, this place he's trapped in feels more like a cage than an actual prison, with the bars covering all walls aside from the ceiling and floor. What lies outside unsettles the langur master further. An endless expanse of shadows, stretching as far as they will let him see. Where the hell is he? And where is-

"Good to see you awake, little pest." Zhongcheng's dark voice reverberates around the dark void, forcing Monkey to dart his head all around. Yet his attempts at locating the wolf prove to be fruitless, the source of his voice ever-changing. However, something else grabs his ears amidst the wolf's sinister timbre. The continuous rattle of chains, "Tell me, what do you think of my puppet?" These rattling chains grows louder and louder until the langur master notices something break through the darkness above. A rotund figure spasming and thrashing wildly. His eyes widen in recognition.

"No."

Po's descent finally ceases just above the ground as he is left suspended by chains. They are clamped around his wrists, practically turning his paws blue. Yet even in their tightness, the dragon warrior thrashes around, kicking and screaming at someone that isn't there. His fur has been painted purple and red, tapestries of wounds and bruises layered over his body's canvas. Tears merge with sweat, sweat merges with blood, paranoia beating down on the exhaustion already weighing him down. Hysterical gibberish punches its way out of his mouth, the only identifiable word left being a pitiful plea for help.

The sight of his broken, terrified friend leaves Monkey speechless, his waning heart now frozen in horror. He reaches out through the bars only to have his friend physically recoil at his presence, cracking the fearful ice coating his heart. Yet something festers in the very centre of him as he looks closer at Po, a fire steadily pulsing with his heartbeat. He failed him. Jade irises are no longer present, replaced by an empty, sickening blue. Just like he had failed Crane. They're both trapped, prisoners of their own mind with no escape in sight. Just like he had failed his brother. He should've been there, he should've been faster, he should've been better. Yet, like always, he was powerless to do anything. Not anymore.

A scowl etched across his face, Monkey grabs the bars in front of him and tries to pry them open as Po continues thrashing and screaming. His biceps clench and swell as he puts all his strength into it, the fire in his heart growing into a roaring blaze that thaws the fear surrounding it. Yet, it doesn't melt. Even as he imbues chi into his arms, the bars don't bend, they don't even shudder at the sheer amount of power funnelling into them. He screams out into the air as his arms shine a bright gold, but it is no use. Eventually, he rips his arms off these metal bars and tries to revaluate the situation. But Zhongcheng doesn't let him.

"I see you're not enjoying the show, how unfortunate."

Without any other warning, blue energy thrusts through the chains and injects itself into Po's veins. Forcing out an agonising scream from the poor panda. "Po!" Monkey throws his body at the bars, desperately trying anything and everything to free his dear friend from his torment. "Let him go!" Try as he might, the bars still won't budge, mocking him with an empty clang each time he charges into them. "Let him go!" His demands fall on willingly deaf ears as Po's screams only grow louder and louder. Though his fire burns bright in his heart, the cracks in the ice begin to mend themselves. His friend, his panda brother's life is on the line and he's still so powerless, so useless!

"I wouldn't pay that welp too much attention. After all, we have plenty more toys to play with."

The wolf's sadistic voice snuffs out the fire of his heart completely as the hollow rattle of chains echo around him, sending a dreaded shiver up his spine. Viper is lowered down first, her body strangled and misshapen from the chains wrapped around her. Her blank eyes look over to him, drowning in a hopeless blue river, breaking his heart. She is soon joined by a tiny cage, its inhabitant making a feeble attempt to punch his way out. Monkey notices his best buddy clench his teeth with each punch, his veins consumed by a sickening blue stream. Tears begin to well in his eyes as he stares into the hollow blankness of Mantis' eyes. A forceful gust of wind gains Monkey's attention, bringing him face-to-face with the fierce yet empty countenance of Crane. "Crane! Crane c'mon! You've got to snap out of it!" Silence is the only response given to his desperate plea, "You can fight this! I know you… can…" His voice is reduced to a whisper as one final cage is lowered, its contents draped in shadows. Only two amber dots pierce through the darkness, lighting Monkey's face with a spark of hope, "Tigress?"

"Monkey." Her voice groans out, weak and weary. One of her paws bursts through the shadows of her cage, trembling as they grip one of the metal bars tightly. The hope that filled him moments ago evaporates as he sees her fur discoloured and messy, blotches of blood splattered around her body. She drags herself out of the all-consuming shadow of her cage, revealing a sight that freezes him in place. Her once golden qipao has been torn and ripped to shreds, its remains paved in a putrid, pungent crimson. The bony figure underneath these rags lies starved and wiry, her bones showing through her skin with each breath she takes. How long have they been here? What truly makes Monkey speechless, is the sheer amount of blood consuming her form. Gashes and wounds line her body like corpses in a battlefield, craters of bruises embedded on her skin after the fallout of her torture had subsided. Hope has been completely drained from her face, her skin and fur acting as a pathetic veil for her skull. Not a trace of the five's steadfast leader remains, only a broken, emaciated wreck. "I… I can't hold on much longer." Before he can ask her what she means, her eyes flash blue for a moment, tearing at Monkey's very soul. "Help me. Please. Please, help me."

Though his heart is frozen in fear, it begins to pound against his chest. He places his hands on the bars, tears rolling down his cheeks as he tries to pry them open again. "Just hang in there! I'm almost out!" His voice cracks at this pathetic lie, holding out a tiny sliver of hope in spite of his horrible failure. As he channels his chi into his arms again, her notices the tears falling from her eyes as the amber within them fades into an all-too-familiar blue. "Stay with me, Tigress! I'll get us out of here!" In that moment, something clicks in his mind. Their master isn't here. "Shifu will help us out of here!"

"How unfortunate that you think that." Zhongcheng's taunt halts Monkey in place as something falls from the blackened sky. Droplets of crimson patter the ground in front of the two masters, horrifying them both. Before they can look up, someone lands in front of them, limp and lifeless. No, not someone.

Master Shifu.

Neither of them moves a muscle as a pool of blood forms underneath their elder master. His body lies face-down, concealing his wounds from them. But they don't need to see it, just the sight of his unmoving carcass wrings a dagger into their hearts. Tigress' paws begin to tremble as she grips the bars tightly, wave upon wave of tears streaming down her face. Venom contorts the grief on Monkey's face into a pure, undeniable hatred. He glares into the darkness up above, certain that Zhongcheng is up there somewhere, taunting him. "You heartless maniac! I'll make you pay!" A demented cackle ripples through the shadows, only angering the langur master further.

"I'd suggest you be far more careful with your words, master Monkey." This menacing warning is immediately followed by a blinding flood of blue light surging down the chains holding his friends. "I don't want to break my toys so soon."

Within moments, screams of anguish surround him as this insidious blue light engulfs the bodies of his family. He darts his head around the shadowy room, face paling in horror as they violently thrash and contort their bodies whilst Zhongcheng locks them within their minds. He doesn't notice his own irises begin to disintegrate as he slams his hands on the bars, "No!" He shakes them but they don't budge, "Stop!" He rams his body into the bars, but they don't budge, "Let them go you monster!" His heart blazes in fury yet his fear doesn't thaw. Instead, the ice only builds up as more blue lights flash farther down the blackened void, yet they don't reveal any more victims. But he can hear them all too well.

"Help me! Oh Gods, make it stop!"

"Get them away from me!"

"They're gonna kill me! They're gonna kill me!"

"My baby! My poor baby!"

"What did I do to deserve this!?"

Their pleas and cries of desperation dig into his soul, driving him to start punching at the prison bars with little effect. "Let them go! Damn you, let them go!" An overwhelming fear tears away at the anger staining his voice. Fear that knows he won't make it. All these victims, his friends, his family will die. And he can only stand back and watch. Yet he punches his prison cell anyway, a vicious, resolute voice commanding him to do so. The very bars keeping him here distort themselves into the faces of foes all-too-familiar, ones that had rendered him as a prisoner forced to watch as everything would fall apart around him. Unbeknownst to him, as he punches with more ferocity, his irises and pupils disappear completely. Leaving a black canvas in their wake.

A canvas soon filled with an ominous blue glow.

Zhongcheng stares into the hollow eyes of his newest puppet, grinning in satisfaction as he signal to the Wu-sisters it is safe to let go of him. What he doesn't care to notice is the disturbed expression buried within their eyes.

They were well aware of the suffering those victims in the hospital are going through, what the soldiers and Crane have been subjected to. But, actually seeing a kung fu master that had given them quite some trouble reduced to a maddened, quivering mess before their very eyes. Part of them felt like running away but their trembling spines had made that an impossibility. Out of the three of them, Su-Wu is able to hide this the best. But even then, her fear remains obvious. Seeing his power first hand, any plan to somehow manipulate him seems fruitless, almost like a suicide mission. What can they do?

This question is soon batted aside as their noses pick up a hideous, suffocating scent from the upper floors alongside their commander. Smoke. "The building is coming down." Su-Wu announces, all traces of her terror being wiped from her eyes and replaced with an unsettling coldness. Play along with him, that's what they must do. Even if he can possibly see through it.

"We've wasted too much time here. Let's move." Not a soul dares to question Zhongcheng's orders. Why would they? Two of China's most powerful warriors are now his to control. Within mere seconds, they all run into one of the abandoned rooms and leap out the window. His kung fu soldiers follow suit as they make their way over to the east side of the city.

Meanwhile, far from the illustrious sights of the forbidden city, something stirs within Xiwang valley. Something powerful, something dangerous. Inside the vast mountain that was once home to part of the Zhanshi clan, a hideous crimson sheen pierces through shattered mounds of rock and stone. It is tempered by markings concealed underneath the rocks but even this doesn't stop the light from shining brighter. This insidious crimson rots away into a pale, deathly white light. Even in its brightness, it hungers for more.

Oh no... That can't possibly be good. As for Monkey... Poor guy. Always having to be stuck on the sidelines in things... Okay, I'm not helping him much to be honest. In spite of him being mind controlled, this is all building to something pretty damn good. (Or at least I think so.) And, for like the hundredth time now, things only get crazier from here. I hope you lot are ready. I hope you're all loving the story so far, and until next time :)