Strength In Unity

Chapter 19: Saving Them

"That will be determined after this is all over. Now, we have to speak with the valley's residents."

There was a stir amongst the gatherers, various rumors and thoughts past throughout the onlookers as palace servants helped seat everyone in the Palace arena. Po's father Mr. Ping approached one of the servants as they passed by.

"Ahem, excuse me, would you mind telling me where I might find my son? I-" The goose was stopped by the servant raising his wing, "The dragon warrior will be out soon Mr. Ping, now please take your seat." He said with a rushed tone. The noodle chef sighed and took his place between several of his patrons. As the crowd settled the Grandmaster stepped out from the palace and down the steps followed by the furious five and the dragon warrior. There was a noticeable tension in the air as the mastered descended toward the valley, no one spoke a word as they marched down to the arena, knowing the difficulty in what they would ask of their people.

Master Shifu stopped at the top of the stage floor and turned his head to the left, watching as the five and the dragon warrior assembled beside him. Taking a heavy breath as he felt the eyes upon him, the grandmaster straightened his posture to address the townspeople.

"Citizens of the Valley, I know much has happened, we have come under attack from a force of no sound mind, a following that desires our very destruction." His weighted words dropped on the valley's ears as he bared the truth to them. "We have lost more than we may have in the raids of past aggressors and foes yet because of those who have sworn their lives to our safety, we are hurt as a village but we are not without repair. As the news of our situation has traveled, the Emperor is to oversee these villainous shadows never loom over another one of us again."

An echo of cheers sounded, however the Grand Master raised his hand to silence them.

"However, the council's arrival is a double edged sword. In this case once they've vanquished our enemy...They will seek out our newest residents, the wolves." As if on Que, the canines marched in through the large double doors behind the citizens, heading up alongside the furious five in three lines. Many watched as they entered, some still flinching slightly at the sight of them. Getting beside the Dragon Warrior and his teammates, the wolves stood silent, the smell of fear was present. One rabbit villager stood up,

"What are you saying? What will happen to them?"

"The emperor will most likely arrest and possibly execute them." Shifu said in an emotionless tone. Several shocked breaths were heard by the wolves, making their ear's perk up. The villagers were actually bothered by this? Carrying on the grand master got to the point.

"Citizens, we have to call upon you, we must ask that you aid us in this fight. Until their security is confirmed, we ask that you open your doors to them, each family is to take one of our house wolves in which both you and they will be kept safe." Barely finishing his sentence chatter was already in the air of the villagers. They looked at one another, somewhat taken back, a few glaring daggers at the members of the jade palace. Po could feel all the eyes on him and the furious five, this was going to be tougher than expected. As whispers to one another flowed through the crowd, several small families stepped forward and bowed before the grandmaster.

"It would be our honor to aid the Jade Palace, we haven't much room but we will take who we can." a swine in a green robe standing with his family. Shifu watched as one by one more groups came forward in offering. The wolves, standing in line watching all this felt deep surprise, although it sounded less than arrow proof, they could see this was the only way of keeping their tails safe from imperial judgement. As members of the valley began to open their arms to the wild dogs, several opposed spoke up.

"This is INSANE! How can you ask this of us! You want THEM to LIVE IN OUR HOMES!"

"I DON'T WANT THEM ANYWHERE NEAR US!"