Strong

The Helm Trap

"They're attacking on Helms mountains in the south," Shifu muttered as he moved down the corridor. "Why Sho's there is still to be determined."

"He's trying to lure Wolf out," Tigress said, looking back at the canine's frown. "We'll have to play this smart."

"I don't think that's a good idea," Po interjected. "Sho already knows we have the wolf and that we're protecting him. The only way we're going to do any damage to him is having Wolfie around."

"Not if Platon's there," Tigress argued.

"Hrm," Wolf grunted, signaling his favor with Tigress's argument.

Po sighed, "So what do we do?"

"For now, focus on taking out Sho and his bandits. Po and Wolf will take on Sho," Shifu said. "If Platon is there... be careful. I believe there's a good reason why Wolf allowed himself to stay imprisoned." The three nodded and joined up with the Furious Five.

The Helms mountains lay in thick clouds of misty fog. Their gray rock only adds to the confusing terrain, and the thick fog often disappeared and reappeared at weird intervals. The mountains laid squished together with broad flat peeks, rising or descending closer to the grass plains at its foot. The village laid on top of the peaks, scattered amid the fog, and as Po and the others traveled up the mountain, the silence disturbed them.

"Something's not right. We should be hearing something by now," Crane mentioned.

"That's because we're walking into a trap," Tigress answered. Wolf nodded. "Let's do this carefully before-"

"Look out!" Po pushed Tigress out of the way of a falling boulder from the top ledge. They looked up and saw the unmistakable silhouette of boars against the mist. "Yep, it's a trap."

"GRRRRR," Wolf growled as he charged up the mountain.

"WAIT!" Tigress shouted. "Ugh, he's so stubborn."

"Sound familiar?" Po smirked. The tiger glared. "Just saying."

"Come on!" Tigress ordered them up the mountain peak where a row of bandits ambushed them. Amid flaming houses and rocky pathways, the team charged through the horde of bandits, trying to get all the people they could to safety. But they couldn't find anyone.

"Where is everyone? Whoa!" Po ducked a swing from a boar's sword and rammed his fist into his skull. The boar flew into a wooden house. Curious, Po took a look inside.

There was nothing. Not the smallest whiff of food, clothes, or even perfume. In fact, the place looked like it was hastily swept clean. While the fighting continued, Po stepped into the house where the groaning boar lay. On the table, there was a note. "This village is under immediate evacuation due to disease by order of the Emperor and Councilman Platon. Please move all of your possessions to Bai Wenling where there is ample room for you." Po crinkled up the paper in his hand. "They forced the villagers out for this trap."

"Po!" Crane shouted. "We need help!" Po rushed outside and saw Crane, Mantis, and Monkey fighting off the bandits higher up the mountain. The panda charged his way through every stray boar he could find and finally got to the others.

"Where's Tigress?"

"She went with Wolf and Viper to fight Sho."

"What! Dang it! I've got to get there!" Po shouted, but a wall of bandits barred his way. He clenched his fists. "Get out of my way."

Meanwhile, as the mist tightly clung around the dog's nose, Tigress, Viper, and Wolf looked around on a flat empty rock top devoid of any houses. Sniffing around, Wolf's growl alerted the two, but they couldn't see where the big bear was.