"There has always been a reason, reasons for people to do what they did. Whether it's good or evil that is for others to choose, but once you have a reason to move forward you must not turn back. Even when mistakes are made you can only learn and move on." – Natani Grey
A/N: I replaced one of the character' name to make it more fitting. an anonymous person notified me that i was using the name wrong so i updated a new name sorry for the false alarm
At the Lee da Kung Fu Academy
It's late in the after noon and the students were now starting to finish up their training routine. Some still had a few more exercises to finish while others are just trying to perfect their forms. Up in one of the academy's observation tower stood none other than Mei Ling, top student of the academy observing her peers. All day she could shake an uneasy feeling that something bad was coming. It's not those feelings that came and gone, this was different. Mei Ling felt her stomach turn and her instinct was always tense since morning. Her gazes turn towards the sun as it neared the horizon, praying that the day would end soon as to settle her nerves.
"GGHHAAYYY!" Mei Ling turn towards the source of the sound to find that one of her fellow students falling to the ground spilling his blood. Mei Ling jumped from the tower and rushed to the rhino whose now laying in a pool of his own blood. Once Mei Ling got there she noticed that there was a slash mark across the neck of the rhino. "Who did this?!" demanded Mei Ling but everyone just stared at her unable to answer. In truth no one knew what had happen, all they know was none of them was near him when he died.
"GGHHAAYYY?!" Mei Ling shot her head up again this time catching a swift shadow as another one of her students fell to the ground dead. "Everyone get ready someone is here!" she yelled as everyone knew then that this attacker, who ever they are, is different. They got past the front guards and killed two students without anyone seeing whom they are. "Show yourself you coward and face us!" Mei Ling screamed out as each student was watching each other's back. "Hhhmmm, that does sound tempting but there is business that needs to be done and this is much quicker." A voice came out of nowhere, "GGHHAAAYY!" another student fell down dead. "Coward, why are you attacking us what have we done to deserve such fate what have they done?!" Mei Ling directed towards the three rhino corpses that lay in their own blood. "Nothing, they have done nothing what so ever. But their deaths were necessary for the greater good." That voice was now ringing throughout the training grounds and Mei Ling was having a hard time finding out where they are.
"Greater good?! What good can come from pointless slaughter of people, you yourself said that they did nothing wrong so what makes you kill them?!" Mei Ling screamed out but this time there was something different. Mei Lings instinct were going crazy telling her to run to higher grounds and tell the others to do the same but if they move their encirclement will break and more might die. Then out of the shadows came a lone figure. The figure was that of a black panther with white slacks and a deep blue vest. His eyes bore into Mei Lings; golden eyes that of a predator. He bared only one weapon, a black sword with a deep blue hamon (the hamon is he discoloration at the blade's edge) As Mei Ling gaze at the sword it was as though the blade itself was alive calling it's master to use it and kill everyone, she could hear the screams and cries from all the victims.
When the panther spoke his voice was calm and kind, Mei Ling could even sense a slight sadness to them. "I killed them because they will kill, in this world I must protect its people." The panther raised his arm; Mei Ling was having a hard time diverting her gaze from the sword. It called to her as though a demon would tempt people to commit sins and crimes. "You kill protectors to protect? What nonsense is this?" Mei Ling is now getting weak, as though the panther and sword was draining her energy. "You people can never understand what danger you have created for the people, as long as there are protects there shall be those criminals. And what will happen if you not there when someone needs protecting?" the panther took and stance, one that Mei Ling was not familiar with. "This is Èmó de xuè and with it I shall burn this world and create paradise from its ashes, like a Phoenix reborn the new world shall be better at peace. Oh…so sorry where are my manners," the panther pointed and stood straight, "My name is Sǐwáng de Wángzǐ and I'm here to reap your souls" with that Sǐwáng charged at the group of student and their leader.
It all ended in less then ten minutes with every student now laying dead or unconscious on the ground bleeding. The only one left was Mei Ling and Sǐwáng; Mei Ling was cut in several places including a deep gash on her left arm, which was now unable to move either from a muscle being cut or because it was in so much pain. Sǐwáng on the other hand was still standing not a single scratch on him and was not even breathing hard. This only annoyed Mei Ling that much more. How could one being take on a whole school of Kung Fu Students and not even be touched. A low growl could be heard from the mountain cat as she entered her stance once again. "Tell me what makes you fight so hard little one?" again with that smooth but gentle voice, it doesn't belong to a person like him though Mei.
"My name is Mei Ling prized student of this academy and you will stop you from doing such acts like this ever again." Mei Ling was barely able to keep her stance and her vision was blurring.
"Don't worry I will make it quick, I might be cleansing the world of you people but I'm still a protector so I will respect your endurance and making it this far. It's over." Sǐwáng charged at Mei Ling until a white and blue blur kicked the panther, Sǐwáng blocked it with his katana. Sǐwáng jumped back and as soon as he did the blur grabbed Mei Ling and ran for it.
Jade Palace at the Peach Tree of Heavenly Wisdom
It was early in the morning; the sun had barely come up past the horizon. At the Peach tree a Panda sitting in a perfect lotus position meditating. Reflecting on recent events with finding out his past and accepting his father as Mr. Ping. Po, the Dragon Warrior, is now at peace but one thing still remained on his mind as he pondered on the thought in detail.
Shen is gone but what he did can never be fixed. Guess I have to accept that now…but that's okay, Shen may have taken my parents but…I still have people that I can call family. No one can ever replace my parents… but there are those who can help fill a hole…Dad, Master Shifu, Crane, Viper, Monkey, Mantis and… Tigress.
At the thought of tigress Po reflected on how worried he was when she took that hit from Shen on the boat. Po had never seen her so defeated; he wasn't strong enough to protect his family…to protect Tigress.
I need to be stronger not only to protect the people, not only for my family…but also…Tigress. I can't stand for her to be hurt like that ever again. I need to get Stronger so I can protect her not only when she needs it but every time. I want to protect her heart from any more pain. I will endure that pain for her it if have to…because…I care deeply for her.
"Po, are you okay?" Po opened his eyes to find master Tigress staring at him, eyes full of concern. "I'm fine…so…why are you up so early?" Po questioned as he turned his head back to the rising sun. "I could ask you the same question…panda," countered tigress but in a calm and playful voice. Since Po has arrived at the Jade Palace nothing has been the same. The palace was no longer so strict and focused on Kung Fu as with Master Shifu, he has been gentler and calmer about situations. "So tell me what ails the Dragon Warrior so that he can't rest for todays training?" Po turned his head and saw Tigress smiling down at him, scooting over and patting the ground next to him. Inviting Tigress to join him so he can explain.
"Tigress, what's the difference between a hero and villain?" Tigress gave a confused look as Po tried to go deeper into detail. "What I mean is, what is it that makes a hero a hero and why makes a villain one?" starting to understand what the panda had meant she too turned her gaze towards the rising sun. "There is only a small line that divides heroes from villains. Both of them fight for something, either good or bad and both have the power to change the outcome. But what makes a Hero different from a villain is this," Tigress pointed towards Po in the chest. "A hero always protects the ones he cares for and cherishes." Tigress stated with a smile.
GGOONNNGGG!
Both Tigress and Po had lost track of time and they now realize they were late for the gong. "RUN!" Tigress yelled as the both of them sprinted towards the barracks.
Back at the Students Barracks just before the Morning's Gong.
Master Shifu was standing at the entrance of the student's barracks waiting for the gong to ring to signal a new day.
GGOONNNGGG!
Four students rushed out to greet their master, "Good morning master!" each of these students at full attention wait for their master sets of instruction when it dawned on them that Po and Tigress where missing. It was normal for Po to be late but Tigress too, she has never been late before, ever! "Crane, go wake up Po I will take care of Tigress." Shifu said in a stern voice.
"Ooohhhhh…someone's gonna get it," Mantis motioned towards Tigress room, deciding to ignore that comment Shifu reached for the door and pushed back, hard. Only to find the room empty, "Master, Po's room is empty also, where could they be?" suddenly panting could be heard as both Tigress and Po was standing at the entrance panting, mainly Po. "Sorry master that we are late." Tigress bowed to her master. "Tell me why are you late!" demanded Shifu, Tigress was a lost for words until Po spoke up for her.
"I'm sorry master but it's our fault, I was training with some equipment and got stuck again." Po too bowed and snickers could be heard from both Mantis and Monkey. "I see, that would explains a lot. Panda, as punishment after your training you are to clean the Hall of Hero's without breaking the Urn of a thousand souls…again." Snickers could once again be heard and Tigress looked up to find Monkey and Mantis. If looks could kill they would be dead long ago with the glare that Tigress was shooting.
"Hhhhmmmmmm…Yes master." Answered a very sad panda. Tigress felt bad that Po had to take the blow for her. It wasn't his fault for them being late it was as much her as his, she needed to make it up to him. "Alright now that this problem is dealt with let us continue to breakfast than training." Master Shifu made his way out the barracks followed by the four. "Why did you do that?" Tigress face was emotionless, but Po could see the gratitude and slight sadness in her eyes, those amber eyes that he could stare at forever. Snapping back to reality when he realizes he was staring he stuttered out, "W-well y-you see, I-I didn't w-want you to g-get i-in any t-trouble…s-so…yeah." Po was blushing madly and his white fur didn't help it either.
"Alright, thank you Po." Tigress gave Po a hug again, this time he was able to hug back.
The rest of the day went pretty smoothly. The five trained with the Dragon Warrior and Po was able to clean the Hall of Heroes without breaking anything this time. It was not near sun set and the masters were all gathered at the table as Po was beginning to prepare their dinner. They all were having small talk until.
"Greetings Furious five and Dragon Warrior." Came a voice out of nowhere. Everyone in the room got into their stance and prepared for the intruder. "Who are you? Come out and face us coward!" Demanded Tigress. Master Shifu has called it a night and already went to bed so it was only the six of them. "Ssshhhh… you will wake you master if you yell like that, I come in peace with bad news," The voice was rough but it rang throughout the kitchen room. "How do you know about our master? You said you come peacefully then come on out and show whom you are. "I will but you need to promise me that what ever you see when I do come out, let me explain what's going on first" Tigress was debating this over in her head and thought about how this person knew that their master was asleep, if he wanted to do us harm them he would have took their master hostage.
"Very well," Tigress stated but was still in her stance prepared for the worst. Out of the entrance of the kitchen walked a snow leopard with black slacks, a deep blue vest and a white sash wrapped around his waistline. In the sash was an eerie katana. Though what caught the groups attention most was that he was carrying someone on his back and they were bleeding onto him. "Help her, she needs medical attention." The leopard set the person on top of the table and to everyone's surprise it was Mei Ling. "Mei! Mei wake up…Mei! What have you done to her?!" demanded Crane as he refused to leave the mountain cat's side. "Like I said I will explain everything to you but you need to help her first," since the leopard was closer Tigress was able to make out two distinct feature about him. He had an electric blue right eye and a golden left. With a deep scar running about four inches down his right blue eye.
"Mantis get you acupuncture kit and Viper get the palace healer, Po get some clean rags and warm water we got to tend her wounds now while we wait for the others." Ordered Tigress as everyone sprinted into action leaving only Crane, Mei Ling herself and the leopard. Crane remained by the felines side holding her paw praying that she would make it out alive and what has happened to result in his best friend to be in a state like this.
Okay so tell me what you think of the first chapter, I do need to apologize for any misuse of Chinese words. I had to use an online translator, which may prove to be unreliable but here was what I intended below.
Èmó de xuè – Demon's Blood
Sǐwáng – Death or End
Please rate and review as this can only strengthen my ability to create great stories for you, my wonderful reader. Until then I shall wait patiently for your replies…
A/N: I replaced one of the character' name to make it more fitting. an anonymous person notified me that i was using the name wrong so i updated a new name sorry for the false alarm