Chapter 1
The Battle of Gongmen City had ended, and China was once again saved thanks to Po, the Dragon Warrior and The Masters of the Jade Palace. After leaving Gongmen city in the stewardship of Legendary Kung Fu Masters Croc and Ox, the warriors left Gongmen city to return home to the Jade Palace in the Valley of Peace.
Upon reaching their village Po bid his friends and master good night and was about to head over to his dad's restaurant in the center of town. "Very well Po, We will see you first thing in the morning for Training" said Master Shifu. "Thank you Master, Guys." As Po bowed to his friends and Master and turned to run over to his dads. "He sure is in a hurry." said Mantis. "Yes well it has been some time I suppose since they had last seen each other." stated the old master. "It is refreshing to see that he has that much love for the man who raised him." "Yeah especially now" replied Monkey. "What do you mean?" asked Shifu. His students exchanged looks with each other. "Master…" started Tigress. "We don't have all of the details, but something happened to Po in Gongmen city."
As the masters headed to the palace Tigress recounted the events leading up to the final battle against Lord Shen. How Po had frozen up when the wolves attacked the musicians village and again when they first encountered Lord Shen. How they left Po behind in the city jail and how Po confronted Shen in the cannon factory seeking answers about his past. How Po was shot with the cannon and flown into the river. And how the five were taken prisoner and how Po returned to save the Five and confront Shen with a newfound strength.
As Tigress finished her tale the masters had reached the top of the 1000 steps. "So Po lost his family to Lord Shen and his wolves?" asked Shifu. "Yes Master" confirmed Tigress. "And yet he was still able achieve inner peace?" asked Master Shifu, but more to himself than anyone else. "I had no Idea. I must speak with Po when he returns to the palace tomorrow."
And with that Shifu bid the Five good-night and retired to his chambers. Everyone else decided they would turn in for the night as well stopping in the kitchen for a few snacks then they all went off to their own rooms for the night. Tigress laid on her bedroll staring up at the ceiling remembering Po's last stand against Shen. How he had swam over to her to check if she was okay after taking that cannon blast for him. How he had grabbed her paw and stared at her amber eyes with his jade green ones asking her why she took the shot for him. She wanted to say something to him then but that shot took everything out of her. She saw him glare at Shen; the anger in his eyes was so fierce. And as Po pushed her away she wanted him to stay with her at first but after thinking about it now she was not necessarily glad he faced Shen alone, but thinking back, maybe that had something to do with him achieving inner peace?
"That anger in his eyes back then…" Tigress thought. She knew Po cared for each member of the Furious Five and of course Master Shifu too. But there was something else there. Almost like he was highly enraged with the fact SHE got hurt. *hmph* Tigress huffed. "I am Tigress, The strongest and most hard core of the Furious Five…"she thought. She could take anything an enemy could throw at her and more. She knew Po knew this. But still it was nice to know that someone cared about her wellbeing. "I wonder if this means Po thinks of me as a bit more than just a friend or comrade….." Tigress wondered aloud…"Maybe…" she said to herself… and with that she closed her eyes and drifted into sleep, with a slight smile on her face.