Dead Shot Duck

The Former Storyteller

They trekked through the tunnel. Po immediately noticed something as they entered the circular room filled with weapons and shelves of weapons. "Hey! This place is just like your hideout under your house." Zeng nodded. "Why did you design it the same way?"

"If it ain't broke," Zeng replied. "This was the second safehouse I made."

"So you made this place to hide if someone figured out you were Dead Shot Duck?" Po asked.

"No Po, this is where I come to do deep breathing," Zeng with impressive seriousness.

"Hmph, no need to be a jerk," Po huffed, though he noticed Tigress stifled a laugh. 

"Sorry," The goose smiled, "Force of habit. It's been a while since I could be myself."

"Yeeaah, that's been something else I wanted to ask," Po said. "Why the personality change? I mean, it's not like anyone was going to figure out you were Dead Shot Duck just from seeing you."

"The nervous bit is just something to throw off suspicion," Zeng explained. "People's expectations of others prevent them from seeing what's really in front of them. Sound familiar?"

Po and Zeng instantly looked at Tigress. She rose her eyebrow. "What?"

"Oh uhhh nothing, nothing," Po whistled innocently while Zeng began inspecting the weapons. "Soooo why Dead Shot Duck?"

"Hm?"

"It's just... you're a goose."

Zeng shrugged, "It's a nice nickname? Besides, with the number of people mistaking me for a duck or goose without the mask, it doesn't really matter in the end. You get used to it."

"Soooo uh... what's the plan now?"

"Hm?" Zeng tilted his head.

"I mean, it's only a matter of time before the Deadly Generals figure out who you are. What's your plan?" Po asked.

"Since when are you interested in plans? You usually the go-with-the-flow person."

"Yeah, but that doesn't mean I don't want other people to have a plan. Like Tigress," Po pointed, "If she doesn't have a plan, how will I know when to ignore her?"

"Excuse me?" Tigress grunted.

"My question is," Po quickly recovered, "what is the end goal here?"

Dead Shot took a deep breath and looked at the map scattered on the table. "I have to find them first. If I have a plan, I can't tell you for your own safety."

"It doesn't involve killing us, right?"

"Po, you're more likely to kill someone by accidentally rolling over on them in your sleep. I should know, I've been the victim," Zeng gruffly said.

"I said I was sorry!"

"Sorry, doesn't pay the healer's bill."

"Hmph, you know I think I liked you better as Zeng."

"A lot of people do," Zeng muttered. Then he glanced at Tigress. She stood with her arms crossed, glaring into the goose's soul, yet her glare didn't match her silence. She moved around too much, pursing her lips and shifting her weight from side to side as if she couldn't sit still. Her arms hugged her more. Was she scared or trying her best not to strangle Zeng? "You've been quiet."

She stayed quiet, silently contemplating between voice and stillness. The thick tension was enough to make Po choke. Another long moment passed in silence before she finally asked, "Who are you?"

Zeng sighed, "Look, I get it. More than anyone else I know that you have a hard time trusting anyone. And now your old storyteller is one of the most wanted people in the world. But this is why I didn't tell you. Because of how much it hurts, physically and emotionally." He looked straight at her. "But I also know that you're... not always the most curious about a person beyond the surface."