Author's Note: Happy valentines day... again. I honestly wasn't expecting to finish this chapter today, had planned out for a lot more to happen in this chapter but after a bit of thought I realised that pacing wise, it'd be better if I did it a bit differently. Anyways, some interesting stuff happens here. Stuff involving Po's new abilities. Anyways, let's get on with it. If you want a proper valentine's 'present' I posted the final chapter of 'One Hell of a Birthday' (If you don't like M-rated stuff then steer clear.) yesterday. Alright, lets go.

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN KFP!

Enjoy.

Change of Plans

Dark blue irises dart around the numerous annotations and illustrations scribbled onto a map of the emperor's palace, suspicion and a withheld rage filling them as they alternate to an identical map next to it, their annotations differing greatly. An auburn glow lights up Zhongcheng's fur as he hunches over the desk in his secret room, his eyes alternating between these two maps for nearly ten minutes. The rotting stench of his late victims barely fazes him, for something far more concerning presses down on his mind. This isn't adding up, there is something I'm missing. There has to be. A scowl settles on his face as no answers present themselves to the confusion whirling around his mind.

Distant footsteps draw closer to the wolf, making his ears twitch as his focus remains on the two maps in front of him. "Does something trouble you, brother?" Gongjiang's gruff voice pries his canine brother's head away from the desk, a concerned look evident on the bison's features.

Zhongcheng gives no response, only walking a few steps away from his desk as his eyes stare down the hall. He hears his bison brother approach the desk, clearly analysing his back-up plan in the midst of his admittedly strange behaviour. "I felt Zhonglei's presence disappear."

Finally, he answers Gongjiang's inquiry, only gaining a peculiar glance in response. "Isn't that a good thing?" The two brothers do not look at each other, one evaluating the effectiveness of their alternative battle formations whilst the other continues staring on into the dark halls, its bright amber torches failing to banish the conundrum shrouding his mind.

"I only felt it a few minutes ago in my sleep." This gains a raised eyebrow from the bison general, thinking the exact same thing Zhongcheng had in his uncharacteristically peaceful slumber. "If he had drowned, then I would have felt his presence slip away sooner."

Although the implications of the wolf commander's speculation do frighten him, the bison general allows a filthy grin to consume his face at the thought of that traitorous tiger's grizzly end. "Perhaps we underestimated his resolve, no matter how futile it has proven to be." Though Gongjiang jests, a scowl remains on Zhongcheng's face as he turns back around with his arms folded.

"I had felt the dragon warrior's presence too."

Cracks form on Gongjiang's eyes as his orange irises widen to an immense size, threatening to burst out of his head. Snapping his body around, he looks his brother in the eye, completely aghast. "Inside Zhonglei's mind?"

"Yes." A molten growl scorches Zhongcheng's grit teeth, his volcanic rage searing his unblinking stare.

Even if it is for mere moments, the bison is left speechless. It's simply incomprehensible. There is no way that the panda could be capable of that. It had taken nearly a year for Zhongcheng to understand this power, how could he do it? Perhaps it is a different power entirely? Even still that provides no answer to how Zhonglei had been rescued. Had someone managed to sneak past them? He dashes aside this line of thinking, focusing on the exact implication that makes his stomach churn in a wretched anger. "So, you're suggesting-

"That Zhonglei is alive." Infuriated beyond belief, the wolf commander refuses to let him finish. "And the dragon warrior had aided him in breaking free… somehow."

Taking a moment to process this information, Gongjiang manages to banish the questions that he knows would only confuse him further. The how, when, and why of the dragon warrior's sudden mastery of the mind. Instead, he turns back to the maps before him, feeling his wolf brother's wrathful eyes burn a hole through his skull and melt the wall of rocks in front of him. Cautious orange searchlights gaze upon the details of Zhongcheng's back-up plan, noticing some drastic changes to what they have discussed before. Careful not to wake the rest of their sleeping soldiers, Gongjiang keeps his fuming voice low, "So, that's why you're changing our alternative approach."

Approaching his bison brother with calm, measured steps, the wolf commander steels himself, allowing his anger to flow into an immovable focus. "Make that our main approach. Zhonglei had managed to get a good look at my plans, including our plan of attack. It would be foolish to continue a full-frontal assault with him still alive."

Nodding along to his brother's explanation, the bison general continues looking to each part of their new approach, "So, our alligator company will breach the rear wall from the yellow river whilst the rest of us attack from the front. The Wu-sisters will take care of anyone trying to flank us." Yet, even in his brother's meticulousness, he notes one aspect that hadn't been considered. Or at least, one that hasn't been written down. He turns to face his brother, noticing a hint of outrage still lingering his eyes despite his attempts to quell it. It was rare that anyone would be a step ahead of him, let alone able to dismantle a plan that they had once considered to be foolproof. "And what of the dragon warrior's newfound power?"

Zhongcheng stands beside his brother, eyes focused on the emperor's tower as he imagines the chaos that is only a matter of hours away. "I will isolate him, make sure that he is in a place where these powers of his will be of no use."

"What if he attempts to take hold of your mind?" Dark blue eyes snap over to orange as the bison inquires, a serious concern embedded on his face.

"You say this as if I'll give him the chance."

Despite his venomous confidence, Gongjiang refuses to back down. "You say that as if he can't create one. The battlefield is unpredictable, uncaring. You know just as well as I that even with an assured victory, we must take care."

Gazing back at the maps, Zhongcheng ruminates over his brother's words, hearing his own collected caution within them. With a small nod, the wolf responds, "If the dragon warrior attempts anything of the sort, then I will call upon one of the masters to make quick work of him. But even then, it's unlikely he will attempt it. It would be 'dishonourable'." A mocking tone takes up his voice at the last sentence, inviting a humoured smile from his bison brother.

Regaining confidence in his brother's scheme, Gongjiang leans back from the maps before saluting to the wolf commander. "Then I will inform our men by dawn, sir. China will be ours." An undying loyalty brews within the bison's voice, loyalty that brings a real, thankful smile to Zhongcheng's face.

A smile that falters at the sight of his face; bloodied, bruised, and beaten. To think that even now, after escaping those caves long ago, he still remains by his side. Perhaps, he has taken him for granted. In a rare show of compassion, Zhongcheng places his paw on Gongjiang's shoulder, bolstering his smile as he does so. "Indeed, make sure to get some rest in the meantime. You'll need it."

Just then, Zhongcheng's eyes flash a brief, powerful blue light. A light that shatters their moment of relief into fragments of bewilderment and anxiety. It isn't long before the wolf puts his paw on his head, feeling something stirring within.

"Brother? What is happening?"

Not even the usually prepared wolf commander can answer this question with ease. For a split second he could feel the presence of one of his victims still clinging to life at the hospital, only for it to suddenly vanish. Not dissimilar to how it felt whenever they had given in to their nightmares, yet something is… different. Another flash erupts from his eyes, another weakened mind unshackled from his influence. Yet this time, he feels something else, another presence lingering within before vanishing as well. Rage forms a scowl on his face as he can already tell what is happening. Focusing in, the wolf commander looks deeper as another flash emanates from his eyes, now able to decipher the other presence.

"The dragon warrior." Venom coats Zhongcheng's timbre as his eyes begin to glow of his own volition, now able to see the rest of his helpless victims, still struggling against him. "He's freeing those fools in the hospital." This could be my chance. To find out what powers the panda has ascertained, to find their weakness, to stop him in his tracks. He looks to Gongjiang, readying himself as he feels Po's presence penetrate another petrified mind. "It's time I see this new power first-hand. Maybe even destroy it, if possible." As his bison brother nods to him, the wolf commander closes his eyes and focuses on his chi, branching into the mind that the dragon warrior is so desperate to save.

Within moments the wolf commander can feel a soft breeze brush against his fur, piercing through his scorched imperial chest plate. A breeze that isn't real. Dark blue irises shine with chi as they open up to a land of darkness, overwhelming and suffocating in its endless plumes of shadow. This dreamscape, despite being so vast and all-consuming, strikes a sense of familiarity within the wolf.

Boom!

Zhongcheng spins around as a deafening explosion rings throughout this obsidian void, his eyes drawn to a dark blue shockwave that dissipates along with its fading sound.

Crash!

A gigantic silhouette crashes onto what the wolf can only assume is the floor, its form completely blending into the darkness as its body kicks up a shroud of blackened dust straight into his face. A monster blending into the dark, a child's worst nightmare. Within this veil of darkness, he realises exactly whose dream this is. As the darkened dust finally clears, a bright blue torch pierces through the shadows far away, illuminating it enough for the wolf to identify two figures. Without a second's hesitation, he approaches them, demonic anger searing his glowing eyes.

"It's okay buddy. It's alright." Po keeps one arm up in the air as he hugs the sniffling snow leaopard cub in his other arm. He funnels as much of this blue chi as he can into his paw, banishing the darkness away to restore the poor boy's mind. "The monster's gone now, okay. Everything's gonna be alright."

At his comforting voice, the little cub finally peeks his head out, wary of that horrific monster still hiding somewhere in the darkness. "W-where *sniffle* Where is my mommy?" Tears choke his tone, the trembling cub only just able to get the words out.

Giving the terrified cub a gentle smile, the dragon warrior holds him tight, "She's safe, little guy. She sent me to get you out of here."

This gets the little cub to look up to the panda in a mix of excited awe, "Really?"

"Yeah. You've been asleep for a while, and she has been worried about you. She's just as scared as you are."

Confusion embeds itself into the innocent feline's eyes, his irises beginning to fade back in to his hollow sclera. "Asleep? Am… am I dreaming?"

Po's resolve brightens up as he notices the boy's mind return ever so slightly, "Yes you are. You've been in a very bad nightmare for a few days now. I'm here to help you." Though he nods, Po can tell he doesn't really understand what is going to happen next. "What's your name, buddy?"

"Guang*."

"Alright, Guang. I need you to be brave and strong for me, okay? Cuz without your help, I won't be able to get you out… of… here…" Po trails off as he catches a pair of dark blue eyes piercing through the darkness, getting closer to them. Upon noticing his shifted attention, the snow leopard cub looks on only to hide his face in the panda's chest fur. Without hesitation, the dragon warrior puts the terrified child behind him and turns to face the 'monster' in the darkness. "Stay behind me, Guang. I won't let him hurt you."

Before long, Zhongcheng's form is finally revealed to him, his pale fur bringing a deathly chill to the darkness that surrounds them. Looking up and down at the dragon warrior, he notices the dark blue glow in his eyes, a light matching his own chi. Though an unrelenting anger burns in his soul his eyes widen in astonishment as he folds his arms. Even he can't help but be impressed by his astounding abilities. "It seems that even in accounting your legend, I've underestimated you."

His corrosive tone stings Po's ears, the acid on his tongue matching the fury of the scowl that now rests on the wolf's face. "Yeah, people do that a lot. They usually make the same face you're making now." A rare smirk forms on Po's face as the wolf's scowl only digs a deeper trench on his features, "Priceless."

"Hmph." Yet it is now the commander's turn to smirk, though an ever-present loathing lingers on his lips, "Your arrogance is misguided, dragon warrior. Mimicry will not be the weapon that saves your friends, nor will it be the tool that stops my invasion." Summoning chi into his right paw, the wolf taunts the dragon warrior with his mastery of this fear-ridden chi, unaware of Guang peaking his head out from behind Po. "My army hungers for the emperor's head, they await our inevitable victory."

Though his smirk fades from Po's face, it is soon replaced by a prideful smile as he takes up his stance, channelling chi into both paws. "You forget, I'm not the only one full of surprises." This forces Zhongcheng's features back into a loathsome scowl as the snow leopard watches on in awe, his irises becoming more visible with each passing moment.

"Oh yes… the traitor. You've no doubt had a hand in the surprise he had granted me."

Acid drips from the wolf's words, corroding the blackened floor in its rage as the dragon warrior's tenacious smile remains emboldened on his face, "Yeah, I helped out. But I didn't conquer his fear." This causes Zhongcheng's eyes to widen a tad whilst Guang pays close to attention to his words. "He broke free of your control himself, using his own strength. All he needed was hope." A stupefied expression finds itself onto the wolf's face, ignoring the irises of the snow leopard almost completely banishing his influence. "I guess fear isn't that powerful after all."

Zhongcheng's glowing eyes blink at the panda master's notion, "Hope?" A silent chuckle emanates from him only to transform into a demented laugh as he gives Po a deadly glare, "Hope!?" Guang's face withers in terror once again whilst his panda protector tries to decipher whether the wolf is merely mocking him or if he actually finds the idea of hope funny. "You truly are Oogway's successor. Aren't you?" This only gains another befuddled expression from Po until the wolf elaborates, "Spouting childish ideas that are masqueraded as wisdom. Perhaps I should put your hope into perspective. Master Oogway was undoubtedly kind, caring, wise beyond his vast lifespan. He has always seen the good in others, always hoped that giving them another chance would allow them to take the right path." Jade eyes narrow as the dragon warrior stays alert in his stance, wondering just where the wolf is going with this. "The very slavers that had put me through hell were sent away by him. Set free with the misguided hope that they could better themselves." Shock fills his features as Zhongcheng's voice pangs with hurt, aches with betrayal, only to be overpowered by his unrelenting loathing. "It wasn't long in my tenure that they had begun their spree again, making many suffer for his weakness." The wolf commander's eyes turn cold, cruel. Heartless. Memories of the slavers' dying screams form within the wolf's mind, bringing a ghost of smile onto his face as both Po and Guang remain cautious. "I killed them without a second thought, had saved the ones who were under their control. Even Zhonglei understood my fury, even encouraged it." His vengeful voice soon shifts into a disgusting growl, remembering his former brother's blatant hypocrisy. "There are those who simply cannot be saved. Those who hope is wasted upon. Those who bear the same resolve you do yet lack your weakness. Those who can only be controlled through fear. Your mercy, your hope, your honour-bound resolve will be your undoing, panda."

In response to this vow, the dragon warrior gives an immovable scowl, brimming with his undeterred resolve. Zhongcheng glares back, certain that his enemy won't back down from these childish ideals. He will insist that there is a way back, that there is always hope in the darkness. Just like Oogway would. This expectancy is dashed away as a smile finds its way past Po's scowl. "You're right." Both the wolf and Guang's eyes burst open at this, baffled at his sudden shift. "There are some people who hope is wasted on. There are some people who have gone too far." His smile soon leaves his face, a dark glare taking hold of the panda's features. "There are people like you, Zhongcheng." Wrath emanates from his voice, his words assembled in a cadence of loathing that surprises the pale wolf. Yet, even in his shock, he recognises this loathing. He recognises the hateful jade stare that pierced into his soul back at the warehouse. "People who torture and kill others without regret. People that are slaves to their past." This forces Zhongcheng's scowl to deepen, a menacing growl ripping through his throat that terrifies the snow leopard cub hiding behind Po. He darts his eyes back to his protector, steadfast and strong. "People who know no better than to spread their pain rather than face it themselves." Brave and courageous against the deathly blue chill of the wolf's glowing eyes, "People who let their fears consume them."

Within an instant, Zhongcheng pounces forward, thrusting his glowing fist straight towards the dragon warrior's heart only for him to catch it in his paw. Another wild punch is thrown, but Po parries it with his other paw and connects a palm strike to the wolf's chest.

Bam!

Sending his opponent flying, Po goes back into his stance as Guang watches on in awe. Though Zhongcheng stands back up, he doesn't even flinch, willing to do whatever it takes to keep the boy safe. The snow leopard's inspired irises return in full as they gaze at the hero in front of him, unafraid of the monster draped in darkness. "I don't fear you." The venom in his tone dissipates yet it still strikes cold, enraging his enemy with his incorruptible resolve. "I don't fear your power. I don't fear your army. There may be no hope for you but there is still plenty left for the people who have suffered under your hand." A blue aura surrounds Po's body as he channels his fear-filled chi, his eyes fixed on Zhongcheng with an ice-cold glow. "As long as I'm still breathing, that hope will never die." He clenches his fist, ready to battle the wolf, if necessary, yet it is not his flowing chi that causes Zhongcheng's face to fall. It isn't his readiness that causes him to hesitate in his step. It is his eyes.

His eyes that burn a silver fire. Unbeknownst to the panda, the blue glow that had once occupied his irises bled into a chilling, silver flame. The determination burning in his eyes gains an ethereal distinction, his wrath erupts with the depth of something otherworldly. Something the wolf simply cannot describe. Those eyes do not belong to the dragon warrior, yet his spirit remains, blazing with a flame that cannot be snuffed out. His unyielding stare sends a chill through the commander's spine. A chill that he had never hoped to feel again. A chill that he snarls against, denying the emotion that it undoubtedly contains. He won't be weak again. He won't be helpless again. Not to him. Not to anyone.

Rage unsheathes Zhongcheng's claws as he sprints to the dragon warrior, his sickly chi shining bright with full intensity. Yet he doesn't reach him, instead he is greeted by a surprising sight. One that even surprises Po. Guang runs in front of his protector, his arms spread out and a determined, hopeful expression on his face. He stands tall, brave and strong. What shocks the wolf the most is his eyes, completely devoid of his influence. "I'm not afraid of you!"

With that declaration, a bright white light emanates from the snow leopard cub, growing and growing until it consumes the entire obsidian void in its blinding splendour. Until it banishes the monster from his nightmare.

Zhongcheng's eyes burst open, the wolf panting as the chi engulfing his body fades, fatigue taking its place. "Brother! Are you alright?" His bison brother runs to his side immediately as he falls to one knee, genuine worry filling his orange irises.

Dark blue eyes can only look to the floor in shock, still trying to process the events that have just taken place. "He… shut me out." The wolf whispers, befuddlement overwhelming the exhaustion layering his timbre. "He copied my technique and… overpowered me." A quiet rage re-energises his once tired, hollow voice, still unable to believe what he himself is saying.

"What? How?" Gongjiang stammers, his commander infecting him with the same awe-stricken shock that renders him completely still.

"I don't know." Zhongcheng seethes in his wrath, that quiet rage growing into a repulsive snarl as a truly horrific scowl fills his face. "But its clear his resolve remains undeterred." Picking himself back up onto his feet, he trudges towards the maps of the emperor's palace, leaning over them with a putrid glare. His imagination runs wild with ways of torturing and killing that dreaded panda, of making him truly suffer. Within his demented rumination, his scowl fades, bringing with it a composed, deadly anger. "We begin our invasion by dawn, annihilate them before they can truly fight back."

Chills run down Gongjiang's back, his fur freezing at the icy tone in his brother's voice. Though a smidgen of doubt circles around his mind, the trust and faith in him overpowers it. "Understood, sir."

He trudges his way back up the stairs, leaving Zhongcheng to his sick and depraved thoughts. Leaving him to wallow in his seething fury. You will pay dearly for this, panda. I assure you. This single curse echoes through his mind, the wolf's face remaining stone cold as he thinks of the perfect way to break him completely.

Meanwhile, within the forbidden city's hospital, jade eyes open back up to the world, the silver fire within them now gone. Po's gaze flicks between Mantis and Guang's teary-eyed mother, before finally settling on Guang himself. "Is he okay? Is my baby okay?" Her panicked voice hits his ears as he looks upon the now sleeping cub, praying that his run-in with Zhongcheng hadn't made him take too long to save him.

As if to answer his mother's terrified question, Guang's eyes open with the same slowness of a rusted iron gate. She gasps at the sight of his baby-blue eyes, returning to her albeit in a tired glance. "Mommy?"

His gentle voice causes his worried mother to pounce on him, embracing him tightly as she lays kiss after kiss on her sweet baby's head. "Guang, my sweet baby!" She cries out, an indescribable happiness replacing the fear that had once filled her tears. "You're okay, you're okay. My sweetheart." He returns her embrace, making her smile through her tears. Her son is alive, after so many days of pain and suffering, he is safe.

"I've missed you, mama." Both Po and Mantis can't help but smile at their tear-filled reunion, thankful that they have been able to do some good tonight.

"I've missed you too, sweetheart. I've missed you so much." She cuddles him in her arms, never wanting to let go in fear of losing him again. Soon enough, her eyes open back up, tears flowing down her face as she looks to the dragon warrior. Her son's saviour. "Thank you. Thank you so much."

Even in knowing how instrumental he was to rescuing him, humility still reigns supreme in Po's features. "Just doing what I can, miss." Tiredness coats his smile as his gaze shifts to Guang, unable to take all the credit, "It was Guang that really saved the day." Shock fills her eyes at this, looking to her boy as he shares a glance with his hero. "You were really brave, buddy. Brave and strong. Like a real hero." Po feels a warmth in his heart as Guang smiles at him. Thinking it best to give the family a moment, he stands up with effort, heaving a groan as he walks out of ward 17, Mantis following behind him with concerned eyes.

"Po, wait. Don't you think you should rest?"

Considering his insect friend's words, the dragon warrior rests his back against the wall of the hallway, Mantis standing opposite him as two bison rush past them. Jade eyes can't help but gaze at the stretcher they hold in their hooves, at the pale, unmoving antelope curdled up on it, his one of his antlers cut in half. However, unlike most of the bodies that had passed through the haggard hospital, this one had no trace of petrification left in them. Only their skeletal, starving frame. A hollow pang hits his heart, punching into it with the same force of a cannon ball. He had saved them minutes ago. In this empty feeling, he realises that he had saved them from Zhongcheng's control, not from the consequences that would follow. Some will still die of starvation or dehydration, even if he manages to free them.

This fact doesn't shred his hope or determination, it only fuels it further. "We've still got people to save, Mantis. C'mon." He pushes away his exhaustion before walking down the hall to the next screaming patient, his insect brother following on with a heavy heart. Praying that by the end of this, Po will have enough energy for tomorrow's battle.

1* Guang = Chinese for Light

Yeah, a bit of a shorter chapter this time but one with a fair bit going on, including a certain development that is pretty crucial. The real madness begins with the next chapter, a battle of epic proportions is about to commence and I can't wait to start writing it! Hope you're enjoying the chapter + story and until next time :)