The group awoke early, their senses sharp as they prepared for another day of navigating Gongmen City's treacherous streets. The tea house they'd chosen as their base was humble but well-hidden, perfect for staying out of sight. Po called the team together, his tone serious.
"Alright, today's focus is Shen," Po said, glancing around the table. "We need to find out where he is, what he's doing, and how we can either lure him out or corner him."
"I'll check the palace," Tigress offered. "If Shen is in control of Gongmen City, he's likely taken up residence there."
"I'll scout the docks again," Tai Lung said. "If he's building weapons, he might visit to oversee shipments."
Po nodded. "Good. Monkey and Crane, stick to the markets. People talk, and we might get a lead. Viper and I will check the warehouses. If there's anything Shen doesn't want us to see, it's there."
With the plan set, the team dispersed, each heading into the labyrinthine city with a singular focus: Shen.
Tigress moved like a shadow, scaling the walls of the palace with silent precision. From her perch atop a stone ledge, she peered into the grand courtyard below. The area was bustling with activity—guards patrolling, servants scurrying about—but Shen was nowhere to be seen.
She eavesdropped on a pair of guards stationed near the entrance.
"Lord Shen has been in the workshop all night," one said. "I hear the new cannon is almost ready."
"Good," the other replied. "The sooner it's finished, the sooner we can crush anyone who opposes him."
Tigress's ears twitched. Workshop? She needed to relay this to the others.
Tai Lung prowled the docks, his sharp eyes taking in every detail. The wolves were busy unloading crates again, but this time, he noticed something different. A sleek, black ship with Shen's emblem—a red peacock feather—was docked nearby.
Two wolves stood guard near the ship's gangplank, their weapons drawn. Tai Lung crept closer, listening.
"Lord Shen is meeting with the engineers tonight," one wolf said. "They're finalizing the design for the—"
"Quiet," the other snapped. "You never know who's listening."
Tai Lung smirked. Too late for that.
Monkey and Crane wandered the market, blending in with the crowd. Monkey, always the charmer, struck up conversations with the merchants while Crane kept watch for anything unusual.
"So, how are things under Shen's rule?" Monkey asked a spice vendor.
The vendor hesitated, glancing around nervously. "Keep your voice down. If the wolves hear you..."
"That bad, huh?" Monkey pressed.
The vendor leaned in. "They say Shen's been working on something... a weapon so powerful it could destroy entire armies. He's holed up in his workshop day and night."
"Where's this workshop?" Monkey asked casually.
The vendor shook his head. "No one knows exactly. It's heavily guarded, somewhere in the industrial district."
Monkey exchanged a glance with Crane. "Thanks for the tip," he said, slipping the vendor a coin.
Po and Viper entered the industrial district under the cover of dusk, weaving between towering stacks of crates and barrels. The warehouses loomed ominously, their windows glowing faintly with light.
They reached a massive structure guarded by wolves. Po motioned for Viper to stay low as he crept closer, his large frame surprisingly quiet.
From within, he heard Shen's unmistakable voice.
"Double the production. We're running out of time," Shen ordered. "And make sure the cannon is ready for tomorrow's test."
"Yes, Lord Shen," a wolf replied.
Po's eyes narrowed. Tomorrow's test? He needed to stop that test.
Back at the tea house, the team shared their findings.
"Shen has a workshop," Tigress began. "It's heavily guarded, and they're building something big."
"I overheard the same at the docks," Tai Lung added. "A new cannon. Shen's ship is docked nearby, too."
"The market confirmed it," Monkey said. "Shen's working on a weapon, but no one knows the exact location of his workshop."
"Not true," Po interjected. "I found it in the industrial district. He's testing the weapon tomorrow."
The room fell silent as the weight of the situation sank in.
"We have a chance to stop the test," Viper said. "If we can sabotage the weapon—"
"Or take Shen by surprise," Tai Lung interrupted. "We might be able to end this before it escalates."
Po considered their options, his mind racing. "We'll split up. Half of us will scout the workshop tonight, the other half will keep an eye on Shen's ship. If we're lucky, we might catch him off guard."
The team nodded, their resolve unshaken. The game of cat and mouse with Shen had begun, and the stakes couldn't be higher.
AN: If you enjoyed this chapter, please make sure to drop some Powerstones, thanks!