The Gang of Five
Role Play => Random Role Play => Topic started by: StarfallRaptor on October 30, 2013, 01:43:50 AM
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The Valley of Peace. A place far removed from the hustle and bustle of the world beyond. A place where conflicts are rare, and those that do arise are swiftly ended by the six valiant Masters of Kung Fu who defend the Valley. The Five Legendary Masters known collectively as the Furious Five, and the Heroic Dragon Warrior. However, outside the Valley, dark clouds of war and malice have begun gathering, threatening to consume the whole of the world. In order to save their beloved home, the Masters must forge new bonds, as well as accept the most unlikely of aid...
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Thread of Hope-Outside the Valley of Peace
"Are you absolutely certain that we're going the right way? We seem to have been hiking for ages, and I feel as if we have made no progress whatsoever."
A white peacock complained, as a large, grey-furred wolf nodded in agreement, tongue drooping out of his mouth as they walked. Ahead of the pair, a muscular snow leopard sighed, turning around with a small smirk.
"No, of course I don't know my way back to my own home, even though I found my way back after being locked up for years."
The leopard responded, rolling his eyes as he shook his head.
"Now, are you two done whining yet, so that we can get to the Jade Palace? Or would you rather I carry you, 'Lord' Shen?"
He said mockingly, as the Peacock irately ruffled his feathers and huffed, straightening his robes.
"Now, now. There's no need to be so rude, Tai Lung. After all, some of us are carrying more than others. And besides. I am still trying to figure out some way that they will listen to us, rather than have us thrown into Chorh-Gom the instant we set foot in the palace."
He said, as the wolf next to him nodded and looked at yet another of the bridges.
"Ugh...More bridges. Great."
The wolf sighed, propping himself up on his warhammer...
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Valley of Peace-Marketplace.
A tall cheetah wove his way through the crowds in the market, skillfully dodging around the pedestrians as he made his way along the streets, stopping and taking a look at the various booths and stalls as he did. Finally stopping at one, he purchased a small bundle of bean buns, and, once he had paid for them and left, looked up towards the Jade Palace. Smiling to himself, he took a bun from the bundle they had been wrapped in, and, taking a bite of it, smiled to himself.
"The Jade Palace. Home of the legendary Dragon Warrior, and the Furious Five... How exciting."
He murmured to himself, and then, with a chuckle, looked back the bun in his hand.
"These are really, really good, too. What a spectacular day this is turning out to be..."
He said, once again making his way towards the Palace...
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Chaka was gliding along. He was using a bit of his ability to levitate since that enhanced his flying quite a bit and saved him from getting tired and increased the distance he could glide. A handy thing since he had traveled far in the time the vision had showed him his destiny lay elsewhere then where he lived & had been raised. He had no idea how long he had been traveling. Same as with his family tradition, once got to be an adult he quit counting has age, he also had never counted the number of years, months or days since he left home. he had no idea where he would wind up. He had been many places and had seen many things and people. Though none of them felt like the place.
He saw what looked like a village in the distance. He landed and decided to walk the rest of the way. He didn't mind walking. He had been in the mood to fly for the past few hours or so. And some people preferred people to walk into town.
He had been carying his staff/sword in his feet. As he neared the ground it tossed it into the air and caught it in his hands as he landed. He adjusted his hat and started walking on the way to the village he had seen.
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Inside the paklace, the dragon warrior po, and master tigeress were training, or rather Tigeress was teaching, Po was listening, as far as that went/ Po right now was hoping Tigeress would stop talking so he could go grab some food. he hadnt eaten.. a couple hours.
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((I watched the second movie again last night during the cruise, and I so can't wait to really get into this!))
Master Viper was curled up nearby the teaching Tigress and learning Po, listening passively as Tigress spoke. She always enjoyed Tigress's lessons, and picked up whatever she could, as she recognized just how ferocious of a fighter Tigress could be.
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Lord Shen finished crossing one of the numerous bridges leading to the valley, having taken the crossing slowly and with caution. He could glide of course, but there weren't many places to land.
The luecistic peacock could still barely wrap his mind around what he was doing, but knew there was little other choice. It had taken him months to heal from the injuries he'd sustained after the ruins of his greatest cannon had collapsed on top of him. He'd drifted ashore, barely alive... and after months of things that seemed like a blur at times in his mind, here he was, going to find the very warrior whose parents he'd slaughtered (to the best of his knowledge) and who'd been responsible for his most painful and excruciating defeat.
What would he do when he finally came face to face with the panda? How would he react? Perhaps it was best to let Tai Lung do the talking initially... he at least knew where to go.
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Chaka paused once he could see the village better. It seemed a fairly normal looking village, not unfriendly or bad looking. He then continued on his way into the village. Not sure what he would do there besides perhaps a walk through the village. He could decide once he had done that.
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Tai Lung looked back over the bridge he had crossed smirking. It had been far too long since he had been back to the Valley of Peace, and far too long since he had seen Shifu and the Five. He was still filled with doubt and uncertainty. He knew that he had done unforgivable things in his blind pursuit of the Dragon Scroll, and he hoped that they could find it in their heart to forgive him...
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The cheetah walked up towards the tall gates that walled off the Jade Palace from the rest of the Valley, hood up before knocking the hilt of his sword against the doors of the Palace...
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Shen had his own uneasy feelings about this. He had not yet found inner peace, and was still tormented by the demons of his past. But what could he do? He didn't know the secret of obtaining inner peace, and could barely remember what Po had said back then. Something about scars healing... Which Shen had to point out as false. So what was the secret? What was the trick? It was something the spurred him on, though he figured it would be no easy path, as it seemed laced with hardship.
They had to be getting close, or so the peacock figured. He still had no idea what he'd say upon seeing the panda, so he tried to rehearse in his head, though kept feeling foolish doing so. He couldn't reconcile with the panda... and he wasn't sure if he really wanted to. He still had... reservations about that after all.
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Viper's head perked up upon hearing the knock at the door. Slithering over curiously, she pulled one of the rings and the door swung inward. There was a cheetah on the other side. "Can I help you?" She inquired of the newcomer. She noted the sword in his hand, but he didn't seem aggressive. She prepared to move quickly though just in case.
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The cheetah smiled and bowed low, grinning.
"I came here seeking to study and train under the legendary masters I've heard about. As a martial artist, and a fellow warrior."
He said softly, his eyes gleaming...
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Chaka saw he was closer to the town. He noted there was what looked like a temple, or some other sort of building, not to far off from the village. It looked like a normal sort of village, like many he had seen before. Things seemed to be going smoothly, normal, regularly, though he was sure it had not always been like that, nor would it in the future.
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Viper gave the cheetah a wide smile, and also bowed respectfully to him. "Well I can tell you right now, you've come to the right place." she responded. "I'm Master Viper. Master Tigress is behind me." she nodded with her head. "And so is the Dragon Warrior. The rest of us are somewhere about, I'm sure." She moved the door open wider for him now.
"Please, come in, and welcome to the Jade Palace. What's your name, fellow warrior?" she inquired.
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The Valley of Peace stretched out before them now, awaiting their approach in its usual tranquil fashion. So... this was where the panda resided? The leucistic peacock could glimpse what appeared to be a large palace atop a mountain on the far side of the valley. From what he knew, that palace would be where the panda was located.
"OK..." Shen murmured. "Weren't you defeated here before, Tai Lung?" the peacock asked the leopard now. "If we... or more specifically you, enter this village, don't you think it'd cause a stir? Are you expecting we just stroll up those stairs to that palace and present ourselves before... what did you say his name was? Master Shifu?" Shen asked.
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The Cheetah grinned, nonchalantly slipping his hood off to reveal his charming red-brown eyes and smiling.
"My name is Makoto Kurotsuchi. It is an honor, Master Viper."
He said with a small chuckle...
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Tai Lung paused.
"I was thinking that if we were to make our presence known, then perhaps the Five, the Dragon Warrior, and...Shifu will come to us so that we can at the least explain ourselves, tell them of the threat we have seen to the land as a whole...and ask for their forgiveness. At the least, I don't have the blood of an entire village on my hands."
He said calmly..
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Viper gave the cheetah a wide smile, and also bowed respectfully to him. "Well I can tell you right now, you've come to the right place." she responded. "I'm Master Viper. Master Tigress is behind me." she nodded with her head. "And so is the Dragon Warrior. The rest of us are somewhere about, I'm sure." She moved the door open wider for him now.
"Please, come in, and welcome to the Jade Palace. What's your name, fellow warrior?" she inquired.
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The Valley of Peace stretched out before them now, awaiting their approach in its usual tranquil fashion. So... this was where the panda resided? The leucistic peacock could glimpse what appeared to be a large palace atop a mountain on the far side of the valley. From what he knew, that palace would be where the panda was located.
"OK..." Shen murmured. "Weren't you defeated here before, Tai Lung?" the peacock asked the leopard now. "If we... or more specifically you, enter this village, don't you think it'd cause a stir? Are you expecting we just stroll up those stairs to that palace and present ourselves before... what did you say his name was? Master Shifu?" Shen asked.
Crane stepped in to see what all the noise was about and saw the cheetah with Viper, Tigress and Po.
"Oh, I didn't think we would have a visitor come in!" He said with a smile on his beak. "Who are you, if I may ask?"
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Viper smiled in return, noting his rather striking eyes. They were kind though... the eyes of a warrior, but one who wouldn't use his abilities to harm others needlessly.
Crane soon appeared, and Viper brightened up upon seeing him. "Oh! Master Crane! Meet... Makoto Kurotsuchi." she said, nodding in his direction. "I think I said that right. Makoto, this is another one of our number, Master Crane. He's our aerial expert, among other things." she introduced.
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Shen frowned at Tai Lung's words, giving him a dark look. Yes... he'd killed numerous pandas... slaughtered them to try and change his fate. And he wasn't able to deal with any of that. Curse it all! How did one go about forgetting things like that? Dealing with the past? Finding... inner peace? What was the secret? What was the technique?
"Make our presence known... that should be easy." Shen muttered. "As soon as we walk down the village's main street they'll go screaming towards that palace." he scoffed.
"As for forgiveness... I don't NEED forgiveness from the panda!" he said acidly here, frowning. "But... there IS a threat... and we can't handle it. Fine." he strutted forward now. "Let's go stir up some trouble..." he said, striding towards the entrance of the village. "Without actually causing trouble of course." he added.
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Makoto smiled and bowed his head respectfully.
"Ah, Master Crane. An honor."
He said respectfully, smiling...
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Tai Lung nodded, rolling his shoulders.
"I wish there were an easier way to do this, but there isn't. After all, if the world is to be saved, it will need more than us three to do so."
He sighed, pushing open the gate to the town as he looked at Shen.
"And it's never a matter of needing forgiveness. Simply realizing that when you seek it and find it, then your life changes for the better. That is all."
He said quietly...
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Shen stared at Tai Lung curiously. "Simply realizing my life will change for the better when I seek it?" he asked incredulously. "Surely there's more to it than that!" he scoffed, not totally believing Tai Lung at the moment.
Shifting his attention to the villagers, Shen gave them a wide smile. "Good afternoon!" he crowed. "Guess who's come to town?" he declared, waving his wing in Tai Lung's direction.
Several citizens shrieked, and many scrambled and stumbled down the street to get out of the way. Cries of "Tai Lung has returned!" filled the air, and some of the denizens began making for the Jade Palace.
"Oh, got their attention, did I?" Shen asked somewhat sarcastically, smiling in the snow leopard's direction.
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Chaka looked in the direction of the shrieks, wondering what was going on. He decided to walk in that direction to see for himself what was going on. He heard what some were saying as they ran past. "What or who is Tai Lung?" He asked, though with how the folks were reacting he doubted any would stop their running around to tell him. So best to continue walking in the direction the villagers were coming from and see for himself.
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"It's an honor to meet you as well." Crane said in reply and bowed his head respectfully in return.
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((So I guess for now, Shifu will just be NPC?))
"Um... guys?" The voice came from Mantis, who had appeared behind Makoto and Viper now, in Crane's direct line of sight. Viper turned to see the miniscule but powerful warrior behind her.
"Ah! Master Mantis! You're just in time to meet a visitor of ours!" Viper exclaimed.
"Uh, yeah, hello!" Mantis said quickly, waving one of his prominent forelegs. "Um guys? You're not gonna believe this but... there are villagers claiming Tai Lung has returned!" he declared with emphasis. "Tai Lung! And they say a white peacock travels with him! You don't think..." he trailed off here.
"What!? Tai Lung!?" Viper gasped. The most frightening and truly dangerous opponent they'd ever faced?! He was back? How? Why? And a white peacock? Had Lord Shen survived his encounter with Po? "Po! Tigress! We have trouble!" she shouted over to the two. "Villagers are saying Tai Lung is back! We need to warn Master Shifu!"
She bowed apologetically to Makoto. "I'm deeply sorry, sir. It seems you've caught us at a somewhat bad time." Viper had to admit, her heart was racing over this. Tai Lung... here? Again? But... Po had been able to handle him before... he could probably do so again... and all of them were stronger now too. Perhaps she was simply getting ahead of herself on this one.
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Shen spied an eagle approaching them now. A gleam entered his red eyes, and he smirked, taking a few steps towards his fellow avian. While he wasn't looking to cause trouble, he was at least curious by the audacity of this bird. Who would be bold enough to approach him and the great warrior Tai Lung? If he was looking to be a hero... then perhaps Shen could amuse himself for a few minutes while he waited for the Furious Five and panda to arrive. But mustn't get carried away, of course.
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Makoto nodded, pulling his hood up and rolling his shoulders.
"You needn't worry. In fact, I would be honored if you'd allow me to accompany you. I assure you I won't be a liability."
He said with a small chuckle and smile...
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Tai Lung rolled his eyes slightly.
"Subtle. Very subtle. However, it appears that it did have the desired effect, so I suppose I can't complain."
He chuckled, then looked at Shen.
"And it is truly that simple. Sometimes, the simplest answer is the truest. Try it sometime. You would be astonished."
He said softly...
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Viper looked at him curiously, but then smiled. "If you wish to, we won't stop you. Just be sure to keep up." she smirked, stretching herself out as she prepared for the upcoming fight.
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"What you mean... just... ask for forgiveness?" Shen asked, blinking. "I can't imagine... I mean look at what I did... slaughtered an entire village... killed one of the greatest Kung Fu masters of all time... and you think they'd just forgive me for that? I took away the panda's parents... that's not something so easily forgotten I would think."
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Makoto grinned, twirling the sheathed blade he carried.
"You needn't worry about me. And should it come to a fight, then I will do my best to protect all of you."
He said courageously...
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Tai Lung shook his head, placing a paw on Shen's shoulder.
"Yes, but at the time, you were not yourself. You were younger, foolish, and striving for something you already had. Much the same as I was. You have grown since then, so I feel that, given time, the Dragon warrior will forgive you."
He said reassuringly. Not too far behind, Boss Wolf nodded.
"He's got a point, boss. Besides, I shoulda stopped you back then, and I didn't. So we can split the blame."
He said, hammer resting over his shoulder...
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Viper was amused by Makoto's optimism. "Well... I'll be interested to see just how well you fight." she smiled.
Suddenly, Master Shifu appeared. "Master Shifu?" Viper asked.
"I've sensed him. Tai Lung... he's back." Shifu said, a serious look on his face. "But there's something... off about it. Something's... not quite right." he admitted. "There's no major destruction occurring in town. By now... he'd be ripping through the place to get to me."
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Shen glanced at the paw placed on his shoulder, and listened to Tai Lung with a thoughtful frown on his face, eyes on the ground. Younger... Foolish... wanted something he already had. His parents' love? He lifted his eyes now, and turned them to the wolf boss. "You... should've stopped me?" he asked slowly. His face finally fell. "Perhaps... though I don't know how to find peace over this. I need to find the secret... to let the past... not control me any longer. Shackle me to it."
He looked around now. "This... that was a long time ago... but I DID do things recently... within the last year too. I murdered... Master Thundering Rhino." he pointed out in slow tones. "I killed pandas thirty years ago, thirty years later... here I am... still a murderer at worst... disgraced lord at best." he mumbled.
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Makoto nodded, bowing to Shifu before turning and smiling a little.
"Then that is a blessing. Even as a warrior, I dislike having to resort to violence before words are given a fair chance."
He said softly, tucking the sword in his hand into his sash, grabbing a second sword and twirling it.
"Shall we?"
He asked calmly...
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Tai Lung shook his head.
"Think of it this way. You were still lost, but now you've found your way. We all end up lost from time to time. What you have to do now is make amends for the past, as do I. That is why we came here."
He said reassuringly, as Boss Wolf nodded.
"I'm just as guilty as you. So we'll work our way through this. Alright, boss?"
He said gently...
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Shifu nodded. "Very well. We'll go down there, together. Find out what's going on. From what I've heard... Lord Shen may have survived too. We'll see what this is all about!" he declared, and Viper nodded, moving with Mantis to start heading down the mountain.
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"Lost... yes... I was." Shen finally admitted, nodding sorrowfully. "My parents..." he said, but didn't finish that sentence. He gave the wolf a solemn nod. "Mmm very well. I'll try and do my best but ah... it appears our 'salvation' has arrived." Shen stated, turning to face the oncoming Furious Five, the Dragon Warrior, and Master Shifu. And what was this? Another newcomer in the group? So what... they were the Furious Six now or something?
Shifu stood at their head. "So... you've returned." he said sternly to Tai Lung. "Why? And Lord Shen... what is this? Some perverse attempt at seeking revenge? Both of you... listen... it's not too late... but I sense something different. Neither of you have attacked. What is it, then?" he asked.
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Tai Lung smiled softly, then bowed low to Shifu.
"Master. It's been far too long. Shen and I have come back...to address that a threat has begun brewing outside the Valley. One that, if we don't stop it, could easily consume the whole of our world. And we have also come to make amends."
He said softly, as Boss Wolf attempted to bow, but stumbled and ended up nearly falling over before righting himself.
"Y-Yeah. What he said."
He stammered...
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Chaka watched from where he was. He didn't see any reason why the villagers had been running away. Not like the folks in the group were doing anything to make them want to run, and they didn't look like something not of this world. He shrugged, maybe it was a local custom or something, to run in panic from a visitor or stranger if more then 1 came at the same time.
Then he noticed a group arriving who came from the temple or fort looking place. The villagers seemed to know them and he assumed it was more of a temple since it didn't have the looks of a military establishment from what he had seen of it. Though he had not been close so could not be sure. He thought he'd watch to see what happened, not much else to do but keep walking in a random direction. And he wasn't in the mood to meditate and it wasn't time to do one anyway.
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Shifu narrowed his eyes at this. "A new threat?"
"And HOW can we trust you guys exactly?" Mantis asked skeptically.
"Wait... let them finish." Shifu held up a hand. "You've come... to make amends?" he asked cautiously. One of Kung Fu's greatest aims was to heal rather than kill your opponent, and killing was only used as an absolute last resort in total self-defense. It seemed the wolf agreed with Tai Lung.
Shen looked down, narrowing his own eyes. "I... too... have... a... similar purpose." he said in slow, drawn out tones. "But I don't... how!" he suddenly shot up now. "How do you find peace!? What's the secret?" he asked desperately. "How do you make the past demons sleep?"
Shifu paused, giving Shen an odd look. "Inner peace is not something you can be told... or even taught. It's something that comes on its own... either through pain or suffering... or deep, intense, meditation. That's why it's called INNER peace, Lord Shen. It's not something given to you by an exterior source. Now... this threat... Tai Lung... continue." Shifu said, standing in a relaxed fashion before his former pupil.
Shen bowed his head, closing his eyes. Why was this so hard? He wanted to ask Po but... he couldn't do that right now.
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Tai Lung bowed his head again.
"Of course. After I was bested by the Dragon Warrior, I began to travel the land outside of the Valley, seeking some form of answer, and then, some form of penance. And as I did so, I came upon a village, burning to the ground, with none of the occupants alive. But as I buried them, I noticed one peculiarity. Their bodies, no matter how I tried, did not cast any form of shadow. And as I buried the last of them, I was set upon by an assailant. One who was, for all intents and purposes, a living shadow. While I bested him, of course, I began to wonder, and search for the truth of this...living, walking shadow. I found it. There have been many similar attacks in smaller villages of late. Lord Shen has seen it as well, as has the Wolf. I fear that this may be the harbinger of a grave danger."
He said, eyes clearly concerned as Boss Wolf nodded frantically...
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"A living shadow?" Shifu asked now. "This is some evil sorcery or... dark magic at work! All three of you have seen it then?" he asked, his voice rising.
Shen nodded solemnly. "Yes... it attacked the soothsayer... my old nanny." he said softly. "It came from the graves of those who died around Gongmen City. I don't know the reason behind it. I defended her... But I ran into Tai Lung afterward... I initially sought vengeance for my defeat but... as we encountered more of these creatures... I realized they weren't going to stop. None of it was. While he's had... his time to reflect I... haven't... fully done so." the peacock confessed.
"I see... this truth, you discovered, Tai Lung. What is it? And you mentioned besting them? So they CAN be defeated?" Shifu pressed.
Viper had to admit... shadow demons? She didn't really like the sound of that!
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Makoto stepped forward at that moment, nodding.
"If they are what I think the are, then yes. They can be bested. They are known as Youkai, or demons. They take the shadows and souls of those they've killed as trophies, growing stronger the more they consume. However, they are arrogant, as the moment they take one as a body, they become as vulnerable as any mortal being, if stronger. So we have a chance, but we will need to pool all our talents. We will need the Five, the Masters of Gongmen City, the Dragon Warrior, and of course, you three as well. And I do believe we could also use the aid of whoever is hiding nearby. You can come out now, by the way."
He said resolutely...
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"I don't see how a simple traveler could help any." Chaka said, stepping closer. "I'm not anyone special." He said, not thinking anything was special about him. He saw himself as a regular person, nothing special. Though he was a mystic martial artist & had the training as well as that wasn't treated as any different then a blacksmith, baker, chief, and other things some folks choose to do.
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"You know of these creatures?" Viper asked Makoto, surprised and wondering at it all.
"So... once they take bodies, they become mortal." Shifu murmured. "So there is a way."
Shen nodded at this. "Yes... from what I could see, the one that attacked the soothsayer did inhabit mortal flesh. It took several blows to finally bring it down." Shen informed them. "But they CAN be vanquished."
Shifu looked at Chaka now, who stated he wasn't really sure just what he could do. "You are more than welcome to test your skills against any of us." he said, bowing his head at the eagle. "If you feel uncertain about them, that is. You might surprise yourself." he commented, before turning to Tai Lung.
"Now then... do these Youkai seem to be coming from a certain source, or are their appearances random?"
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Makoto nodded grimly..
"I have. They're responsible for the devastation of my home. They are monsters, devoid of any semblance of mercy or goodness. But with all of us...we have a chance."
He said resolutely...
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Cool, a new thread!
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((I'm sorry but this thread is for RPing ONLY. If you're going to make an OOC comment, then please put it into double parentheses. Also, you're not officially a member of this RP, but if you'd like to join, post in the discussion thread, NOT in the RP thread. These kinds of posts just serve to vandalize the RP and break up its flow, so please keep OOC comments out and join if you want in the discussion thread.))
Viper nodded at Makoto now, a bit curious as to how his home was lost.
Shifu was wondering the same thing, and turned to the cheetah. "Your home was devastated by these creatures? And how far do you live from the Valley of Peace?"
"Also... from what you guys could tell..." Mantis gestured to Tai Lung, Shen, and the wolf boss. "Are these creatures... coming here?" he gulped.
Shen looked over at Tai Lung now. "Well... I haven't encountered them as frequently as Tai Lung has. From what I could tell, not right away. Did you observe anything different, Tai Lung?" the peacock asked.
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Makoto smiled bitterly at the memory of his home.
"My home is far to the east of here, located on a mass of islands. The Youkai attacked there many years ago. They were routed by one of the many lords that dwell in the area, and many believed them to be vanquished. They were wrong, it seems."
He said softly. Tai Lung nodded a little, then looked around at the others.
"I doubt that they will move on the Valley immediately. However, I think that they will likely attempt to grow their ranks and strength, going after villages until they have enough of a force to utterly decimate anything in their path..."
He said, voice clearly concerned...
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Chaka shrugged, "If you wish to, though there seems to be more important things at hand." he said in his usual relaxed manner, "I know what I have learned, though what one has learned is but a drop in the ocean of what one has not yet learned or experienced."
he listened to what the others were talking about, not sure if he had heard of such a creature before or not. He had heard of many myths and legends, as well as real events and some things that were a blurring of the 2.
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"Well, it is entirely up to you if you wish to practice with us or not. If you're confident, so be it." Shifu nodded respectfully at Chaka. "Well if we're not under immediate threat..." Shifu looked back at Tai Lung now. "I think our next course will be to try and halt their advance at one of their next targets. However... there are some things I'd like to do first. Namely..." he still looked at his former pupil. "Tai Lung... if I may see you in private back at the Jade Palace?"
Shen looked up at this, but didn't immediately say anything. "Oh, you're all invited!" Shifu added, noticing Shen's look. "I just have some unfinished business to address first."
Shen briefly glanced in Po's direction, then sighed. Why not? "I... suppose I could join you at the palace for a bit." he said heavily.
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Tai Lung bowed his head respectfully.
"Of course, Master."
He said respectfully...
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Shifu gave him an odd look, but merely turned and started heading back for the palace. Shen followed the group, his armored legs clinking along the ground as he moved. He took his guandao from the boss wolf, who'd been carrying it for him. He twirled it behind him, but otherwise, simply walked up the long steps, feeling stranger and stranger the closer he came to this place. "How? How did he do it?" he murmured under his breath.
The climb reminded him of his father's tower... it was all too familiar. Narrowing his eyes as he stepped into the main courtyard, and he glanced around. So... this was where the panda trained.
Shifu headed for the palace proper. "Tai Lung... in here if you please." Shifu entered the the main hall, where Oogway had once resided.
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Tai Lung followed after Shifu, saying nothing, head still held low. Makoto, meanwhile, glanced over at Shen and Boss Wolf.
"Ah. Nice to see other masters of weapons. It's been quite some time since I last met one."
He said amiably...
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Shifu walked towards where the Dragon Scroll used to sit in the dragon's mouth high above. This was the place they had fought each other... and this was the place it had all started... Tai Lung's betrayal, and Oogway's incapacitation of him. Turning to face him now, Shifu narrowed his eyes. "Are you... REALLY... the Tai Lung I used to know? I want to believe you but... I just... I find it so hard." he said, shaking his head sadly. "You wanted to kill me only a few years ago... to complete what you had started."
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Shen blinked, suddenly coming out of his daydream. "Oh... what, this?" he asked, showing off the guandao now. "Well it's uh... it's a weapon I've studied for a long time... ever since I was young. Throwing knives as well... which I keep carefully concealed on my body." he explained. "I first started the guandao on my father's insistence... around the time I was... in my early 20s, if I recall." Shen said, gazing off into the distance, as if he were seeing a time long past, which he was.
-
"I would not mind practicing, when others have time." He said. He had doing the moving meditation forms for some martial arts as the only main avenue for practice and exercise as well as one of the types of meditation he would do.
Hearing what Shifu said he assumed he was included and decided he would like to see the inside of the palace so he walked up with the others, keeping to the back since he wasn't sure of the way there and to give everyone else plenty of room.
-
Tai Lung nodded, looking up at the alcove the scroll had sat.
"It is me, master. After Po bested me, I had time to think about what I had done, about how foolish I had been. I let my desire for power...my desire to be accepted as your greatest success...your son...blind me. I was wrong, and I see it now. The words that he told me have changed me. I no longer seek power for that reason. I only seek it to be able to protect other people who cannot fight for themselves."
He said gently...
______________________________________________________________
Boss Wolf chuckled and smiled.
"And Lord Shen introduced me to the hammer, uh...right after I met him, almost. I've been practicing with it since. I'm not nearly as good as you guys probably are, but I promise I won't let you down!"
He said eagerly, as Makoto nodded.
"The Guandao. A noble weapon, for a no doubt noble soul."
He said, bowing slightly...
-
Shifu paused at the mention of Tai Lung saying he wanted to be Shifu's son. "You were... wrong?" Shifu asked slowly, taking a cautious step or two towards the leopard. "You use only your power to protect those who cannot fight for themselves?" Shifu seemed bewildered by this, unable to comprehend it. "Are you..." Shifu shook his head. "Tai Lung... It's so hard to believe but... it's... you." Shifu said, a slight smile spreading across his features now as he moved closer. "I've waited... so long... to hear those words..." He continued, his smile growing.
-----------------------------------------
Shen paused as Makoto called him noble. Noble? He... used to be noble... he used to be in line to rule Gongmen City... but what was he now? He looked off into the distance, studying some far off thing or unseen horizon. "I... I WAS... noble... once..." he said softly, looking down. "But I betrayed my parents... they hated me... for it... and... I... didn't live up to my... expectations.... I was in line to rule a city once... but those days... are past." he said regretfully, looking down.
Master Viper looked over at Chaka now. "Well brother eagle... if you'd like to train, I would be happy to be your opponent." she offered, stretching herself out a bit now.
-
Tai Lung smiled softly.
"I'm so sorry that it took me as long as it did. I know I have been a disappointment thus far, but...from now on, I will strive to do better. I will strive to live up to the way you once trained me."
He said, calm, gentle, and sincere...
________________________________________________
Makoto smiled a little at Shen.
"Nobility isn't just something that comes from blood, you know. It is something that comes from one's actions. Something that can be lost and found in one's life. I believe that you still have a noble soul, even if you are lost at the time."
He mused quietly...
-
Shifu's smile became wide and warm now, and he nodded once. "Well then... all I can say to that is... welcome home, Tai Lung." he beamed, rather still finding it hard to believe this wasn't a dream... but he knew... it wasn't. It was reality... the best kind of reality.
-------------------------------------------
Shen glanced at Makoto in profile now. "You... you think I still have a noble soul?" he asked curiously. "What... what makes you say that?" he stammered, turning his head to look at the cheetah fully now. "I've done things, you know... terrible things."
-
Tai Lung smiled, glancing around the hall with a new reverence.
"It is good to be home, master. And this time, I am home to stay."
He said, eyes misting slightly with tears...
__________________________________________________
Makoto grinned a little, turning to look at Shen.
"The deeds we commit are not the content of our souls. Our souls may guide our hands, but sometimes, we simply do not hear them. If you were not a noble soul deep down, then you would not have come to try to find redemption."
He said, smiling reassuringly.
"I think that, deep down, you are a good person. One who has made mistakes, true. But 'tis a rare soul that hasn't. Heaven knows that I have made many in my life. But you are here now, so that is a step in the right direction."
He added...
-
Shifu caught the tears in his former student's eyes, and smiled once more. "It is good to have you back, Tai Lung. Your room hasn't been touched since you left... I kept it available for your use if you ever rejoined us... and now that you have... it is yours once more." the red panda said softly.
------------------------------------------------------
Shen's head rocked back a little, surprise evident on his features. He was... a good soul? Deep down? The peacock thought about this for a moment, turning things over in his mind. He HAD been good... as a child... he'd been good... sure he'd acted out sometimes, but what child hadn't? It wasn't until his late teens when he'd started to become overly ambitious, and by his 20s, he was experimenting with gunpowder.
The peacock smiled for just a brief second at Makoto's words, but it melted quickly. He still had these dreams... nightmares more like it. And they weren't going away. "You know..." Shen began slowly. "I've been having these dreams... dreams in which I'm about to take my place as ruler of Gongmen City... the crowd is cheering... I can hear them all down below. They're chanting my name even... but then I step out onto the balcony and the faces turn hostile... they start shouting all the terrible things I've done... they want my head..." Shen gulped here, moving a wing to his neck.
"I try to run but... they follow... I can't escape... I plead for clemency but... they don't listen." he explained, his voice low. "Eventually... I wake up... but maybe... you're right." he said, turning his attention back to Makoto now. "Maybe... coming here WAS the right choice..." he said softly.
-
Tai Lung smiled even wider, looking up and wiping his tears away with his paw.
"Then...shall we go see how the others are settling in, master?"
He asked...
_______________________________________________
Makoto nodded a little.
"Nightmares have a way of reminding us of what we fear most. But maybe, by coming here...you can end the nightmares, and with them, your uncertainty and turmoil."
He stated gently...
-
Since the others were busy doing stuff Chaka thought he'd go on a tour of the palace, doing his best to remain only in the more public areas and out of what would obviously be private areas. Also if he were going to stay here this would let him look for various good spots to mediate in, as well as knowing the layout of a place was better then always wondering around lost and finding out the layout by pure chance.
-
"Yes... though from the lack of noise... I think Lord Shen is settling in just fine." Shifu commented, hopping down from the pool and walking for the doors now.
Outside, Shen nodded at this. "Well I hope you're right. I was driven almost mad by my ordeals... and my mistake was not accepting the panda's offer to let go of the past when I could. I chose to fight him..." he glanced once at the panda. "And it almost led to my death. It took almost dying to finally wake me up to the reality of it all." he sighed. He looked up as Tai Lung and Shifu exited the temple. "So! had a good time in there, did you?" Shen asked, smirking in the leopard's direction now. "Caught up with your old master, yes?"
-
After a bit Chaka decided to head back to where the others were. No need to fully explore the entire place, he thought. A basic knowledge of the area near the entrance should be enough for now. With that done he started to head back to where he heard the majority of voiced to be.
-
Makoto turned and grinned at Shifu and Tai Lung
"Ah, nothing warms my heart like a reconciliation of master and pupil! Glad to see that you worked things out!"
He said cheerily...
-
"Yes well, I'm very happy for you two." Shen muttered. "But while you were reconnecting with your old master, I was thinking that perhaps we should go out and confront this threat now, shouldn't we?" the peacock asked. "Devise a strike of some sort..."
-
((I'll take Po until Nick can rejoin us))
Po wandered over now, all smiles as he noticed Shen. "Hey! You survived! That is like... severely cool! Have you found inner peace?"
"Uh... no." Shen said, caught off guard by this sudden question. He regarded the panda curiously and with a frown.
"Really? That's too bad, because you totally have the background for it, I think... and no way! Tai Lung is alive too!?" Po asked incredulously. "No-ho-ho way! That's like... totally insane! The Wuxi Finger Hold didn't finish you off? Are you like, made of steel or something?" Po asked, hopping on his feet in his usual hyperactive fashion.
Shen still frowned, but thought about what the panda had said. He had... the background for it? What? A background of tragedy, abuse, murder, and regret? Yeah... that was REALLY peaceful...
-
Makoto chuckled a little as he covered his mouth with a hand. Tigress, who had gone inside the Palace earlier, simply rolled her eyes and sighed a little. Tai Lung, on the other hand, simply bowed respectfully to Po.
"Ah. Dragon warrior. It has been a long time, hasn't it? And no, I am not made of steel or anything of the sort. I don't know why it did what it did, but it seems that the Wuxi finger hold you performed didn't kill me."
He said, smirking a little...
-
(I'm back guys)
ah man.. so what happened to you? i did the hold and then you just .. well vanished.. i thought i blew you apart. po said.
-
Shen shifted, as if he were uncomfortable or anxious about something. Finally unable to contain it any longer, the peacock moved over to Shifu, tapping his wingtips together nervously. "I'm sorry... Shifu, was it?" Shen asked, looking at him. "I don't mean to interrupt this little reunion, but I'm particularly worried about Gongmen City."
Shifu raised a brow, a knowing look on his features. "Oh? Gongmen City? The very place you terrorized upon your brief return instead of ruling it justly?"
"Yes... well..." Shen looked away now and down at the ground. "I AM worried about it. You see... the shadow creatures I encountered were on the outskirts of the city... and I'm worried they could mass for an attack... and even one of those demons is enough to cause serious trouble to the city... especially now that there's a... well... power vacuum." the peacock muttered.
"Yes... Gongmen City currently has no ruler." Shifu commented, nodding. "Without a central government, it won't be able to defend itself as effectively."
"It wouldn't be able to anyway." Shen continued, still murmuring. "They lack a real military force after my wolf army was well... wiped out, for lack of a better term."
"Mmm-hmm." Shifu nodded, still regarding Shen with that knowing look. "Go on."
"Anyway, I think we should focus on Gongmen City first." Shen finally said, turning back to the red panda. "If they gain the city, their power will be overwhelming. We won't be able to stand before them."
"I concur. I will dispatch the Dragon Warrior and the Furious Five to Gongmen City, but on one condition." Shifu said, holding up a finger now.
"Uh... wh-what's that?" Shen stammered, looking confused.
"You must find inner peace while there." Shifu smiled warmly at the peacock now, which caused the bird to take a few steps back.
"Inner peace?" he asked, blinking.
"Yes... it is the thing you are most desperate for, and I would like to see you attain it." Shifu nodded.
"I..." his red eyes fell to the ground, as if searching for something. "I don't know if I can..."
"But you will..." Shifu said softly, and turned to Tai Lung. "Tai Lung... would you mind accompanying the Furious Five and the Dragon Warrior to Gongmen City? Shen feels the threat to the city is great, and wishes to stabilize the situation there to prevent the demons from gaining many new unwilling recruits." the red panda explained.
-
Chaka was walking back towards the front of the palace when he heard some of them talking. He caught part of the conversation, but continued walking since it seemed a private conversation and he certainly wasn't going to eavesdrop nor enter a private conversation. He heard another group talking and walked over in that direction to see if they were in a private conversation or in a more public sort of area.
-
Makoto stepped forward, nodding.
"I agree. I too will join the others in defending Gongmen City. After all, if those things take the city, then we won't be able to do much against them."
He said, grinning a little...
-
Shifu nodded, smiling at Makoto now. "Very good. I'm sorry about your training... but we can train you en route, if you're still looking to receive it." he said apologetically. He cleared his throat, and stepped forward so his disciples could hear him now.
"Your attention!" he said, his voice raised. "Gongmen City may be under threat from these demons! Lord Shen has told us about his reasoning behind it, and I concur. I want you to go to Gongmen City and stop these demons! The city must not fall!" he pointed his staff in the general direction of the city. "You will take Lord Shen with you, as well as Tai Lung."
Viper seemed uncertain at this, her eyes widening and he jaw falling open.
"I expect you all to accomplish this assignment." he nodded, his eyes lingering on Lord Shen for a moment, the peacock wrinkling his face in confusion. "Remember... anything is possible with inner peace." he said more sternly.
There it was again... inner peace... blasted concept. Shen dug his steel talons through the dirt and looked down.
"Make your preparations to leave... there isn't much time to lose!" Shifu concluded, and Master Viper bowed respectfully.
-
Makoto smiled, bowing to Shifu respectfully.
"Your kindness truly is as impressive as the tales say, Master. I do believe that the training can be put off until this threat is stopped."
He chuckled, slinging the hood of his outfit up again as he stood.
"After all, it wouldn't do anyone much good were harm to befall this place."
He added, as Tai Lung chuckled.
"It will be good to work with you all. If you will excuse me for a moment, there is something I must retrieve."
He said, making his way towards the doors of the Palace...
-
"Oh, are all of you going off somewhere? Perhaps I can go along to help in some way." Chaka said, having heard the latter part of the conversation since he had guessed this room wasn't a private one and had walked over in the direction of the conversation he was hearing.
-
Shen watched Tai Lung head for the palace, wondering just what he was going to retrieve.
Shifu dipped his head in Makoto's direction. "Thank you, and your presence will be most welcome."
"As will the eagle's." Viper said, slithering forward now. "From the sounds of it, we'll need all the help we can get, so you are more than welcome to join us. I wonder if we'll sail into the city, like last time?" she mused aloud.
"It would be recommended." Shen spoke up now. "So long as the city itself is safe, sailing won't be a problem." he pointed out.
"Very good, I'm glad we'll have such a group accompanying my students. Lord Shen and Tai Lung are formidable warriors, and I'm sure Makoto and the eagle can lend their abilities as well. Makoto has first-hand knowledge of these creatures, after all." Shifu stated, looking back at the feline now.
-
lets get going them guys ' Po said as tigeress sighed. ' just try to keep composed po. remember what happened in the market last week? ' i really dont remember..' you smashed about 50 carts in order to get the mr wu's curiosity shop because there was a new collection of furioyus five figures out? tigeress re,inded him.
-
"Any sort of preparation or information that we should know before we get there?" Chaka asked as he looked at those present.
-
Shen stepped forward, clearing his throat. "Well from what I know, they CAN be defeated, but they are very formidable once they have inhabited a body. This cheetah seems to know more about them than I do, however." Shen said, motioning with a wing to Makoto. "We must tread cautiously in their presence. What they do is unnatural, after all, and they require great exertion to overcome in combat. You will need to be in top form when facing them." the white peacock explained.
"As for preparations... take any weapons you have... you'll need them." Shen continued. "We'll most likely be traveling by water part of the way. So it's best to let us know now if you get seasick easily." he commented, more muttering that last part.
-
"So are we just aiming to stun the bodies they are inhabiting?" Chaka asked.
-
"If they're living yes... though honestly I don't care." Shen commented, getting a look shot at him from Shifu, before he sighed, rolled his eyes, and tried again. "Yes... if they're a living body, stun them. If it's a cadaver well... that's something unnatural, and should be returned to the grave, as far as I'm concerned." For some reason, saying this made Shen think of his parents, and how they were when he'd seen them last.
He frowned... his parents... they were buried inside the city... and seeing them was the LAST thing in the world he wanted right now. He couldn't let those creatures infest their bodies. "So yes." he spoke again. "Non-lethal force for the living, lethal for the already deceased." he explained.
-
"I guess we better get ready and meet up somewhere before we head out then." Walker said looking at those present, "Since I guess some of you may want to get certain items."
-
Shen nodded and stated plainly, "I have all I need. My weapons are all on me, after all. We're just waiting on Tai Lung to retrieve whatever it is he's after then we'll depart."
"I'm ready as well. I don't use weapons." Viper commented. "Wow... I didn't think we'd be returning to Gongmen City so soon though. Seems like only yesterday we were stopping you, and preserving peace in the city." she nodded at Shen, who "hmphed."
"Yes, well now you're going to be saving it again." the peacock said coldly. "But NOT from me..."
"Unless you decide to turn on us." Viper stated.
"How absurd! You forget I lost my army when the panda destroyed my fleet!" Shen replied defiantly, turning his head up. "I wouldn't be much of a threat to you with just myself."
'Now, now..." Shifu said in calming tones. "Lord Shen seeks inner peace, just as I did, and just as Po found as well on his journey. Inner fighting will only divide and weaken, as opposed to strengthen and enhance." the red panda said sagely. "Learn to harmonize... or learn to die. There will be no alternatives here." he added more seriously now.
Viper gulped, bowed her head apologetically, and closed her eyes. "Yes... of course, Master. I meant no disrespect."
-
Tai Lung stepped out of the Palace, now wearing a set of dark purple pants, and a new, clean, black sash, with a leather pauldron over his left shoulder, and a nine-ringed sword.
"I'm now ready to go. I apologize that it took me so long to be ready, but I had to find these. I had forgotten where I had put them."
He chuckled, as Makoto shook his head.
"Those who are taken by the Youkai cannot be saved. It would be advised that we take along arms, or at least those that use them do. But all the same, we must also take precautions. There may be some who are not Youkai, and merely afraid."
He said calmly, a strange calm on his face....
-
"Wait..." Shen blinked, looking over at Makoto with concern. "Those taken... CAN'T be saved? Are you sure?" he asked worriedly, thinking of the Soothsayer. "What if it was... what if it was someone close to you? Are you saying there's NO hope?" he asked, gulping.
Shifu smiled at his former pupil, Tai Lung, and nodded approvingly of his garb.
-
"Are you sure there is no way to free them?" Walker asked.
"As for equipment I have everything I own on me." He said.
-
Makoto paused, shaking his head.
"You may have a point. Perhaps there is a way to save them. However, it may require more power than I possess. Heaven knows if there is. I will agree to use only nonlethal force."
He said coolly...
-
Shen sighed. "Oh good!" he stated now. "I refuse to believe that a loved one, if possessed... couldn't be reached somehow." he stated. Ugh... had he really just said loved one? Oh well... whatever.
"You know..." Shen spoke to Makoto as they departed the Jade Palace now, the entire group moving off as one. "Have you heard of Youdu?" the peacock asked. "The underworld, Hell, whatever you want to call it. Is that where these Youdai come from?" he queried now.
"Good luck, Tai Lung. I hope to see you soon. I wouldn't want to lose you after regaining you." Shifu said respectfully, bowing to him to wish him well on his travels.
-
Makoto nodded, placing a hand on his chin contemplatively.
"You may be right. 'Twould explain their odd powers, most certainly. And if they are truly from the underworld...well, then we must be sure to stop them."
He said, placing a hand on the peacock's shoulder.
"It is good to have you with us. I look forward to fighting alongside you. You as well, Sir Wolf."
He said calmly. Behind them, Tai Lung bowed to Shifu.
"I promise I will return, master. I wish to continue training under you, and to do my part to aid the valley once more."
He said, smiling at his mentor...
-
Shen wasn't used to this "touchy-feely" stuff, but he had to admit... being counted on... relied upon by others when he hadn't forced respect out of them... it felt... kind of good. "Well... I'll do my best." he said, nodding.
"What will you do when this is all over?" Shen asked. "Your entire home was destroyed after all... nothing remains... how can one live like that?" he asked, but not in a mocking tone... more... curious.
Shifu nodded, and offered one final smile as the party departed.
-
"Makes sense to me that somehow the possession could be undone. Though I do not have any knowledge of how to do so. Perhaps some tale has the knowledge, or a scroll or book somewhere." Walker said.
-
"If such a book or scroll did exist..." Shen muttered, thinking this through now, "There would be only a few places I could think of it existing... but the biggest would be the Imperial Library in Kaifeng." the peacock commented. "That's a bit out of our way though." The Imperial capital was in the north of China, and Gongmen City was in the south. "Besides... I'm not sure the Emperor would be so... enthusiastic to see me." Shen susurrated. "Seeing as I how I was looking to overthrow all of China, I'm probably a wanted criminal."
He thought of something now, and perked up. "But maybe my nan- er... the soothsayer I'm acquainted with knows something!" he declared now. "She's quite good at reading the future after all, and divining things just by simply observing situations. She might be able to tell us!"
-
tigeress and po moved with the group, both quiet and focused on the mission ahead of them..
-
"Does she live far from here, or along the way. It may be good to consult her if possible." Chaka said. He knew some soothsayers were fake, either con people or well meaning, but he had experienced and knew some were real soothsayers.
-
"She lives in Gongmen City. Well... on the outskirts now I guess. In the ruins of the panda village." Shen said softly. The very village he'd razed to the ground; Po's birthplace. "We can find her there. We need a ship, first though... and have to reach the sea. We have to cross some mountains before that. Almost makes me wish I could actually fly." he murmured.
"Well, we traveled this way before and made it!" Viper exclaimed. "We can do it again!"
-
"Is there a cave that goes through the mountain?" Chaka asked. "That would shorten the trip. If not then we may have to just go over or around the mountains. I guess you folks now the way there well? Don't want to get lost." He said.
-
Shen paused, thinking on this now. "There IS... a cave... that goes under the mountains." the peacock nodded here. "It's a shorter journey... but it's dangerous, from what I hear. It's not commonly used... and they say things lurk within its depths, though I've never been down there myself." he commented. "If you want to take that road, so be it. But we need to be on our guard." he cautioned.
-
Makoto nodded, running a hand through his hair.
"Right...a cave...that could be a problem. Though, I suppose with some care and precaution, we should be fine."
He said calmly, shaking his head. Behind them, Boss Wolf's ears drooped, and he shook a little.
"God....those caves give me the creeps..."
He whimpered...
-
Shen looked over his shoulder at the Boss Wolf. "The creeps?" he asked, scoffing, and then softened. "Mmmm you're right I suppose. My nan... er... the Soothsayer used to tell me stories about this cave... I always assumed it was to scare me growing up. But what if they're true?" he asked aloud. "A-anyway, come! This way!" he motioned with his wing, diverting their course now towards a particularly tall mountain in the distance.
-
"Any information on what dangers we may be facing in the cave?" Chaka asked as he looked at the ones who seemed to have some knowledge of the cave or system.
-
"Well, according to the stories I've been told, there are some form of yaoguai or demons dwelling in the caves. According to the Soothsayer, they hunger for the flesh of those with great power or..." Shen paused here, thinking. "Noble blood. It almost sounds like the stories were just meant to scare me as a young peachick, so I don't really know if they're true or not. But anyway, according to her, these yaoguai are also capable of magic that can bewitch the senses and befuddle the mind. If that fails, they turn vicious, attacking intruders to obtain what they desire."
"Sounds like hogwash to me." Mantis murmured.
"Perhaps... thing is, I just don't know." the white peacock shrugged here.
"Is that the cave?" Viper asked, pointing with her tail to an archway that appeared at the base of the mountains ahead of them.
Shen nodded. "I do believe so. An ancient highway used for transport that's since fallen into disuse... yes, I believe that's it." he confirmed.
-
"Let's hope it's not to dark, or does someone have a torch or lamp, or excellent night vision perhaps." Chaka said as he looked at the cave, "Also best be ready, wither those stories are true or not, there may still be a dangerous animal that lives in the cave. Or more then one."
-
"I can mostly see in dark places." Viper spoke up now.
"Well good for you." Shen murmured. "Yes... best make a torch or something. We need our path lit, after all. Any volunteers to carry it?" he asked, looking around at the group with narrowed eyes. "Because I'm certainly not going to risk catching my robes on fire!" he snorted.
-
A figure sat inside the cave, simply waiting. He didn't know what he was waiting for, or who in fact, but he knew he had to wait. He'd been inside this cave for nearly seven months now, and while he obviously knew the way out, something compelled him to stay. For this purpose the figure inside sat in the darkest corners he could find, to keep himself concealed if whatever he was waiting for turned hostile. As he took another drink from his make shift bowl he sighed. "Waiting is easy." he said aloud to himself. "But not knowing what is to come, that is perplexing." He then finished his drink and returned to his meditative state to wait for what would be to come.
~~~~~~
Master Monkey chuckled. "Oh come now, who's afraid of a cave. After all it is just a hole in the ground." He took a step forward and waved the others along. Being a kung-fu master, though he felt something was indeed different inside this cave, and while he still held his smile he was on edge, not sure what to expect.
-
"You can use what I have on to make a torch. Would not be the first time I'd had nothing to wear, and it won't be the last." Chaka said in a matter of fact tone of voice.
-
"Good idea." Shen murmured, and allowed Walker's garb to be turned into a torch. The torch was given to Tigress, as she was one of the tallest. They proceeded to follow Monkey now into the cave. "It's not the hole in the ground that worries me." the peacock muttered. "It's what lives within the hole in the ground."
Viper slithered beside Monkey now, ready for anything. "I guess if we start seeing strange things... we know we're being hunted." she said, going off what Shen had described. "We can get through this though... no matter what happens." she said confidently.
The corridor began to dip a bit as the path descended, their first hundred feet relatively level, but now they were heading down... deeper into the depths.
-
"& those who usually hunt can become the hunted. So be confident and not fearful." Chaka said as he adjusted his hat a bit and looked around the area. "One may need to use senses other then sight in places such as this."
-
Tai Lung stood near the front of the group, glancing around the cave as they descended.
"This cave... it feels strange somehow. Like there's someone in here besides us..."
He muttered softly, as Boss Wolf took the rear of the group along with Makoto...
-
The figure could hear voices, several in fact, like a massive group. It surprised him to hear so many at once. He took a deep breath not sure what to expect. He picked up his walking stick and stepped out of the shadows and confronted the group as a whole. At first he said nothing, not being sure what he could say. He simply choose to look the group over and hope they would ask a few questions.
Monkey was startled for a moment. And in his moment of shock he took a fighting stance and was ineed the first to throw out a question. "Who are you?! A monster?" he asked genuinely
-
Shen had to admit, Walker's advice was sound. But he didn't really have time to contemplate it before someone... or something stepped out of the shadows. "It seems your suspicions were correct." the peacock mumbled to Tai Lung, his guandao flashing into sight now.
As he squinted in the darkness, he could see it wasn't really a monster. Frowning, he stepped forward. "It's no monsters it's a... toad or... frog or something." Shen stated. "Who are you?" he asked, his guandao not lowering.
-
The toad now realizing that these new comers were not going to immediately attack him, he allowed himself to take a relaxing breath to calm himself. Despite the guandao literally sitting an inch from his nose the figure grinned as if meeting an old friend. "I would be honored to tell you all who I am. My name is Huang Yu. Nice to make your acquaintance." he commented with a calm but heavy voice.
Monkey lowered his stance and chuckled. "See... told you all, nothing to be afraid of."
-
"Huang Yu?" Shen asked, narrowing his eyes, and not lowering his guandao just yet. "And... what exactly are you doing in here? It's not exactly the most homiest of places, is it?" he pressed.
-
When the figure appeared Chaka adopted a ready stance, which due to his style he learned looked he was casually standing there and wasn't a fighting stance, like most martial arts which have obvious ready or fighting stances.
-
The toad nodded his head in response to his name and still held the carefree, passive grin on his face. With his walking stick he reached out, and slowly lowered Shen's weapon till it was pointing at the floor. "Now, now, there is no need for violence here. It would be my pleasure to answer any and all questions you have." he said as he looked Shen in the eyes. "It appears I was waiting for you all. I have been in this cave for seven months just waiting for something to come along. You all are the first, so it must be important." He then glanced over to the cheetah and asked a question of his own. "Would be too much trouble to accompany your group here?"
Monkey looked around and asked the others. "Well, he doesn't seem to pose a threat... I say we bring him along. After all he might be good for a laugh or two." he said with a chuckle.
-
Tai Lung shrugged.
"As long as you aren't afraid of soul-devouring demons and such coming after us, I see no trouble."
He said calmly, slinging his nine-ring blade back onto his shoulder. Behind them, Makoto relaxed, lowering his hand from the scabbard of his sword as Boss Wolf breathed a sigh of relief...
-
"Laughs?" Viper asked Monkey, giving him an incredulous look. That was all Monkey though, trying to make light of any situation.
Shen rocked his head back upon hearing how long this toad had been in these caves. "Seven months? G-good lord!" he stammered. "If you've been in here so long... tell me... are there any... monsters living within these caves?" the peacock inquired. "We've heard stories but... if you've survived in here for seven months then... perhaps they're false." he said, a hint of hope flecking his voice.
-
The voices of the group sent soft echos through the cave which caught the attention of a young coyote who had settled on the upper level.
"They never know when to give up, do they" He mused.
The coyote stood up and cut one of three ropes that were tied to the cliff face.
------------
Right above the groups head, a spiked ceiling dropped towards them before coming to a stand still just above them with a clang.
-
Shen reacted quickly, lowering his body and trying to move to the side before he realized it was futile... there was nowhere to go.
Viper darted forward and turned around, hoping the others would follow... but it was a false alarm. The spiked ceiling stopped inches above them. "Huh?" she asked, looking around. "Did someone trip that?" she asked aloud.
"I didn't step on anything... at least I don't think." Shen murmured, straightening up. "What is with this place anyway?" he demanded. "First a toad that's been waiting for us, and now traps! It's looking less and less like monsters and more and more like contrivances." He hissed.
-
Chaka looked around, "It could be that one of us did unknowingly trip the trap, or someone watching may have. Perhaps to try to scare us into leaving. Adding to the legend and myth of this place."
-
"Too easy." The coyote muttered with a chuckle. Cutting another rope, this time to rotten corpses, hung by the neck, dropped down in front of the group.
"That should give them quite a shock."
-
Shen started at the sight of the rotting corpses dropping down in front of him. "Yah!" he exclaimed, quickly slashing with his guandao into one before realizing it was already dead. "What is WITH this place?!" he asked now. "Are any of us stepping on buttons on the floor... triggering this stuff?" he demanded now, looking around, and trying not to move.
-
Due to his biology as a toad and being low to the ground as it was, Huang Yu didn't move an inch, instead he simply looked up at the spiked ceiling with a grin and then began to chuckle. He then glanced to the others as he commented with a carefree tone, "Ya know, I've been standing on the trip wire for that trap for about an hour now... I was beginning to think it was broken. Guess time makes fools of us all."
Monkey having ducked to avoid the trap as well he laughed for a moment after hearing the toads comment, as he looked over at Master Viper and saide, "See what did I tell you, he's funny. But we also have a missiono. We should get moving."
-
Viper nodded, a bit put-off by those hanging corpses. She slithered out ahead of the group, and began working her way forward.
"Yes... let's be on our way." Shen susurrated. "Very morbid place we've stumbled into... wonder who set these traps, and why? Oh yes and... we were interrupted but... about the monsters who supposedly dwell in these caverns... you've been here seven months... seen anything like that?" the peacock asked Huang Yu again as they continued on.
-
The coyote chuckled as he heard the group freak, but stopped when he heard a familiar voice.
"Could it be?" He muttered, getting up and watching the group make their way through the cave, a leucistic peacock stood out from the rest of them.
The coyote smiled, he had admiration for Shen, though he sometimes hated to admit it.
With that he cute a third and final rope, activating the last of his traps.
---------------------------------
Down below the group were suddenly snatched up in a next that had been laid there, the dangled just off the cliff face where the coyote dwelled.
"Shen of Gongmen city. T'is an honor to finally meet you." The coyote spoke, approaching them.
-
Shen's iron claws lashed out, and began slicing the ropes that encircled the group in the net. With a set of snaps, they began parting, and once he was able to move a bit more amidst the jumble of bodies, one of his knives soon appeared, and he slashed a few more of the ropes. "Ohoho! Yes! A real honor to be trundled up like a sack of vegetables!" Shen chuckled sarcastically, rolling his red eyes. "And that's LORD Shen to you!" he snapped. He wasn't sure if he was technically in line for the throne, but he didn't care. He wouldn't tolerate insolence from someone he'd never met!
"I hope you're ready to fall... cause I'm about to cut us down..." He informed the others in the net.
"I can't tell how far off the ground we are!" Mantis said, climbing out of the net and looking down.
"Probably not that far!" Shen retorted, hacking away at a few more of the ropes as the net began to weaken.
"Who are you?" Viper asked the coyote, moving on top of Po's body for support.
-
Chaka closed his eyes, relaxing and began to mediate. Then he opened his eyes, doing an open eyed style mediation. He used his levitation ability so he'd not fall when the rope net was cut enough. Then he used some of the pk ability to grasp his staff ans separate it to reveal an inch or so of it's blade. Then hooking 2 fingers around a bit of the rope net he started to move the rope up and down against the sharp blade, cutting through it, keeping his fingers separated so he'd not risk cutting them.
-
The coyote pulled the net over to the ground he was on.
"Sorry about that, m'lord. But I am a bit weary of intruders." He explained
The coyote then cleared his throat.
"I am Tuang Jan, a Shaolin monk of Ling Pei temple, or rather, was."
-
Shen sliced through several more ropes, creating a big enough opening for the group to exit by, just as they were dumped onto the ground the coyote was on. Shen tumbled out, but used his iron claws to skid to a halt. "That's better." Shen mumbled at Tuang Jan's mention of his title. "But I don't appreciate being treated like some common intruder! It's not like you live here, after all!" Shen replied, though admittedly wasn't sure if the coyote did live here or not. But so what if he did? It was an ancient road! You couldn't monopolize a road... could you?
The peacock began adjusting his robes, making sure they weren't damaged or torn. "Yes well... I'm sure your sob story is very sad but..." Shen began, not even looking at him at first until Viper whacked his wing with her tail. "Ow! How dare you strike me!" he challenged, glaring at her.
"We should listen to what he has to say!" Viper shot back, shaking her head and rolling her eyes. She slithered towards Tuang Jan now. "Apologies, brother coyote. What do you mean by, 'was?'" she asked him, Shen frowning at her but turning his eyes upwards now to hear what he figured would be another "sob story."
-
The coyote though for a second.
"I was a dedicated monk. I admired you, Shen. I never really knew why, but I did. Others kind of avoided me for that reason.
Then the Grand master was murdered, I was accused and exiled. Having nowhere else to go, I've resided her for eleven months now." Tuang Jan explained, before reaching into a sack for a rice ball and nibbling on it a bit.
-
Makoto relaxed, loosening his grip on his swords as he slid them back to their resting position behind his back.
"Wait, the Grand Master of the Ling Pei was murdered? That's...unfortunate..."
He said, sighing and looking away. Above the group, Boss Wolf struggled, foot caught in the net awkwardly.
"Ah...guys? Help?"
He muttered...
-
Chaka floated slowly to the ground as the net fell from around them. Landing softly and without a sound. "It is most unfortunate, and sad news. Sounds like they did not look into the murder or have an expert at solving crimes look into it." He said as he adjusted his hat and pushed on his staff with both hands to bring it back together fully.
-
"What is this, a cave of mysterious hermits?" Shen muttered upon hearing the coyote had been in here eleven months. First the toad, now the coyote. What next? A mystery panda who'd stayed in here for 35 years and had escaped his genocide, but was now looking for revenge?
Sighing, the peacock turned around as he launched one of his throwing knives at the rope entangling boss wolf's foot, cutting him down from his awkward position. Viper only smiled and chuckled at his plight, amused by the whole thing.
Rocking his head back as he realized something now, Shen raised a brow. "Uh... you... admired me?" he asked, confused. "And wait... you know the Ling Pei?" he asked Makoto, looking from Makoto to Tuang Jan. "Oh yes... Lord Shen... the peacock who slaughtered countless pandas, razed their village, killed innocents in his own city, and tried to take over all of China. Wonderful role model, I am." the leucistic bird muttered, looking down at the floor now, his face falling a bit here.
-
"Maybe this cave will be renamed Hermit Cave." Chaka said in a humorous tint in his voice.
-
Makoto walked over to Shen, placing a hand on his shoulder reassuringly.
"Lord Shen, you musn't dwell on the mistakes of the past. As for me, yes, I do have a great deal of familiarity with the Ling Pei. When I first arrived here, I was involved in a rather terrible accident, and the Grandmaster took me in, helped me recover...I trained with them for a brief while, and then moved on."
He said with a small sigh, shaking his head.
-
Huang Yu fell through the hole cut in the rope by Shen and using his walking stick, he balanced on the top of it using his tongue to keep his balance and meditate. Huang Yu thought for a moment after hearing the Shaolin monk give his name and purpose. Yu simply stayed silent and took a moment to mourn the fallen grand master before climbing down from his meditative position and asked, "So you are the one I've been chasing through here. I was beginning to wonder if I'd ever find you."
Monkey swung free of the net and frowned. "Why would they kick you out simply for believing in someone philosophy? It sounds crazy to me."
-
"Sadly some people can be very close minded and either want to kill, or kick out, those who feel or believe different then themselves." Chaka said. "Sometimes it's based on what species you are." He said, having seen such things repeatedly during his travels.
-
Tigeress and Po examined athe cave as Shen and the others chatted. po was more interested in the wall markings than anything else.
-
Tuang Jan frowned. "A massacre? I hadn't known about that bit." he replied, a bit sorrowful. "So why have you come here, prince of Gongmen." he then asked.
-
"Well it's true." Shen said softly, nodding as Makoto told him not to dwell in the past. That was easier said than done, but at least he knew he'd have to try. He'd have to confront that memory at some point. "Anyway..." he said, looking off to the side. "We're heading through the mountains to reach my city. Shadow demons are currently massing near there... and I figured I'd need all the help I could get in combating them. So... I've gone to the Valley of Peace seeking assistance from the Dragon Warrior and the Furious Five... and here we are." he explained. "They're cropping up all over China, but seem to be in greater numbers around Gongmen."
-
"Shadow demons?" The coyote suddenly gasped. "So that was what I encountered on my way here. All those months ago." He muttered, not caring that the others may have heard.
-
"Shadow Demons?" Chaka said. "Do you know much about Shadow Demons?" He asked looking at the various speakers.
-
"You've encountered them as well?" Shen asked, raising his head now.
-
"That or something similar. But perhaps we can share what we know so all of us will have better knowledge of how to battle them. Some may know some things another does not." Chaka said as he continued to stand in a relaxed manner and listened, looking around from time to time to keep alert for danger.
-
Huang Yu flexed his free hand as he replied, "I usually find that nerve strikes work best. Or chi based attacks if you have the skill."
Monkey scratched his head.
"But we're kung fu masters, not Chi experts. How are the rest of us supposed to fight these things? Or are you going to protect our entire group?" he asked openly.
Huang Yu smiled.
"I could, if I so chose, but I'm sure at least the Dragon Warrior has a few chi based attacks right?" he commented as he looked over to Po.
-
"You did mention nerve strikes, maybe some can do that if they are unable to do chi based attacks." Chaka said as he looked at Huang Yu.
-
((I'll be assuming control of this RP. I'll also post as Po infrequently if Nick is too busy from time to time to do so)).
Po laughed openly at this. "Hahaha! Of course! What are chi based attacks again?" he muttered that last part to Tigress.
"I heard he's capable of performing the Wuxi Finger Hold." Shen commented now.
"Yeah THAT... I can do!" Po nodded, rolling his shoulders a bit and throwing a few jabs to the air.
"Anyway... I think we've wasted enough time here, haven't we?" Shen asked. "I suggest we move on... Gongmen City isn't going to save itself, after all!" he declared. "It looks like the path continues from up here." he pointed with a wing into the darkness ahead. "Let's press on. Also... perhaps it would be informative for those of us who don't know chi based attacks..." the peacock glanced at Po in profile now. "To have them explained to us." he suggested now.
Little did they know... but they were being watched...
-
Chaka nodded, "Good ideas you have." He said.
((Good, I was hoping someone would take control of the rp. I"m having a lot of fun. :) )
-
Huang Yu nodded in response to Shen's comment. "Yes, moving on should be our most important thing." He then took a moment to think before speaking again. "I can try to explain how chi based attacks work if anyone is interested in hearing about it. It would be nice to share a little information that I've learned."
Monkey chuckled aloud for a moment before asking, "What could a toad know about chi attacks? Can a toad even LEARN kung fu?"
-
"Very well... I'm curious about them myself." Shen stated, glancing over in Huang Yu's direction. "Show us these attacks, then." he requested.
"Monkey! I think if even a mantis could learn kung fu, a toad certainly could!" Viper pointed out now, shaking her head as she rolled her eyes. "Anyway, apologies, brother toad. Please, continue." Viper said respectfully, bowing her head a tad.
-
Chaka nodded, "I think more can learn martial arts then can't. Taking into account also certain abilities some species have that others do not. " He said. He looked at the others, "Showing a few basic attacks may help if they would be needed in the upcoming fight. He said.
-
Huang Yu smiled and even chuckled before speaking. "It's alright Master Viper. There can be no offense where there is only confusion." He then takes a moment to set his stick on the wall. "Now as we're all masters of different fighting styles when we practice or meditate we feel the flow of the world around us, and our own peace within ourselves. We can focus and channel that energy into an attack." he then threw his arms forward one after the other with two balls of light being thrown forward, slamming into the ceiling of the cave shinning light for several seconds before fading. "And that is how you use Chi based attacks."
Monkey couldn't help but clap. "I must say, that was impressive. I wonder if I can do that?" he asked aloud.
-
Shen's red eyes widened as he watched the toad explain his chi based attack, his expression one of awe as the balls of light formed and moved up to the ceiling, bathing everything in light for a brief period of time. Such power! If he could learn to do that, he'd be a force to be reckoned with indeed!
Shadows in the distance seemed to scamper away from the light before it faded away, though the peacock didn't notice as he was riveted on the display. But something the toad said stuck out at him. "Now wait a minute... you mentioned the peace within ourselves? So if we don't have... inner peace... it's... impossible to utilize this technique?" he asked now, narrowing his eyes.
-
Huang Yu retrieved his stick from against the wall and gave a short chuckle. "Now I never said that Shen. It certainly helps to have inner peace but Chi is alive in everything. If you can focus it and hold onto it you can do almost anything."
Monkey thought about that for a moment before looking down at Viper and asked, "Do you think we could learn a few chi attacks?"
-
"I don't see why we can't." Crane chimed in.
(I deeply apologize for not posting here very often, either because I can't really think of anything, or I've been very busy lately)
-
((No problem, Blitz. Busy is busy after all. :) ))
Shen's eyes lit up at this. "I see!" he said with fascination. That was precisely what he wanted to hear!
"Well... I bet I could get something good going with my tail!" Viper commented confidently, flicking it out in front of her. Unfortunately, they didn't have much time to ruminate on this. A black ball, like a shadow almost, flew out of from the darkness and struck Shen upon the chest, knocking the peacock back against the wall and causing him to gasp as he went down, his wing clutching his front.
Hissing sounds emanated from the walls as shadowy figures began to form, seemingly laughing at the group as they took shape. They didn't have much recognizable about them, though they resembled a sort of horned creature. There were several of them on the walls, and they started to float down towards the group now.
"Uh... this isn't a hallucination... right guys?" Po asked, beginning to hop a bit in place as he looked around him at the creatures, their glowing red eyes fixing the party with deathly stares.
-
"Nope, doesn't quite look like it." Crane said as the creatures were staring at the group.
-
"Some may be surprised at what they can accomplish." Chaka said.
When the creatures appeared he got ready for a fight, holding his staff and adjusting his hat. "Looks like they found us." he said, waiting for who would make the first move. "Or something did. Be confident." He said.
-
The creatures zoomed towards the party, and Viper struck first, lashing out with her tail gracefully and knocking one back, their bodies corporeal as she felt solid mass when she struck. "They're solid!" she cried, the one she'd struck reeling back before charging in again. She promptly struck it again, and Mantis seemed to take heart from this, launching a flying kick into one now that sent it soaring backward.
Shen ground his beak down, then drew his guandao and did a spin-slash into another one, slicing it cleanly in half, as they didn't appear to have much substance to their bodies, and were somewhat frail.
"All right! Let's do this!" Po shouted, and hurled himself forward. "Fists of awesomeness!" he cried, pummeling the one nearest him.
-
Huang Yu stood stock still as he could see two of the shadow like creatures were charging right at him. He blinked once, inhaled holding his breath for several seconds, and the moment the creatures were about to strike, the sage toad gave a loud croak blowing the two shadow like beings into the wall behind them.
Monkey took his moment to swing around the first one coming at him and kicked another trying to sneak up behind him. "I don't think so!"
-
Chaka moved his arms as if he were going to strike an unseen foe in front of him, his staff remaining standing upright where he was last holding it. When he did his strike some of the shadow like creatures that were some distance from them went backwards into the wall as if they had been struck.
-
Mantis managed to throw one over himself, flipping it onto the ground. "Ha! These guys aren't so bad!"
"They were never intended to be!" Boomed a voice now, echoing through the caverns. It was dark and threatening, but somewhat sophisticated as well. "They're simply here to amuse you for a bit! My real goal has already been accomplished!" Deep laughter now echoed around them.
"Real goal? OK disembodied voice of evilness! I don't know who you are, but you're going down!" Po shouted as he knocked another one aside with his body.
"I'm not physically present, you see! But I have to admit, it's been fun watching this all the same!" the voice declared. "I sensed the Prince of Gongmen City has some darkness in his heart.. perfect, since he WON'T be reclaiming his city anytime soon!"
Shen suddenly clutched at the spot where the shadow had struck him and passed through his body at the start of this whole thing, and felt pain and weakness as his legs wobbled, and he gasped for breath. He managed to just barely recover however, and slashed into another one of his attackers.
"Well then, enjoy the rest of my playthings..." the voice said, trailing off into the cavern now as if it had never been there to begin with.
"OK, this is officially weird!" Mantis exclaimed, slicing into the head of another one with his fore-limbs. It seemed to scream and fall backward and then dissolve into nothingness.
-
"You can say that again!" Crane exclaimed as he attacked a few of the creatures, who then also dissolved.
-
Chaka took up his staff to strike at a nearby shadow creature. His hat he casually threw off, targeting a few more shadow creatures who were farther from where he was. It spun in the air, striking one shadow creature, ricocheting off to hit a second then ricocheting to go back to his hand.
-
Huang Yu, holding onto his belief that when fighting using as little energy physically or mentally being the key to his fighting style took a deep breath, dug his feet into the ground and pushed forward wtih enough force to crack the ground here he was once standing. As he flew forward with his momentum he used his hands and struck several of the shadow like creatures in rapid, almost instant succession resulting in the cave being lit for a moment by golden light as he came to a stop.
Monkey was immediately surprised and awe struck. "Wow... he's really good. When this is over you have to show me a few tips." he commented with a smile.
-
By now it was clear the group had an advantage, and their opponents were downed rapidly, Viper slapping her tail hard against the head of the final one, causing it to vanish into wisps of smoke.
Shen was panting, feeling suddenly very strange. A bit weaker, somehow. "What... was that?" he asked, still clutching his chest. "What did those things do to me?" he demanded angrily, stepping forward.
"That voice mentioned darkness in your heart... you don't suppose..." Viper tried, trailing off as she regarded the peacock with concern.
"I don't believe in curses." the peacock muttered now.
"But magic DOES exist." Viper pointed out. "Maybe he did something to you we can't immediately see on the surface."
"Is everyone else all right?" Po asked, looking around at the group and bouncing a bit on his feet.
-
Chaka nodded, "I am all right, but how about Shen? Perhaps he needs to be seen to." He said, not sure what what had happened to Shen. "I do have some herbs if you think it may help." Chaka said.
-
"I-I feel fine!" the peacock insisted, straightening up.
"You sure? Cause you were kinda all like... clutching your chest and breathing heavy for a moment there." Po pointed out. "Shen... are you really OK?" the panda asked seriously.
Shen looked at Po in disbelief. "What do you care, panda?" he snapped. "I said I'm fine!"
"Because I was kinda hoping you'd let go of those things in your past... ya know? And I DO care about your health... I mean what kinda Dragon Warrior would I be if I didn't? Shen... a lot of kung fu is not just about looking cool and being awesome and whupping your opponents, even though that's a big part of it. Some of kung fu is also about healing your enemies... ya know?" Po continued.
Shen blinked a few times, raising his head a bit here. "Actually I wasn't aware..." he muttered in response. "Anyway... if you have something to fortify me a bit... I'm just feeling a tad weak." the leucistic peacock turned to Chaka now.
-
Chaka nodded, reaching in a shoulder bag. "I do have something that may help. I have made something that should help." He said, taking out a small leaf wrapped packet about the size of a thumb. "You can just eat it. No need to prepare it." he said. "I have some things I make in my traveling around." He said, holding out the small packet, "It should help to fortify and help you feel better." he said.
-
"Thank you." Shen responded, taking the packet and shoving it in his beak. Breaking it down with a few bites, the peacock made short work of it.
"So who do you guys think that voice was? He seemed to know... all of us, I guess, and seemed particularly interested in going after Shen." Mantis said with a glance in the leucistic bird's direction.
"I didn't recognize it." Shen shook his head, frowning. "A sorcerer of some kind, perhaps."
"Yeah well, whoever he is, he's going down!" Po exclaimed, pointing at the ground.
"Wonder if he's connected to the shadow demons at all. Those things we just fought seemed kind of weak..." Mantis commented.
"That's because those weren't what I encountered outside Gongmen City. Those were... conjurations or something." Shen stated with certainty, giving a single nod as he felt his strength returning to him. There was still the sensation of something... foreign within his body, however, and it didn't sit well with him.
"Well come on guys! Let's go! What are we waiting around here for? Sooner we get out of these caves, sooner we can get a ship!" Po exclaimed, leading the way as he waved them on.
Viper slithered next to Shen. "Po's right, you know. The goal of kung fu is never to destroy one's opponent, but to help them heal, and bring them back on the path of the enlightenment. You weren't always so dark, Shen. I'm sure when you were a young one, you were sweet, kind, gentle, heh, your parents' little peachick, right?" she smirked.
He regarded her suspiciously. "So what if I was?"
"It just proves you changed because of circumstances, and not because you were always that way. If you truly seek inner peace, the first step is to reconcile your past with your present." Viper explained. "I would think Po is living proof that anyone can find inner peace, no matter their past. He didn't let the fact that you scarred him change that."
Shen said nothing in response, though he was listening to what the snake had to say.
-
Chaka shrugged, "Maybe they were meant to scare us off, or test our resolve. Perhaps to test our strength or let him or her see some of our capabilities." he said, voicing some ideas he had as to why the shadow things had been conjured or sent after them. "Though it may be some other reason or reasons." He said.
He then looked at the folks in the group. "How is everyone doing? Everyone ok?" He asked, not wanting to move on if someone needed to rest or needed healing. He made sure the belt on his shoulder bag was around his waist. This was to ensure if he had to fly or jump around the shoulder bag would not get in the way or twist around a wing, or get into an odd angle.
-
"It would seem to make the most sense that our adversary would want to test us in some way, but what I don't understand is if he wanted to, he could have easily separated us and gotten Shen alone for a longer period of time. So why didn't it?" asked Huang Yu with a curious frown. He then blinked and replied, "Yes Chaka I am alright."
Monkey smiled and nodded at Chaka's question. "I'm alright. I say we keep going before more of those things show up."
-
"I'm OK." Viper said as she slithered forward. "And yes, I agree... let's get out of here before anymore show up."
"Hmph... I agree. It was a most bizarre test." Shen muttered, shaking his head as they proceeded through the cavern. Fortunately, the legends of greater demons within proved to be unfounded... or at least, as far as they could tell. They made it the rest of the way through the mountain without incident, and were soon near the coast, with a port city off in the distance. It was the same one Po and the Furious Five had used to sail to Gongmen City the last time they had traversed this route.
"OK... I don't suppose any of us has money to hire a ship, do they? I'm not sure my reputation as the Prince of Gongmen City is any good any more." Shen commented sourly.
"Money? Pfft! We're the Dragon Warrior and Furious Five! Someone who's hungry for justice will be bound to take us! No problem!" Po waved his paw dismissively.
"You seem rather knowledgeable for someone who's lived in a cave for the past... how many years did you say?" Shen asked Huang Yu as they entered the city's streets. "Surely all that meditation couldn't have taught you about our enemies' intentions just like that? What's your secret?" he asked now as Po began eyeing the dumpling cart vendors on the streets.
-
Huang Yu grinned slightly as he glanced at Shen. "I have only been in the cave for seven months. My home is somewhere warm, and mostly swampland, where survival is more a way of life than a fighting style." he said aloud.
"Anywhere we've been?" asked Monkey
Huang Yu chuckled lightly. "Not likely. But as for my secret Lord Shen... I wait and see. I don't react until something forces me to, like waiting for a ship. Just like this one." As the toad finished speaking a ship pulled up to shore. "See... just wait and good things can happen."
-
"If it was a test I hope it is the last. Though I think it may not be." Chaka said. As they got out of the cave he looked around. "It is good to be outside again, where the sun, wind, and other things are." he said.
He looked over at Shen. "I've not ever had money. As for getting across I could perhaps carry some of the lighter ones across, fly across, or walk across. We may need to make a raft to carry those who are unable to fly." He said looking around to see if there were enough materials to make a makehift raft.
-
What?" Shen exclaimed incredulously as the ship suddenly appeared coming into the harbor, right when Huang Yu predicted. "Impossible!" he gasped. "That's just..."
"Uncanny!" Po said, eyes widening as a grin passed over his face. "Come on guys! Let's go!" he shouted, waving them on to the docks.
"A way of life..." Viper mused to herself as they made their way to the ship, reflecting on what Huang Yu had said.
"Greetings, travelers!" one of the crew, a gazelle, stated as they neared.
"Hey!" Po greeted in return. "We were just like you know, wondering if you'd transport us to Gongmen City!"
"You're the Dragon Warrior, aren't you?" asked the gazelle with a smile. "And the Furious Five!"
"Yeah! And like... some other really cool guys, too!" Po added, motioning to their entourage. "We're here to bring justice to Gongmen City!"
"Uh... save it really." Mantis added, holding a forelimb to his head and shaking it a bit.
"Hey isn't that Lord Shen, the city's prince?" asked the gazelle?
"Who him? Pfft! No!" Po said, waving his paw dismissively. "Lord Shen totally died, ya know?" he said, trying to sound confidential.
"Uh... right... I just could've sworn..."
"Hey if you'll take us, thank you SO much!" Po interjected, trying to keep the conversation off Lord Shen.
"Right well... come aboard!" he motioned, letting them get safely aboard his junk as he started unloading his cargo.
"Oh hey! I can help with that!" Mantis offered, throwing up a box over his miniscule body and carrying it off the ship before going for another one.
Lord Shen strode to the bow of the junk, his armored legs clanking as he gazed out over the harbor and watched the sun as it began to set. Soon... he'd be back home... soon... he'd have to confront the demons... and what was that thing that had struck him in the chest? Was it still withing him?
-
"Glad you can help us." Chaka said, lifting another crate to carry it off the ship and help to unload the ship. He saw no reason not to help the person who was going to carry them across. His staff he put on the top of each crate before he would lift it.
-
The ship shoved off once the crates had finished loading, and began sailing out of the harbor and to the open sea. Lord Shen stood on the bow of the ship, closing his eyes and letting the wind ruffle his feathers. He felt alive as the ship glided over the water, but he also felt... something was wrong... something was different inside of him. There was a presence that didn't belong.
Opening his eyes slightly, the peacock stared straight ahead, fixating on the horizon and what lay before them... trying to meditate as best he could, and put his mind at ease.
-
Chaka went to one side of the ship. This way he could see ahead and behind to a goo degree and also the side he was on. He relaxed at the side to watch what he could see, thinking this may prove interesting as well as helping to pass the time. He also wondered what the area they were traveling to would be like.
-
Huang Yu had taken the time to balance himself on the back end of the ship and closed his eyes. 'The feeling of the waves, the smell of the air, the epitome of peace. It reminds me of home.' Thought the toad to himself as he continued to keep his eyes closed and focusing on the nature around him through his other senses. He was curious as to what awaited their group upon their arrival, but such matters were best dealt with when they arise. 'After all... no sense in getting worked up over something if we have yet to understand it.' he thought to himself again as he took a deep, relaxing breath.
-
Chaka kept to the side of the ship he was on, watching what he could see and enjoying what wind there may be, the waves & movement of the ship as it moved up and down as well as forward. It had been a while since he had experienced such things.