Storm Clouds

°•| Tai Lung |•°

A massive prison, hewn from the icy heart of a towering mountain, looms ominously overhead. Its imposing facade, fifteen stories of cold iron and unyielding rock, casts a foreboding shadow over the desolate landscape. No windows pierce its fortress-like walls, and only one door stands as the gateway to its depths–locked, bolted, and sealed tight against any would-be escapees. Rhinoceros guards, clad in menacing armor, patrol the perimeter with unwavering vigilance, their eyes sharp as they scour the icy expanse for any sign of intruders.

Suddenly, Zeng burst into view, his frantic flight drawing the attention of a vigilant Rhino Sentry. With a graceless crash, he landed before the gate, his breathless urgency palpable as the rhinos level their spears in readiness.

"Wait, wait, wait! I bear a message from Master Shifu," Zeng squawked, the scroll clutched tightly in his feet. The tension ebbs slightly as the Rhino guards exchanged wary glances before begrudgingly opening the door with a resounding clang.

With trembling wings, the terrified goose ventured forth into the frigid depths of the prison, his heart pounding with a mixture of fear and trepidation.

Inside Commander Vachir stood at the helm of a gathered group of guards. Zeng stood trembling, his feathers ruffled with apprehension as he gave the formidable commander the scroll, watching with bated breath as he unfurled it.

The commander's voice boomed with accusation as he read aloud the damning words from the scroll.

"Double the guard?! Extra precautions?! Your prison may not be adequate!" Commander Vachir's voice reverberated through the stone chamber, a thunderous declaration that sent shivers down Zeng's spine.

Trembling in fear, Zeng found himself to be the center of attention of the gathered guards, their gaze piercing through him like icy daggers. With a swift motion, the Commander snapped the scroll shut.

"You doubt my prison's security?" Vachir demanded, his gaze piercing through Zeng with chilling intensity.

"Absolutely not. Shifu does. I'm just the messenger." Zeng stammered, his voice quivering with fear as he gulped nervously.

"I'll give you a message for your Master. Escape from Chorh-Gom Prison is impossible!" Vachir stated while leading Zeng across one of the many stone bridges that led to different areas of the prison.

"Whoa." Zeng murmured fearfully while looking over the bridge's edge. The cavernous prison goes down a long way. The commander hits the goose on the back.

"Impressive, isn't it?" Vachir asked as a feather from the goose drifts down the prison.

"Yes, very impressive. It's very impressive." Zeng whispered fearfully.

"One way in, one way out, one thousand guards, and one prisoner." Vachir continued as he guided Zeng through the prison.

"Yes, except that prisoner is Tai Lung..." Zeng murmured fearfully as the two reached the elevator and stepped onto the wooden platform.

"Take us down." Vachir ordered before several guard rhinos winch the goose and the commander down. The commander grabbed the chain and shook the elevator, scaring the goose as they made their descent.

"What are you doing?!" Zeng demanded as the Commander just laughed. The elevator finally landed with a thud, and the two stepped off before a series of doors unlocked one after the other. Finally, a drawbridge was lowered out onto an island.

"Oh my..." Zeng murmured once he catches sight of the hunched-over form of the large snow leopard, a tortoise-shell-shaped locking device strapped to his back with several acupuncture needles with decorative dragon-headed pins embedded into his back.