Is Love Safe?

Chapter Twenty Seven-Dirty Dancers

Keera, Chen Hue Leigh, Hao, Husto, Hei Xin, Fu, Chou-Hen, Leo, Jai, Fu and Shen (c) mine

With a thunderous boom the storm clapped its mighty hands, sending a spark of white lightning down upon the land at the foot of the Dragon's Pass. The village of Xi'an was cast in a blinding glow, and as the two sides of the battlements came face to face on the muddy battlefield, the light faded and the cover of the tempest clouds set everything into a gloomy darkness.

The tips of the armies met.

Shen let out a massive roar as he pounced from the ground with force by his hind legs and shot himself straight for Chou-Hen. The one eyed wolf leapt up to meet him. The two leaders collided with burning eyes of crimson as their bodies became entangled in a blur of black and red. As they landed and rolled around in the muck of the damp soil, their claws and fangs glistened with water as snapped furiously for each other's neck. It was done with merciless malice.

Though it had been a long time since he had given in to the pure spirit of his animalistic side, Leo joined at his brother's side as they both kept on running into the front lines of the feral army, right into them. Knocking all kinds of Hei Xin's soldiers out of the way with their muzzles, or trampling them beneath the huge paws they drove on and on into the heart of the militia; a rippling effect- like the kind seen when a boats passes over the water- left in their trail. They were driven by what was either a long time urge for bloodshed, or sheer craziness.

Jai saw the holes in the front lines that both Leo and Husto made when they charged in. The lioness gave a devious smirk as she pushed up onto her hind paws, and still running for the enemy, Jai reached across to her sword and pulled the long blade free from its scabbard with a ringing song. Yelling at the top of her voice, Jai stopped her paws in the mud. Thanks to the rainwater making it slippery, the female ducked as she slid over the surface. She raised her blade horizontally at waist height and allowed the propulsion of her sprint to allow the blade cut through the stomachs of Hei Xin's men.

When she came to a stop, swordsmen and other wilders of weapons changed their direction and made for their old Commander. Jai growled as they approached, and so went back into her eccentric dance of slicing and thrusting. One by one the betrayers of her clan fell. Fine mists of blood sprayed through the shower of rain as her blade cut into flesh, speckling her face as she continued to smile on.

For most part of the day that wasn't spent training for this moment, Shifu had gathered up everyone and had laid out a, somewhat, safety precaution to ensure that everyone came out of the brawl alive. It had been agreed that Shen, Jai and Leo would take care of themselves as they had the feral capability to take on Hei Xin's men easy. As for the rest of the kung fu warriors, including Tai Lung and Fu, the plan was to leap into the mass of ferals, form up a ring back-to-back and use each other's weakness and strengths to fend off any who dared to advance.

But as Tai Lung came to the beginning of his revenge, the snow leopard saw fit to go on his own path. Though he had accepted Shifu's idea, all thoughts were removed from his eyes and mind apart from the cold hunger for vengeance. It hung on his tongue, and Tai Lung liked the flavour. Pulling from the ranks of the pack, Tai Lung wavered off and went ahead of the other kung fu masters as he leapt up into the air. In a perfect arc the clouded leopard flew and dived fists first into the sea of soldiers with his famous cry. He disappeared instantly.

Shifu had anticipated that Tai Lung would not followed orders according to plan. He wasn't even a student of his anymore, but the love for Tai Lung as a son burned deep within Shifu's heart. He witnessed the vanishing of the snow leopard among the mass, and cursed beneath his breath. Focusing his attention back to the primary task at hand, Shifu took lead of Fu and his pupils as they gave a simultaneous bellow and hurled themselves over the front wave and behind enemy lines.

Those who followed in Hei Xin's rule paused and looked up curiously to the seven fighters. They were all met by a delivery of kicks straight into the centre of their foreheads, the power of plantation from each foot so potent it killed on contact. As they all landed in the muck, Shifu looked up through his cold sapphire eyes to the creatures that saw the warriors' entry and drew their weapons for the attack.

"Knuckle up!" The red panda barked as jumped up and kicked a wolf in the chest, pushing off so that he landed precisely on the edge of the ring that had now been formed. Po reached over and pulled his staff out of his waistcoat, holding it steady in his two paws. Fu prepared herself for the kills to come as she ripped out two throwing knives and grasped them in her paws. She slid down into a stance that Shifu had shown her suitable for her weapon choice. The rest of the gang dropped into their signature stances too, and as they did so each fighter paused to have a look at one another.

Po regarded Shifu and Fu, as he was positioned between them, coolly. All of the kung fu masters, aside from Fu, adopted a simple smirk and said as one the Dragon Warrior's famous words. "Get ready to feel the thunda!" The ferals moved in. The warriors steeled their hearts and got ready to kick some serious bootaey.

At the front, the first lines of the pack and army clashed in a melody of snarls, howls and roars. And as the Blood Knights and ferals attacked one another, they turned what was once a purified land of simple crop fields into the most violent and fierce battleground that China had not seen for many a generation.

Up in the darkness of the clouds, the two sides of the aerial divisions crashed with symphony of squawks, shrieks and squeals. Birds became tangled as talons pierced and tore. Birds flew up and down, left and right, making moves that those on the ground could only ever dream about. They soared through the air, giving chase or fleeing in fear. Eagles, hawks, cranes, all kinds of vicious birds battled in the sky: their dead bodies dropping to the land below and landing with a sickening crush of bones and innards.

Jai ducked to a knee as she pulled her dragon sword in a sideways motion, the blade running through the torso of a largely tusked boar. The pig squealed in agony as his stomach was sliced in two, grasping his abdomen in a desperate attempt to keep it all inside his body. Jai moved up onto her feet and dashed forward to a wolf but was shoved back by a kick to the chest as the lupine anticipated her. Jai stumbled back and came to an abrupt stop. The lioness wheeled round and raised her sword, the animal she had bumped into prepared its claws.

Both animals ceased instantly when they gazed at each other's muzzle. "Husto?"

"You," The Pure One whispered. "….you're the one Leo keeps talking about."

Their faces then fell in shock and they motioned past each other. "Look out!" They shouted. The two fighters recognised what was meant by their simultaneous holler as the spun round. Déjà vu. Husto brought down is large paw and slashed three fine marks down on the face of a monkey, the simian blew out a spray of blood as he tried to deal with shock the unexpected counter-attack. Overcome by the sense so much that he collapsed to the floor, lifeless.

Jai added a little pizazz in her stroke as she coiled up with a jump and sliced upwards. As she landed the lioness saw the still form of the wolf who had kicked he standing a few inches from her spot, a straight red line cutting up from his waist to his neck. Jai humped to herself as she gave a short roar and finished the assailant with a quick slit of her blade across the front of his throat.

Done with their surprise attackers, Jai and Husto placed their backs against one another and faced out in opposite directions. Jai held out her dragon blade in both paws. "So," She said. "…Leo's told you about me, huh?"

"Yep. He just told me a moment ago before we got separated."

Jai's ears perked up in interest and she turned her head round a little. "Is he alright?" The concern was etched within her tone.

Husto delivered a straight punch to a feral lynx's chest, crushing the ribs and puncturing the heart in one blow, an instant kill. The black wolf laughed heartedly. "Last I saw he was wearing that stupid grin of his as he lit into the crowd." The two circled, pushing up against each for support. "Is it true?" The Pure One asked eventually.

Jai managed to hike a questioning eyebrow as she raised her sword, blocking a strike from a feral tiger. Bumping up the feline's arms with a jolt the female took her opportunity with the opening she needed to drive the point of her sword straight through his heart. The canine howled in pain and buckled to the floor. Jai leaned up against Husto again. She finally caught her breath. "Is what true?"

There was a pause. "That you and my brother are mated….?"

As flash of lighting painted the sky, and the land was brought into a few seconds of white.

Darkness eventually faded again.

Jai stifled in her poised movement. The blood rushed to her cheeks so fast that it almost made her head spin. She lowered her sword slightly and gained interest in the muddy floor. The raindrops poured down the back of her neck fur and spine. It chilled her, but the heat in her cheeks was still too much. Jai was glad that Husto could not see her face, for she would have died of embarrassment. Or was it pride?

"And what if we are?"

"Well," The large wolf began as he grasped a leopard by the neck and slammed the cat into the sludge, splattering his muzzle with the muck. The force of the smash had fractured the spotted feline's spine. "…if a Pure One and normal animal, such as yourself- feral or not- mate, it is said that they will create the most powerful cub, or cubs, this world has ever seen. A hybrid species like no other."

Jai could not believe what she was hearing, it seemed too impractical to her. How could a wolf and lioness like her and Leo ever create such a cub? A hybrid in more ways than one? It was unbelievable. Yet, as the female gazed off into the distance scenery of her mind the flashes of Chen Hue Leigh and Keera, her mother and father, appeared. But then they morphed, taking the shape of her and Leo: a wolf and a lioness. It amazed Jai. Her parents created her and Shen, was it her destiny to carry on that tradition- if that is what it could be called? Was it in her blood and that of her brother's to be super creatures, to be more than just normal?

Coming back into reality, Jai found it no longer mattered. If she really was pregnant with the foreseeable future of both Pure Ones and non-ferals alike, then all that signified was making sure she and Leo- wherever he may be- got out of this alive, for the sake of her cubs to come. She didn't think, she knew. The lioness smiled a grin that she had not worn in so long that her cheeks ached from the strain. "We are mates." She acknowledged. The secret of her relationship no longer needed to be kept it hidden, and it felt good to release out. It felt really good.

Though she could not see the proud smirk on Husto's muzzle, the wolf felt obliged to say what had to be said. "Welcome to the family….."

This moment almost seemed perfect for the wolf and lioness, but given the current situation that they found themselves in, it could only be interrupted by one way or another. "Coming through!" Tai Lung's voice warned from the side. Jai and Husto turned their heads and pulled apart as the spotted leopard came rumbling through. He had he firm hold on the shirt of a white tiger, holding the striped cat back from sinking its fangs into his skin. They landed between Jai and Husto, only to resume their rolling about back into the crowd, disappearing again. But not before Tai Lung's distant voice apologised. "Sorry!"

As Jai and the Pure One came back together and watched the two wrestling cats roll off. The duo couldn't help but blink stupidly and stare at each other blankly.

Somewhere else among the chaos of the battlefield, Shifu and the gang continued to fight on courageously against the overwhelming opponents and odds that swirled around them like sharks. Each one of them fought on endlessly against each wave of Hei Xin's men.

And, out of all the circle of fighters, none of them was neither more scared nor enjoying himself the most than the Dragon Warrior. Po moves flowed through him like a river as he and his staff worked as one being to fight off the ferals with a grace and beauty the he had long since grown accustom to. It was a mixture of professional kung fu twisted and dazzled with the limitless ideas of his imagination. Having watched him grow into an adult and live up to his name of the title beseeched to him, Shifu though humbly of the panda at his side as they worked in unison; moving about the ring to blow away any ferals who approaches. For only a year's work, much had been accomplished for not just the two pandas but for all the Five. And it showed.

"Batter up!" The panda shouted with a mischievous grin as he saw an ocelot running right for him. The monochromatic bear spread out his feet in the sludge and waited patiently in the rain as he gripped the very end of his staff like a bat. With a comical appearance Po stuck out his tongue in concentration and set his jaw. When the feline came into reach, Po swung his shoulders and the staff came with it. With a hollow bonk sound the feral was smacked off his feet and sent into incapacitation as he spun backwards into the mud.

"Strike one." Po cheered.

His ear twitched and he swung his nose round to see a wolf dashing forwards. Po adopted the same approach as before and let swing of his stick. The wolf got it on the chest and was driven back from where he came.

"Strike two!"

The panda spun round for his final blow but was dealt a heavy punch to the nose by another wolf. The power following it sent Po careering across the floor and makeshift circle, taking Tigress off her feet as they were both hurled into the horde of the battle.

Po landed on his back with a groan, a small line of blood trickling down his muzzle and mixing with the rain. "Three," He moaned. "…I'm out."

Shifu watched as his two prized students were banished from the ring, jeopardizing the barrier and allowing Hei Xin's men move in. Shifu snarled as he ran up the body of the wolf who had deal the blow and condemned the lupine to an upper cut followed by a backspin and a kick to his lower jaw, dislodging it. Though the master did not end it there, for as the wolf was driven from the ground Shifu spun and kicked to the wolf's chest, doing the same thing that was done to his pupils.

Back on the feet Shifu whipped his head round as his eyes searched the crowd. "Po! Tigress!" There was no sight of them.

As Po rolled onto his front and wiped the crimson liquid away with his forearm he lifted his head to see Tigress getting up with her arms. Po's jade eyes cracked above her, seeing a cheetah heading right for her, a deathly look in its red eye.

"Tigress! Watch out!" Po warned, as he scrambled to his feet. Tigress gasped as she turned her head and lifted an arm defensively as she saw the advancing feline with his club. But as the cat brought down its weapon a sudden goofy look replaced its feral anger, mixed with befuddlement and confusion as it was blasted aside by Po's large stomach. The Dragon Warrior grimaced at the cheetah before looking down to the striped feline sympathetically. And as he stared down on her in the mud, half of her beautiful fur covered by the brown sludge and the rest matted down with rainfall Po made up his mind. He tightened his lips, the corners pulling into a smile as he took Tigress' arm and lifted her effortlessly to her feet again.

Though not letting go of her. "Tigress," Po said as he pulled her face near to his own. "…will you marry me?"

As the words registered in her ears, Tigress became too stunned to speak. For a moment her mouth hung open dazedly, not knowing what to say. Po was starting to get anxious. His eyes widened as he looked into the reflection of Tigress' ember orbs and saw an ape with an axe coming in for a sneak attack. There also came a bark from a wolf rushing up behind Tigress. The striped feline was brought back into her body as her ears pulled to the oncoming wolf.

For some reason of not letting go of Po's paw, Tigress whipped round and drove her knuckles into the lupines chest. The wolf whelped and convulsed for air as he released his sword to the ground. Tigress saw the weapon and, with the flick of her heel, lifted the sword up and into her paw.

Po turned round and swung his staff out low to the ground. The ape's feet were swept beneath him and he fell onto his back, dropping his axe that plunged into his chest on a stroke of bad karma.

Done the two faced each other again. "Po, I-I…I don't think now is the best time!"

They separated as a lynx came leaping through with two daggers in his paws. The panda and tiger leaned back as he slipped past. The small feline was quick to flip onto his feet and charge at the pair. Po slammed the end of his staff down on the lynx, pinning it as Tigress finished the job with a slice across the chest of her sword. They let go of one another's paws and went on fighting.

"We may not have another time! I've been holding back for so long, and given up so many chances I'm sick of waiting!" He brushed aside a leopard's sword with his staff and grabbed hold of its shirt and pulling its face close so Po could beat its muzzle in with his knuckles. Having crushed his kill to death, Po released the cat and dashed over to Tigress as she ended another of Hei Xin's assailants. He took her paw again and pulled so that she came inches within his muzzle. "I love you." They stared into each other's eyes. "I've made my decision: I love you, Tigress. Now what's yours?"

Tigress swallowed the lump in her throat. She felt hot, under the pressure of the most important question she would ever be asked in her life. For a few seconds everything around the two pairs ceased to exist, it all faded into a blur of shapes they couldn't care less to define. Tigress ogled Po's dancing emerald orbs. Soon a word murmured from her lips. "Shifu."

"What…?" Po questioned.

"Shifu!" She said more clearly. Po's face was deadpan. The battle faded back around them. Tigress looked about frantically as she searched for the Grand Master, soon seeing his small brown and green robe among the legs of the fighting Blood Knights. She grasped Po's paw. "Shifu!" She shouted, pulling the panda as they shoved their way back to the ring and into the centre. At the sight of his prized students, Shifu released a held sigh of relief. "Shifu," Tigress said as she and Po moved into the centre of the ring. The Dragon Warrior's eyebrows were sill dipped in confusion. "…marry us!" Po's mouth fell to the floor.

Though it was not the words he expected to hear after his daughter and the Dragon Warrior managed to return alive, the red panda pounced up and delivered a spinning kick to a hog's cheek. "What?" The boar spun to the floor, incapacitated.

"Marry us!" The couple parroted.

Shifu hesitated. "Marry them!" Fu and his students chorused, more demanding than encouraging.

The Grand Master glared past Tigress and Po to the ring of kung fu masters but snapped his head the other way as he darted across the floor and ran up onto a gorilla's back, holding at the collar of its shirt. The brute dropped its spear and lifted its large hands above its head as it tried to reach for Shifu. "I'm a little busy at the moment!"

Po shut his jaw and pushed Tigress aside as he rose up his staff to parry a blade from a swordsman. The panda hunched forward so the tip missed his stomach and then arched out his back and made his famous belly blast out on the feral. The animal was sent flying through the air. Po was beginning to grow impatient. "Shifu, NOW!"

As Tigress was pushed away, her ears twitched at the sound of a yowl coming up from behind. The female rose up the sword behind her back and blocked the attack. She lifted up her other arm and elbowed the attacker in the nose. She then spun round and cut Hei Xin's soldier across its face, silencing its moans it made because of a broken cartilage. Shifu jabbed his fingers into the ape's neck, paralysing nerve and chi points. The gorilla froze and began to topple forward. Shifu jumped of its back and rolled back into line of the ring.

"Fine then." He sneered. "Close up!" He ordered, backing into the centre of the halo so that Fu and his students could close the gaps up once Tigress and Po rushed inside. The panda took his lover by the waist, holding her up against his body so that her back was pressed against his chest. Tigress placed her own free paw on top of Po's. The tiger could feel the warm ragged breath of the panda tickle her wet neck fur. She smiled and gripped his arm tightly as she brushed her tail up against his leg affectionately. Shifu saw the spectacle of it all but ignored the idea of pulling them apart, they were getting married just now. He decided to start the unorthodox ceremony; his ears and eyes still keep a weathers gaze about any of Hei Xin's followers. "Dearly beloved we are gathered here today- hiya!" The red panda lashed out sideways with a flat palm of his bony hand, striking a wolf in the gut who had managed to slip past the barrier of the ring. The lupine hunched over and wheezed out air. Shifu swiftly paralysed the wolf with a karate chop on the collar region. The animal went limp. Tigress and Po looked down on the body and then to each other. They shrugged their shoulders. "….to join this man and woman together in holy matrimony." A flood of Hei Xin's followers charged came to the right of the circle. The sage Grand Master groaned as he leapt out of the ring and onto their bodies. "Carry on your parts!" He bellowed.

Tigress and Po grumbled as they rolled their eyes at how the service was going, but they went along and decided to take matters into their own hands.

"Tigress," Po said. The feline turned around clasped her claws in Po's, facing him. "…do you take me to be your husband?"

The feline grinned and almost giggled like a little cub as she stared into the eyes of her spur-of-the-moment-fiancé. "I do."

The panda's lips hung loose in astonishment for a few seconds. "Awesome!" He looked up over her head. "Watch out!"

Tigress grunted in annoyance as she used her burrowed weapon to cut down another one of Hei Xin's cohorts. The striped feline ducked her head and swiped the blade for her adversary's shin, sending them into a flip to the ground. Tigress hastily stabbed the creature through the chest and ended its life. She pulled the blade free as Po danced in a spin and whiplashed out to three foes at once. The velocity of the staff caused all of their necks to twist and break- killing them.

As he came to a stop and shook the dizziness from his head of the spin, Tigress took his paw in own. "Po Ping, do you take me to be your wife?" The panda gripped Tigress' paw as he spun her around like a ballerina so that her back lay on his chest. Now facing the same way as Po, Tigress saw the two tigers waving their maces wildly at the couple. Po used his staff to block both hammer-downs. "In sickness and health," Tigress continued on as she swished her blade and chopped the felines in half. "…with health being less likely, given our situation?" Holding onto Po for leverage the female kicked out both her feet and planted two direct kicks to the tigers' muzzles.

At the given chance of their spare time, Po reached around Tigress' neck and dove into the breast pocket of his waist coat. He felt the small box against his claws and picked out the case, holding out in front of Tigress' face. As Po leaned into Tigress' ear, nuzzling her cheek he lifted the lid with his thumb. Tigress gasped and her honey coloured eyes expanded as she gazed at the magnificent golden ring sitting perfectly erect in the cushion. Tigress lifted up a shaky paw around the box, never letting the halo shaped jewellery leave her sight. Her eyes became glassy, but she did not care.

"I do." Po whispered in her ear as he plucked the ring from its seat, casting the box away as he took Tigress' paw in his own and guided the ring onto her finger. It was a perfect fit. Tigress lifted her paw up to the sky, and Po watched with a satisfied stare. He did not mind the water as it splattered onto the smoothened surface. It felt right to just let be.

But the ceremony was not complete.

Shifu landed on the chest of a tiger. He stuck out his stiff fingers and penetrated the chi points on the feline's heart, ceasing it to beat and killing him in a way that most could only imagine. As his naturally enhanced hearing picked up the conversing between Tigress and Po, Shifu flipped back into the ring barrier. "As Grand Master I now pronounce you husband and wife." Viper sprang up and Shifu straightened out his arms as he allowed her to run along his shoulders to jump off, curl up and lash out like a wound coil to an ocelot. "You may kiss…" Shifu saw an ape overpower Fu, holding by the neck. The kung fu master dashed through the ring and slid beneath simian and sent his foot up against into the feral's groin. The ape released the female and let out something between a wail and girly cry as he cupped his nether regions. Fu grunted as she impaled the primate's neck with a throwing knife. Blood spurted like a sprinkler as the simian dropped to its knees, clutching his throat as his eyes rolled into the back of his head and he collapsed face down in the mud.

Po reached up and took Tigress' paw, feeling the proposal ring against his claws as he held her. The feline turned and Po pulled Tigress close to him. Their lips inched in.

But just before they met, Po's notice snapped up as he saw a boar come in with his horns levelled to strike. The panda yanked Tigress aside and he struck out his arm, catching the hog on his chest. It was like running into steel pole as the boar slipped up in the mud and dropped onto his back with a moan. Tigress, aggravated stabbed the hog.

Done with helping Fu terminate the ape, Shifu slid up onto his feet. "You may kiss…!" He flew up and kicked a leopard's cheek. "You may kiss!" As the red panda landed he dipped his head as a blade swished just above him. Once the weapon passed, Shifu summoned his chi and power blasted the handler up into the sky.

The Grand Master was finally at wits end.

"Just kiss!"

Po wasted not more time. He took Tigress' waist in his arm, yanking her towards him and onto his lips. As they joined, the world again seemed to drown out. No one could touch them; no one could break this moment of sure bliss. This was their first kiss, not as pair in love but as a married couple bonded by love. The kiss was passionate, lustrous and filled with nothing but warmth in the coldness of the downpour.

Sitting atop of his throne, with a long smirk plastered on his scratched beak, Hei Xin watched with zealous eyes as the battle below raged on. The Pure One's curved talons clutched and scraped at the stone carvings of the slanted rooftop as he leaned forward and stuck out his head, giving a leering gaze over his followers and the Blood Knights. And as he looked out of the battlegrounds, the Pure One's grin broadened when he saw that he Shen's posse outnumbered by twice the amount of infantry. Hei Xin lifted his beak to the storm clouds, seeing the shapes of his other followers do well to keep his brethren at bay in the sky.

Things were going nicely for the Commander.

He had anticipated such events to take place this evening, for as he heard Leo's call the eagle had no difficulty interpreting the wolf's howl. As a Pure One he could understand all calls made by his race, as was the same for any other Blood Knight or feral. And so, as the message was interpreted and Husto returned the howl, Hei Xin prepared a plan that was sure-in to win his army over the pack.

The first part had already been put into effect; he had lured them to the village border. Now it was time for these unbelievers of his revelation to be eliminated. They were a plague in his eyes, and so had to exterminated. The bird's smirk grew longer as he chuckled at his deceptive idea.

It was time for the next phase.

Chou-Hen and Shen slowly circled each other in the rain. They had ditched the attempts of trying to claw one another apart when Shen had pushed the wolf off of him and they both got to their feet. The two drew their swords from their scabbards and so began the tease of padding around each other. Their eyes burned in the night, but their expressions remained as cold as the chilling winds.

Their clothes were sodden with water and decorated in patches of mud stains. Shen's tail swished gently over the ground as he dragged the tip of his rapier through the dampened soil. Chou-Hen's one good eye glared through his eyebrows, Leo's twin swords resting on his shoulders.

Another lightning bolt hit the village.

Chou-Hen made the first move as he swung the blades in circles before lunging at Shen energetically. The feline smacked the two blades with his rapier as he stepped aside, tantalising Chou-Hen with a smirk. The wolf went for another attempt but was once again nudged by Shen's patiently strategized moves. Chou-hen stumbled on his footing but regained his composure and swung his muzzle round to Shen.

The kung fu warrior was still in the rainstorm. "You're being let on, y'know."

Panting heavily, Chou-Hen spiked an eyebrow. "Oh yeah, how?"

Shen slowly stepped round and the circling of the two males was put into effect again. "Hei Xin has no plans for you or your men." He motioned to the other ferals. "Once he has achieved his goals, he will bring the Pure Ones down upon you with no mercy or compassion. If you don't die today by my sword, you will by his claws. Save yourself the trouble and see the truth. All you are now is a lap dog to him, nothing more."

Chou-Hen's black ears were flattened back and his lips rose in a snarl. "You're just jealous!"

"Hardly."

"You're a fool! A fool for not joining our cause! Can you not see the power that we possess, that we hold? We can rule this land for ourselves like true predators and kill off the weak. Hei Xin will make us all true warriors, no space for the feeble and pathetic. We will become gods!"

Shen shook his head disappointingly, closing his eyes for a few seconds. "You will become food for Hei Xin's army to come, nothing more."

Chou-Hen had had enough. The wolf howled out in denial as he brought up his two swords and slashed them down simultaneously. Shen flashed open his eyes and grunted as he raised his rapier and blocked the attack but was forced back sliding through the sludge. The feline pushed with his arms and shoved Chou-hen off as they began their slashing and swinging at one another again through bared fangs and burning eyes. Sparks flew as steel met steel. The General and feline bolted forwards and locked blades, the muscles in their arms quivering as their noses came inches from each other.

With grunts the two leaders pushed away from each other. They quickly rushed forward again, eager to end the other, and raised their swords above their heads. But as they came to striking distance, the duo slid to a halt and drew their attention towards the village.

All around, the entire battlefield came to a standstill as both Pure Ones and feral gazed towards the village and the tallest tower. Tigress and Po broke form their kiss and both stared at the village mast. As everyone viewed the top of the building where Hei Xin resided they saw the large eagle spread out his massive sinister wings and beat them feverishly. The Commander's beak was opened and a loud, high pitched shriek came over the village. It was so overshadowing that not even the rumble of the storm could comprehend.

Chou-Hen immediately understood what was meant by this unusual squeal from the Pure One, the other feral soldiers knew as well. Chou-Hen felt the edge of his lips curl in a coy smile as he turned his head back to Shen. The wolf lowered his blades and lashed out a kick to the distracted feline, and Shen was knocked onto his back. Chou-Hen gave the order, thrusting a sword into the sky. "Retreat! Retreat!"

Some of the ferals had already began to pull away from the fight, at the sound of their General's barks all of Hei Xin's men turned and ran for the village, heading into Xi'an's gateway.

Shen pushed himself up onto his feet and turned to watch as the army moved away and fell back behind the wall of the settlements. As the others came into view the pack gathered up. Shen came next to Jai and Husto. The gang shared confused looks about them, all wondering why it was the army backed off so suddenly. The Pure Ones weren't winning, far from it, so why retreat into the village? The last of the ferals had faded behind the curtain of rainfall and faded into the mist.

For a while the large group all just stared incredulously at the village entrance. Shen looked to the tower, Hei Xin was missing too. "Where are they all going?" Po asked.

Though Shen had not the slightest clue how to answer the panda, he eyed the settlement sceptically. "I dunno." Shen replied. He tightened the grip around the handle of his rapier, the material groaned under his hold. He lowered his head and glared up through his eyebrows. There was only one way they were going to get answers. Looking either side of him to the pack, Shen added. "Let's go ask 'em." He growled charging forward and making a run for the village.

Getting cold from standing still in the rain, concerned for the flaunt order Shen gave, everyone gave each other looks of disagreement and doubt. Yet though they knew there was no way to bring Shen back, the only suitable thing was to go in after him. Jai and Leo went first, both of them thinking of the dream that Shen had described of his death in mind. The rest of the pack still alive soon followed in their wake.

Shen lead on with his army following in his trail as he entered the village and ran up the main stone cobbled road. On he went, the rest of the gang filing in behind him as they entered the gates of village and sprinted after the feline growling and snarling. The Pure Ones still desired to finish off what had been started. Though as they managed to catch up with Shen he slowed down his pace to a halt and they all entered the main section of Xi'an, the market square. All gazes searched around the streets and roads leading into different sections of the village. They were all empty. There was no sign of life anywhere.

Mumbles of unlikeness began to arise over the pack, cynical eyes probing the walls of the buildings that surrounded them. Apart from the storm and aerial battle still going on above and the pitter-patter of rain drops hitting the floor no sign or sound of Hei Xin's militia was found. It was as if Chou-Hen and his entire clan had vanished into thin air. Shen, like the rest of those who had been under Oogway's teachings gave a splinter of thought to the ironical idea that: nothing was impossible. Yet an entire mass of animals had disappeared. It was impossible.

Shen was not buying it. "Stay frosty, they're out there." He warned, padding off ahead.

The sound of the mid-air fight overhead continued on.

The entire army looked about them, eyes searching the darkened buildings and the shower mist that was being made by the cramped bodies all generating heat in the cold weather. Po peered through the back alleys of the houses, still seeing not a living soul of Hei Xin's men. A cold tingle picked at his spine. The rest of the gang could feel it too. They shivered.

As Shen walked on with his rapier held by two paws, the feline looked around at the village that was once his home. He had been down these roads and back alleys enough times to know that there were not a lot of easy hiding spots. He walked on and stopped to glance up as he found himself at the base of the tallest tower in Xi'an. There then came a whooshing sound and a black corpus fell down right for Shen. Realization hit. "Get back!" He bellowed, waving an arm to his friends and family. The feline had just enough time to leap up and flip backwards away from the pack as Hei Xin came slamming into the stone road. The ground rumbled and a crater was formed on impact. Shen landed on his feet and sunk low into a stance as he raised his rapier defensively to the avian with a growl.

And as the Pure One lifted himself out of the hole with a beat of his wings, a flock of battle cries came over the pack and before anyone could step in to help Shen Hei Xin's army returned and brought down Hell upon the startled Pure Ones. Out from the shades they jumped and down from the roof tops, plunging their blades and fangs into the bodies of the Blood Knights.

"Ambush!" Husto howled as he took a diving feline coming at him fists first by the neck and smashed the cat into the stone floor.

Many Pure Ones were slaughtered instantly, a mist of blood rose to the sky. The Five, Tai Lung and Po immediately regain from their shock and lit into action at the sudden change of tide. Shifu growled as he bounded up and dove in to help his pupils. Jai, Leo, Husto and Fu got to work as they formed a circle of their own and faced out to Hei Xin's cohorts with snarls on their muzzles. Two seconds passed since the ambush, and already fierce scrap was engaged once more.

Shen cursed as much as to Hei Xin as himself. He felt like a complete idiot in not seeing the idea of Hei Xin's plan to ensure he would lead the pack into the village and fall right into his trap, dooming everyone. Shen looked past the eagle to the fight in the market square. Hei Xin swung his head round and gazed at the battle in a menacing way. Brining his view of sight back to Shen, the Pure One spread his wings and lowered his head to the floor. A long dark grin pulled at his lips. Shen backed away and raised his rapier.

The eagle grinned darkly. "I'm going to enjoy this."

"That makes two of us."

The numbers of Husto pack were beginning to dwindle, the ambush had left them to a disadvantages as many animals, both male and female, where killed before they had a chance to defend themselves. Yet they continued to fight to the end; they knew of the risks as to what would happen should any of Hei Xin's men be allowed to escape with their Commander. They pushed onwards, through the fatigue that was beginning to creep over them.

Shifu, Fu and the kung Fu students had once again adopted their circle again and were doing well to keep the ferals at bay in the small space that they had.

Tigress moved gracefully as she and her new husband worked together as a team, just like earlier, to fend off the creatures dumb enough to even try and break through the ranks of the gang. But the striped female couldn't help but growl in her throat as her mind registered the undeniable realization that they were losing this fight and being crowded.

She could already feel Tai Lung's tail brushing up against her own and the sense of her friends' feet. Tigress understood the plan being forced on them. They were to be boxed in and cramped together so there was even less room for movement, giving the ferals a chance to pick them off one by one.

The kung fu master knew Shifu would scold her at first, but the sudden idea that appeared in her mind would give her and her associates the ability to spread out again. Breaking lines, Tigress shot forwards at her nearest target- a large gorilla.

Shifu saw her immediately. "Tigress, get back here!"

Po's head snapped in the general direction of his lover. The feline bolted straight towards the ape, giving him no opportunity to make his move as she shot for his face, landing right on his big nose. The kick was hasty but the might behind it was enough to kill instantly as his entire face caved in. Tigress propelled herself back with her legs, flipping the feral onto his front, as she hurtled back to the gang.

"Po," she called, arms outstretched and paws open. "…swing me!"

The Dragon Warrior saw the notion to his wife's command as he knocked out a boar with the butt of his staff and quickly spun round, holding out the body of his stick horizontally with both paws. Tigress felt Po's wooden pole against her pads and took hold. Po smirked as he began to spin on his heels.

"Head's up!" He called to all those around him. Shifu, Fu and the rest of the gang gazed at the panda and saw Tigress holding onto his staff, the swing in motion told them all they needed to know. They ducked their heads on instinct and kept low to the ground.

With a whirlwind effect, Tigress and Po became a blur of black, white and orange torrents as they spun round. Hei Xin's men saw what they were doing but ignored intellectual approaches as they dove right for the gang, only to be kicked in the face as Tigress used her feet to run round them in a perfect circle.

Though they saw it, some of Hei Xin's men were too idiotic enough to see that there was no getting past the Dragon Warrior and striped kung fu master's joint team defence move. They sprung for the gang but were met by the sheer power of Tigress' feet running along their faces, sending spit flying along with shattered teeth. It wasn't long before a pile of unconscious bodies began to pile up like a fence around the warriors.

Po slowed his swing and allowed Tigress back onto her feet. The striped female shook her head to rid of the dizziness and furrowed her eyebrows as she concentrated on the newcomers. Fu and the others rose by her side as the circle was formed once more.

They all sunk back into the stances and went back to work.

Shen waved about his rapier as he tried to prick the Pure One's feathers, but the bird was large and surprisingly nimble. Shen was determined, as he thrust out his arm and tried to stab Hei Xin's heart though only succeed in slicing off a few feathers. Hei Xin squawked as he cut Shen's arm with his talons. The feline yelped and dropped his sword and cart-wheeled away as the Commander went for another attempt.

Getting some distance away from Hei Xin, Shen could feel his arm pound and now without any weapon. He grimaced over the avian and met the challenge in Hei Sin's red eyes. And it was in that stare that Shen figured he needed no weapon to defeat this foe. If there was to be any honour in his kill, or his death, he would go down fighting on equal terms- with his claws and fangs tearing into Hei Xin's skin.

But before the feline charged for the Pure One, Shen's red eyes glanced over the bird as a shadow as large as the Pure One himself caught Shen's stare in the darkness of the night shower. The animal was huge, and the shape of its body was easily defined by Shen's heightened feline eyes, and as the creature's features were made out Shen felt a growing sense of cold fear grip at his heart as he saw where the shadow was heading.

Hei Xin attacked.

Po spun his staff round like a windmill as finished off a foe. The panda struck out his paw and smiled as he waited for the next move. His jade eyes side-glanced over to Tigress, taking in her form with a proud, yet seductive gaze. Even as she punched out a boar on the snout, Po was attracted to her all the more. This was his wife.

But from his dazing at the tiger, the Dragon Warrior failed to realise that he had his back to the outside of the circle. The panda froze as he felt the ground suddenly shake. The tremors ran from the ground up through his legs and up to the tip of his spine. Po shivered at the feeling, the sounds got louder and closer as a great shadow descended upon him. Po spun round and found himself looking up with stunned eyes to the wraith towering over him. It was an ox twice the height, size, and mass of him. The bull towered over Po with pointy horns and a silver ring jutting from out of its nose, snorting out gusts of warm condensed clouds of air. With a drag of its massive arms the ox raised up above its head a humungous double-bladed axe.

Shifu paralysed a feral with quick precision of his nimble fingers and as he looked around for the next opponent the red panda instantly saw the large form of the animal standing in front of Po. The Dragon Warrior still did not move. It was an ox at least twice the size, height and mass of Po. A bolt surged from the storm clouds above. The white light lit up the shape of a large axe with twin blades being held in its hoofs.

The Grand Master's heart skipped a beat. "Po! Move!"

Po eventually snapped out of his gape as he saw the ready axe. Po lifted up his staff in defence. The blades came down, cutting into Po's beloved staff and lodged into the cobbled street. The panda wavered backwards as splinters were sent flying; he looked at the two halves of his walking sick with disbelief. Po looked up from his paws as the flat of a hoof swung across his cheek.

Thanks to the size and muscular potency of the ox's arms, Po was knocked clean off his feet with a yelp and careered with a sickening thud into a nearby wall of a house. Tigress wailed in horror was beaten away. Shifu gasped in shock. The feline's abrupt squeal attracted the attention of Tai Lung and the others. They all witnessed as Po was smacked aside. Viper gasped, the males flinched as Po hit the stone surface and fell down onto his front. He did not move.

They all turned to the ox who had struck Po, and with a massive battle cry jumped onto the bull in an attempt to avenge their fallen comrade. But they came not even in striking distance of the brute as he beat them away against another wall. Though they were tougher than Po and able to take more of a punch, the strike of the ox's hoof into the wall was still too much even for kung fu masters. The gang dropped and lay out on the wet floor with groans coming from each of them.

Tigress had a major headache and a hurting back from the beating, but she was too determined to reach her husband to let the pain of her body win her over. But as she tried to get back on her feet and step forward nausea swept over and she collapsed to her stomach, reaching out with a shaking arm for her lover. Her embers eyes fluttered like butterfly wings.

The Dragon Warrior began to regain consciousness. His arms dragged across the pools of rainwater, brushing over the stones as he placed his paws in front of him and push up. It wasn't the ox who had dealt the most damage, it was the collision with the wall and the back of his head that brought about the sense of dizziness and ringing in his ears. Through his paw pads pressed against the stone floor, Po could feel the heavy steps of the bull slowly walking his way. The panda tried to push up onto his feet, his arms shook weakly. His mind throbbed and his jaw ached tremendously.

Shen heaved a strenuous breath from his lungs as we slammed into a nearby wall by Hei Xin. The feline groaned as he hunched over and tried to maintain his footing, arms hanging in front of him droopily. As a screeching sound came to his ears, Shen looked up as the Commander hoped over to him and took hold of his shoulders in his talons and lifted him off the ground. With little effort, Hei Xin flapped his wings and lifted Shen off the ground and threw him into another wall. Then again, and again.

Shen felt his body beginning to break under the many times he was thrown about. Once or twice he tried to stop the bird, but Hei Xin would only overpower him. Shen gave it one more try. As the avian approached Shen pushed himself from the wall and strode over to meet Hei Xin with unsheathed claws. The Pure One smirked at Shen's enthusiasm, yet knew he had to end the feline's life.

Shen went to strike left, Hei Xin blocked. The Commander spun around with his jagged wings spread out. Shen jumped and flipped, missing Hei Xin's wing as it passed underneath. The feral went to make his attack but Hei Xin was a step ahead as he delivered a strong smack to Shen's face. The feline slid across the floor and landed on his face. Shen tried to push himself up but he suddenly felt Hei Xin place a large heavy claw on the small of his back. With a flew of his muscles one of his talons spiked downwards and plunged into the healing wound of where Shen had been shot with the arrow on the night he was taken.

He yelled out in agony at the white sting.

The Dragon Warrior shook his head to rid the wooziness and double-vision plaguing him, eventually managing to regain his sense of orientation. The footsteps of the ox were close by, the sound of the dragged axe screeching in Po's ears. The ox's shadow was upon him again. Po looked up to the unfriendly face of the beast; the bull snorted and kicked his foot against Po's chin. The panda's torso lifted off the ground. As he landed, the ox did the same thing again. Po wheezed as the air drained from his lungs, gasping.

Po's eyes rolled up and his sight became hazy once more. And as he gazed up, across from where he was the blurred image of someone reaching out for him came into view. A distant voice called his name. As the breath of oxygen returned to his body, Po's emerald orbs focused on the figure. It was Tigress: she was on her front, reaching across the floor for him- the golden proposal ring glistening on her claw.

It was then the world seemed to down, the sounds of the battle going on around Po faded into silence. The panda's thoughts that spoke in his mind were all that could be heard. They spoke clearly, the voice of his friends, in his ears as if they were standing right next to him. Among them was his own.

This problem is your own, not mine. I risked my life and the life of my friends travelling into those mountains once before. I do not intend to risk it all again. The panda's emerald eyes looked up; he could see Fu with Jai, Husto and Leo. She scrunched her face and stabbed at her foes. Not for me, not for you, your cub or your boyfriend!

The panda changed his stare over to Shen, catching how the bird pinned down his friend. The great bird's beak had curled into a long grin that reminded Po all too well of Chen Hue Leigh. You once said to me and Po that you would die trying to change your ways and do good. I think this qualifies.

If we don't stop Hei Xin, you won't have a family to love anymore!

A family to love….

Swinging his head round to the other side, Po's dancing eyes finally came to rest on his new wife again. Tigress. Their gazes locked, his emerald ones with her glassy fluttering ember orbs. He watched from afar as she tried wildly to push her way to him. The fear and terror on her face, among the revulsion, was something the panda had never seen before in her complexion, she looked afraid and scared, just like that morning when they were alone together on the mountain side locked in each other's embrace. The tears made Po believe all the more he was reliving in the past. She is one lucky woman, to have a guy like you.

The enemy you are destined to face will be tougher than any other adversary you've fought before. This fight will not be an easy one, you cannot let it go by chance.You will live your life, but not if you fail to win the upcoming battle! Your life will be unbearable, filled with death, loss and pain! The same for the ones you love and hold so close to your heart!

The shakes of the ground told the Dragon Warrior his executioner was positioning himself at angle to Po's neck, he did not move. He Dragon Warrior pulled his eyes away from Tigress and stared down at the small puddle in the ground. His reflection shined back the face of a panda with long black and white fur, covered with brown patches of mud and blood. The panda slowly closed his eyes.

And out of all those faces he could picture in his mind, one distinct muzzle stood out, taking the form of wolf with fur as white as pure snow and eyes that shined so bright the liveliest of green seemed dead. The lupine smiled simply at him. If you ever wish to come out of it victorious you must learn to give into your hatred, anger and fury. You have to give yourself over to your darker side, only then can you do true good. You must become truly feral. The wolf's voice echoed on, as if Po were reliving his dream encounter.

No! I made a promise to myself to that I would not let myself become like that ever again. I risked too much for my friends. I almost lost Tigress because of it! The panda snarled mentally to the wolf's calm face.

Take a deep breath, Dragon Warrior. You'll find things can be done much easier when you're calm. Leo's gentle tone cooed. In the real world, the panda laid out on his stomach, still as a stone. The ox snorted disappointingly, expecting more of a fight from the renowned Dragon Warrior. Seeing he was going to get no more of a brawl with the panda, he grabbed the long pole of his axe and lifted the hefty weapon out of the floor. He swung the great blades past Po's head and raised it high into the stormy sky.

A flash of lighting struck the land, everything was sent into a blinding light for a few seconds.

Po still did not move. He took in a slow breath of cold air through his nose, feeling a sense of lightness. You must become truly feral.

Truly feral.

Feral.

Feral!

Feral!

Po... Tigress' soft tone whispered with tender care in his mind, silencing all other voices. I love you.

I love you...

I love you.

Po finally realized. Now he understood. After being so inquisitive about and curious as to what it was like to be feral, the panda knew everything about it. For as long as he could remember he was afraid, scared of the world and the darkness that swept over it with an evil smile. All the shadows and abysses; the hatred, the anger, the fury, loss and the aching, it was all an illusion. It was never real, only an image created to hold back the spirit of the wild animal that tore at the inside of his soul. The world opened up to him, like a beautiful flower on the first morning in the new spring. There was happiness, joy, cheer, enjoyment, passion. Love. Po felt it all; his heart was rid of the darkness. He was no longer afraid. All he felt was bliss. Enlightenment.

This is what it meant to be feral.

Po's lips stretched out into a smile and his eyes opened with a thunderous boom from the Heavens.

They were brilliant red.

Slowly the world fazed back into speed, the raindrops fell with down upon the land and gained momentum. The cries and roars of the Pure Ones and Hei Xin's soldiers reached up to the blackened thunder clouds and met with the booming clash of Heavens. Po slowly wrapped his claws around the handle of a small dagger discarded nearby and waited patiently. With a mighty cry, the ox's muscles quivered as he brought down his arms and with them the curved edge of his axe.

"PO!" Tigress dizzily screamed.

The feral Dragon Warrior did not make his move till the moment was necessary; when he could just feel the touch of the cold, wet blade touch the tips of the black fur on his neck. Po instantly rolled aside, the axe falling down harmlessly into the ground beside him.

Seeing the big nose ring hanging from the bull's nose, Po latched out a paw and pulled down with unimaginable strength. The ox never saw it coming. And as the astonished brute's face was pulled to mere inches from Po's smiling muzzle he was too late to realise that he had made the last mistake of his life.

Transforming his smile into a snarl, Po swung his arm against the ox's neck and impaled the blade of the dagger into the bull's throat. The great ox grunted and his body twitched as the blade pierced his rough skin and cut into his gullet. The wraith's face drained of its colour. Po swiped the blade free and pushed with his feet against the brute's saggy chest, bashing him off and onto his back with a ground-shaking thud. The creature was dead before he hit the floor.

Shifu and the others had started to come around. Tigress' vision cleared and she gawked, astounded to the panda and his agile moves. It was a side of fighting that neither of them had seen- again. And they watched as Po did not remain standing poised for long. He flipped the blade in his paw so the handle was sticking out. With a newfound professional accuracy, Po threw the dagger in the direction of Hei Xin.

The great Commander stared down pleasingly at Shen's body restrained beneath his talons. He savoured the moment, feeling the sense of power and triumph that swelled within his chest. All he had to do now was finish the job. He could feel the energy leaving Shen, draining from the feline's beaten body. Pulling his claws free of the wound in Shen's shoulder, Hei Xin raised his talons into the air and moved to strike, they glimmered with water.

Shen braced himself for the kill, with no way of getting out from under Hei Xin's weight the only thing he could do was wait for the end to come. The only thing that would save him now, was a miracle.

There was a swish of air and the sound of a sharp gasp. Hei Xin stepped off of Shen. The feline propped himself up on his elbow and faced the Commander. He gazed down to the eagle's long black feathered neck where the blade that was thrown by Po had lodged itself in Hei Xin's throat. The Commander stepped back further with a wavering balance, he blinked stupidly and looked down to the blade in his neck. Shen moved his gaze to where the blade came from, his eyes coming to rest on Po.

The feral panda stared back at Shen through his scarlet eyes. The feline stared back with his own. And as the two feral creatures met eyes, Po nodded his head. Shen understood the message without fail. Snapping his head back to Hei Xin, Shen rolled onto all four of his paws and sunk low to the ground. His fur bristled and he let a long growl ripple in his throat before he pounced on the injured bird and pinned him to the ground.

There was a silence between the two enemies.

Shen glared fiercely down in Hei Xin's face. What he saw was no longer anger or hatred, but shock with a hint of failure. Failure at witnessing the dream that the Pure One had so longed for become shattered like broke glass. The bird made no attempt to strike back, he had already given up. The eagle closed his eyes as he took in a shallow but long breath. Shen eyed the bird.

Hei Xin opened his eyes again, and Shen was shocked to find himself not looking into the red eyes of a Pure One but the perfect ocean blue orbs of a creature that was now free of its demons and fears.

With another draw of breath and a few coughs of blood, Hei Xin pulled his beak into a shaking smile. "W-worth a t-try….."

Shen's face hardened, his lips raised and his nose scrunched up as he put on the most ferocious snarl Hei Xin had seen in a while. The Commander knew that his time had come, his blue-core moon eyes begged for relief; he leaned his head to the side and offered Shen his throat. The feline obliged to the Pure One's demand as Shen curled his lips up and let his feral instinct take over as he dove in a sunk his teeth into flesh and blood with a sickening growl.

Hei Xin made no sound of plea or denial as he felt Shen's fangs price his skin, he welcomed the touch. He wanted the death: a punishment for his sins, for now he saw that all he had done was wrong. Though his legs and wings twitched on nerves, the eagle closed his eyes and allowed death to take him. His body grew still.

Filled up on the taste of blood, Shen bit down hard on the bone he could feel within his teeth; with a great swing oh his head Shen released his jaw on the bird's neck as he body was thrown right into the hassle of the battle. At the unexpected incoming of Hei Xin's body, blood Knights and ferals jumped back and the entire village went silent.

"It's over!" Shen shouted as he pushed himself up onto his. All eyes turned to him. "It. Is. Over!"

All of the commander's followers could not behold the sight of their leader to salvation dead and lying against the cold stone road, a gaping hole in his neck. The shock was so much that as they glanced from the lifeless Pure One to Shen all the ferals dropped their weapons in a chorus of clangs to the floor. One of them began to back away, then another and another. It wasn't long till all of the remaining ferals turned and ran from the battleground. As for those in the sky, the aerial version of Hei Xin's army had longed since been diminished. The eagles and other birds landed amongst their brethren.

Some Blood Knights moved to chase after the fleeing ferals.

"No! Leave them be." Husto barked. "What they've done here will haunt them for the rest of their lives. That is torture enough."

As the pack observed the cowardly retreat of the ferals, Fu, Shifu and the others all turned back to Shen. The rain had started to let up, coming now into a light drizzle yet continued to pour on. Yet for all that stayed in the market square, no one seemed to notice the figure hiding in the shadows.

As Shen watched the feral creatures left behind their weapons and lives, feeling off into the forest the feline took in a few deep breaths as he steadied his rapidly beating heart and soothed his mind. Soon all eyes turned back to him. And as Shen stared back to Jai, Fu and the rest of his friends, the black cat could not help but feel a smile snake its way onto his bloody muzzle.

The rain was starting to let up as the creeps of morning were on their way.

For reasons that no one could fathom, they all – both warriors and Pure Ones- started to catch Shen's smile and show grins of their own. Soon Shen's smirk opened up into a chuckle and then a full on laugh. Everyone did the same as they waited for the feline to walk over so they could congratulate him- it was infectious. Or maybe just madness, who cared?

Fu dropped the knives in her paws as she felt tears come to her glassy violet eyes. Jai and Leo shared a hug as the lioness let go of her sword so she could wrap both her arms around the big wolf. Husto came over and slapped his brother's back friendly-like. Po and Tigress held each other in their embraces. Shen looked to his wife lovingly, walking over to her as she started to run in his direction. Shen continued to laugh on.

He had done it! Hei Xin had been defeated and now the remains of his army were scattered, China was safe- heck! - the whole world was put at ease with what happened here in the village of Xi'an. But more importantly, Shen had survived his prophecy. He had outlived his dream and his death. He was victorious and nothing was sweeter. He could live the rest of his life with his family. He could watch Hao grow up and fall in love. He could grow old with Fu and sleep in her arms once more, endlessly. The Green-eyed wolf was wrong. It was not his time to die. Not here! Not now!

If only that was what really happened.

Between Shen and his family, between a nightmarish dream and freedom, between the past and the present, stepped reality. And, as the family and friends watched, horror woke in their minds. For out from behind of Shen, Chou-Hen's form took shape from the shadows and he thrust one of his blades straight through Shen's back through his heart and out by his chest. Chou-Hen growled darkly in his ear.

Fu's smile vanished from her muzzle and she felt a scream escape her mouth. All attention was drawn to her and then to Shen. More cries of disbelief and horror.

Shen's body jerked forward as he was held back by the wolf's thick arm curled around his neck. Blood spewed from his mouth and the pain only came in greater waves. Shifu felt a dark sense of déjà vu come over him and felt his heart start to die along with his son.

Chou-Hen let out his toothy smirk as he stared from Shen to the group and thrust the sword deeper into Shen's back. The feline was forced onto the tips of his toes. His arms and claws twitched as he tried to reach up to the blade. Husto and Leo pulled back their ears and growled menacingly at the feral. Chou-Hen saw their stares towards him and emphasised his kill by pushing the sword once more into Shen before yanking the blade free and letting go.

Instantly, with a gasp, Shen collapsed on the spot.

Everyone looked down to the feline.

No one could speak.

No one moved.

That was till Fu's voiced wailed out in an unimaginable banshee screech that cracked the frozen souls of all who had just bared witness to the horrendous sight like weakened ice.

"SHEN! The lynx visibly shook.

Chou-Hen chuckled as he looked up to the pack and turned on his heels, dropping his sword and running off into the mist of the falling rain. Leo and Husto were on his tail the minute he backed away from Shen.

Everyone ran to Shen's side. Fu was the first to get there, sinking into the pool of crimson blood that now formed around Shen's body. He was cold in her pads, very cold. His eyes fluttered groggily as the lynx took her husband's head in her lap and cradled him in her arms. His eyes had lost their feral colour and were now their old yellow hue, but even they were beginning to grow dim.

As the others gathered round and stared down on Fu as she called her lover's name in her hold, shouting and kissing his face so vividly, begging for him to get up that she did not see the light of life fade from his eyes. They went grey. A gentle breath escaped his lips. Fu caught wind of the sound and kissed Shen even firmer and prayed harder, it was no use.

Jing Shen was dead.