The Elephant in the Room.

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Meanwhile, at The Chameleon's fortress. In front of the main entrance, four mob bosses were seated at a long table as they were given tea served in miniature cups on a tiny platter. Something that would be the right size for someone very tiny themselves.

Each of them wore a golden brooch, which had four curved angles going inward, along with some extra detailed designs inscribed into it. They were waiting for their associate, the fifth mob boss, to arrive and in the meantime, they started chatting.

"She better have a good reason for dragging us all the way up here." The bear spoke, who had a deep and long scar running across his right eye.

"I hope that for her. Ever since she stopped the war and got in charge, we've lost almost everything we worked for, not to mention these scandalous tributes have only doubled and we barely get half of it back." The badger nodded, inspecting his tiny tea cup.

"It's like none of us can't make an honest living anymore." The wolf nodded as she replaced the small tray in front of her a bit more aligned. The boar simply snorted.

"I was already growing tired of going to these meetings anyway. Does she think I haven't got any clients of my own to deal with? I can't keep canceling them, especially after losing all my "voluntary" little ankle-biters from downtown!"

"Almost all of us have lost our free workers." The bear nodded. "Is that latecomer planning on coming today or do we really need to-..."

"My apologies, dear friends! Took me a while, but I'm present at last."

The bear got interrupted by their croc comrade making his way up the stairs and took a seat. Thinking nothing of it and rather letting their irritation sink away, the bear said.

"To think I believed all the power in this city would shift to us the day that ol' windbag finally conked out. I thought we'd run this city. We! Now we pay her half the money we swindle after turning us into insignificant slaves and making us walk around like we're one of those lowlifes. And what's worse is that we've all been conned by not just anyone, just some bug-eyed, power-hungry reptilian runt!"

"You left out the evil sorceress part. Although if it weren't for her after Shu Hui's sudden passing, The Underground would've overthrown us right after she finally put a stop to that dreadful war and we'd still think gambling was any more luxurious than this. Eh? Right?" The croc tried lighting up the mood, but his attempt was futile.

"During our time of need, those people only thought of themselves and kept those crystals to themselves, knowing they were our only chance of restoring order." The boar spoke up.

"Good thing we still got 'em, huh, friends?" The croc replied, snickering smugly. "Although we literally had to rob 'em all blind for it. They asked for it."

"Speaking of which, you sent multiple letters to The Chameleon telling her you'd permanently revoke your "alliance" with her." The badger said. "I'm guessing it didn't go well, since you're still here."

"Please! It's not that bad." The croc chuckled.

"You became half blind a decade ago after getting involved with those mud folks down there. And even then she allowed you protection money and everything else, so what's the real deal here?!" The wolf interrogated with a snarl.

"To her, it doesn't matter that our other 10 connections and their families have gotten killed off by that... demon, because she always would've done it herself!" The boar harshly reminded the croc. "She always saw most of us as "easily disposable", as well as you!"

The bear hummed and then told them.

"Together, we can take her down."

Hearing that made the crime bosses gasp and scan the room, afraid of getting caught saying it or have the one think that they were already in on something. The croc snapped.

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