Strength In Unity

Chapter 11: The Troubles We Face Ahead

The dragon warrior could barely contain himself while also trying to keep from hurting his shoulder further as he sat at the large circular table in the main hall with the large group of masters and wolves eating side by side. The panda watched in silent amusement as Kirscher's wolves attempted to be polite at the table, one letting out a belch while getting glares from around the table causing him to utter a small apology.

To the furious five, it was actually comforting, while they were used to eating with just each other, the added faces took the attention off themselves. Master Shifu sat contently beside Tyan and his uncle occasionally looking over to see how everyone was enjoying the meal, according to the large and rather unnecessary slurps there seemed to not be a complaint to be heard. Once they'd had their fill, the canines stood and excused themselves from the table, leaving the five and Po with their Grand Master.

Shifu stirred what remained of his soup and drummed his fingers on the table lightly, his mind seemingly all over the place. Tigress looked up from her bowl,

"Master, is everything alright?" With a small shake of his head, the grandmaster disagreed.

"The meal is great as always, apologies Po my thoughts are on who is currently being detained in the basement." Po smiled and gave an understanding nod.

"It's alright master, I'm just as eager to find out who the heck these guys are too!" He said with excitement in his voice. The five nodded in agreement, their master rising from the table and taking his plate.

"Then let us wait no longer."

Down the dimly lit passageway underneath the main hall of the Jade Palace the guardians of the valley passed through silently. Torches blazing along the brick walls, guiding them through the darkness. Though he wouldn't admit it aloud, Po felt uncomfortable being down in this part of the palace, it felt as though all that was bright and illuminating was being slowly smothered out, leaving only the dark and what evil lay within it.

"AIE!" The dragon warrior suddenly shrieked, causing everyone to turn around and look at him.

"What is it?" Tigress asked.

"Sorry Po, Just didn't wanna get stepped on down here." Replied Viper as she coiled up on the bear's shoulder, Po sighed in relief and patted Viper on the side.

"It's cool just uh warn me when ya do that." He said with a small chuckle, earning a groan from their master as they pressed on. Pushing open the large bolted doors, the five looked entered the holding cell area, Shifu waited until everyone was inside before closing the doors behind them. None of the torches inside the room had been lit, Tigress gave a silent thanks to the Gods that she was able to see in the dark, moving over to the wall, she struck a match and ignited the lantern hanging from the ceiling.

The room was large, several cells lined beside each other, each cell the size of the five's personal bedrooms, cold dark and damp. A chill crawled up the Grand Master's spine as he stood in the jail and looked around. In the middle cell lay the white robed leopard, currently crying as she lay on her side away facing away from everyone. Shifu came up to the gate and unlocked the door.

"Cease your crying." He said, walking up to the girl, as he came closer the red panda noticed she was visibly shaking, he tilted his head slightly and came up beside her, Tigress tensing up as he got closer to the leopard, bracing for anything unexpected.

"Look at me." Shifu commanded. The leopard didn't dare move, instead her body shivered more intensely. He turned his head to the left and the master's eyes widened.

Lying on his cell floor motionless was the pig the wolves had captured.

Dead.

Shifu stood up immediately, walking over to the elk guard.