Chapter Two: Gongmen City and Fortunes

The boat stops at the docks, and you finally made it to Gongmen City. It's almost noon and you should get a move on to see your friend. She doesn't live far from here and you already know your way around the city. So finding out where she lives isn't a problem.

Passing through the docks and making your way into the city, you see many people walking and standing by. But something feels different. There's no smiles on their faces. There's no children running and playing in the streets. Everyone looks sad and or bothered by something. Did something bad happen around here?

When you finally reach Huan's home, you knock on the door. There's no answer. You knock on the door again, and just like that, there's no answer.

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Y/n: Huan? It's me. Are you home?

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Next thing you know, she opens the door and quickly pulls you inside the house by the arm. She immediately closes and locks the door.

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Y/n: Huan? What's going on?

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She then takes you by the hand and leads you to the living room. The windows are shut and there's dark colored curtains covering the windows, preventing anyone from looking in. You both sit down and she calms down.

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Y/n: Huan, what's going on? What happened?

Huan: You don't know?

Y/n: Know what?

Huan: Lord Shen took over Gongmen City. He killed Thundering Rhino and Masters Ox and Croc are in jail. He's ordered his wolves to take every pot, pan, and anything metal over to him. I don't know why he wants a lot of metal, but I know that the wolves are taking them by force. Now no one can't cook much of anything and there's not going to be a festival.

Y/n: God...

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You don't know who Lord Shen is, but by the looks of it, he seems pretty evil. What the Hell could he want with all that metal?

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Huan: A messenger was sent to the Dragon Warrior and the Furious Five yesterday. They should be coming here to help us. I just hope it's soon.

Y/n: Po's coming here? If a messenger was sent out yesterday, then they should be here today!

Huan: I hope so. Thankfully, the wolves haven't come here. I hid all of my pots and pans just in case, except for one to cook the rice.

Y/n: I wouldn't worry for long. I know Po, and I know that he and the Five are probably here right now, on their way to take down this Lord Shen.

Huan: That makes me feel a lot better. Now let me help you unpack. I know a good spot where we could go shopping without worrying about running into the wolves.

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...Meanwhile...

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After receiving the same telling of his future from years ago, Lord Shen angrily takes out one of his small blades from his robe and throws it at the porcelain bowl, thus destroying it. He blows away the fog with his tail before chuckling at Soothsayer.

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Lord Shen: That's impossible, and you know it.

Soothsayer: It is not impossible, and he knows it.

Lord Shen: Who?

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Then the leader of the wolves comes running up the stairs and yells that he's seen a panda.

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???: Lord Shen! I saw a panda.

Lord Shen: A panda?!

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Lord Shen then jumps at the wolf, pinning him on the ground with his claw at the wolf's throat. The tips of the sharp metal enhancements on his claw almost pierce the wolf's throat.

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???: A kung-fu warrior, he fought like a demon! Big and furry, soft and squishy. Kind of plush and cuddly.

Lord Shen: There are no more pandas.

Soothsayer: Even with his poor eyesight, he can see the truth. Why? Is it that you cannot?

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Lord Shen then looks back at the wolf and gives out an order.

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Lord Shen: Find this panda and bring him to me!

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Lord Shen practically throws the wolf out of the room as the wolf says yes sir to him before he runs off to find the panda. Lord Shen then looks back at Soothsayer, appearing calmer than just a few seconds ago.

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Lord Shen: One panda lives. That does not make you right.

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As he turns away from Soothsayer, his expression changes into anger again. He tries to play it off, but even Soothsayer knows that he's still pissed and worried.

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Soothsayer: You're right. Being right makes me right.

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Lord Shen stops and makes this statement to her.

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Lord Shen: Then I will kill him and make you wrong.

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He then walks towards the balcony of the tower, where he can oversee the entire city. The sun is still out shining bright and there's a gentle breeze that flows through his feathers. It does help calm him down, but he knows he's going to meet the panda pretty soon. But he reminds himself that it is the panda that will be at his mercy and it will be the panda's last day alive. This makes him calmer now.

And now, he can start thinking about the plans he has for the rest of China, and how he's going to change some things to his liking. But then... something else comes to his mind. Something possibly more important than just making plans for all of China. He's going to need someone by his side. A wife. But not just anyone, he wants a wife with whom he and she can admire each other for all eternity.

He turns around and sees Soothsayer close by. She knows what he's going to ask, but she's waiting for him to say it.

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Lord Shen: Tell me another fortune, Soothsayer. But this time, I want to know about the woman I shall marry. How can I find her?

Soothsayer: (Smiles) You've broken my bowl, remember?

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Lord Shen then orders one of his henchmen to fetch him another porcelain bowl. And pretty quickly, the henchman places the bowl in front of Soothsayer.

Lord Shen stands in front of her as she sits down and starts preparing her fortune ritual. But first things first. She looks at his hand and quickly plucks another one of his small feathers again, causing him to pull his hand back.

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Lord Shen: Will you stop that! Just why do you need my feathers?!

Soothsayer: It is necessary, as you will become a part of her and she will become a part of you. Though she's not here yet, I can work with just this.

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She then pours a special liquid into the bowl before she closes her eyes and chants a few words in an old foreign language. The liquid from the bowl goes from clear to a foggy white substance, and she opens her eyes to look into the bowl.

Lord Shen, still standing in front of her, takes a couple of steps forward. Intrigued to know about the woman already, all he can do right now is wait for Soothsayer to tell him.

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Soothsayer: The woman you are seeking is here in Gongmen City. She is beautiful, kind, and loyal. As soon as you see her, you will be certain that she is the one you are seeking. And soon your love for each other will grow and flourish.

Shen Lord: How do I find her? What must I do?

Soothsayer: She will come here on her own very soon. You do not have to do anything.

Shen Lord: (Smiles) That's good to hear.

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He's more than happy to hear that he will be meeting his soulmate and future wife. Very soon, as Soothsayer just said. He now knows that he must prepare some things before she gets here. He wants to make the perfect first impression for her. And everything around here must be perfect for them both.