Long time, no see, everyone! Due to a bit of a security issue with my previous account, I was forced to make an unannounced disappearance. Same me, same story, new name. I'll finish this story as promised, and move to a couple that I have outlined. Sorry about the vanishing act, and look for more to come!


The evening was cool. A breeze blew lightly across Shifu's fur, and he felt an immense calm. He sat meditating under the Peach Tree of Heavenly Wisdom. Could it really have been two years since Master Oogway passed? Shifu had been coming to this tree more and more recently. Although there had been considerably less trouble since the fall of Lord Shen nearly a year ago, the red panda felt that there was still a great threat out there, waiting to strike. But tonight, he was calm. He only then realized that he had been gone for a number of hours. Best make sure that Po hasn't destroyed the kitchen trying to reach the cookie jar.

Shifu gathered himself and began the short walk back to the Jade Palace. The wary master entered the student barracks and breathed a sigh of relief when he found little out of place. It appeared that the Dragon Warrior had prepared a meal for his fellow students, and naturally "forgot" to clean up the mess. Though I'll gladly accept this over what happened last week. Po and Monkey had a bit of a falling out over who would get the last piece of the cake Po had baked earlier that day. After a brief, impromptu "sparring match", Monkey enjoyed his prize. The real loser was this room, Shifu thought to himself with a small smile.

He made his way the student's quarters, and found the hall quiet. The only sounds that he could make out were Crane and Viper conversing quietly. It was a wonder that he managed to hear that, considering the snores coming from Po's room that seemed to shake the entire building. Shifu left satisfied. Perhaps I should visit the Moon Pool. I may find the source of my unrest.

As it happened, the source of Shifu's unrest found him as he neared the doors to the Hall of Warriors. He was greeted by Zeng's perpetually panicked voice.

"Master Shifu!"

Shifu sighed in spite of himself. "Yes Zeng, what is it?"

"We have just received an urgent message from a village near here! There have been several bandit raids in the last months, and they fear that the bandits will come for them soon! They are asking the masters of the Jade Palace to remove the threat from the area!"

Shifu was suddenly alert. "Zeng, you must calm down, immediately! What else does the scroll say?" he demanded, his relaxed state quickly deteriorating.

"Very little Master Shifu, only that the village is located near the coast a few miles north of the Valley of Peace." Zeng replied, in a tone that might be mistaken for calm.

"Very well, I will rouse the students. This threat will be dealt with soon enough." Shifu replied, turning back to the barracks.

Tigress woke with a start at the sound of her master's voice. She could tell without even looking around that it was early; she made a point to be awake long before greeting her father at dawn. Shifu rarely woke his students in the middle of the night unless there was a situation that required their immediate attention. She quickly stood and opened the door to the hall. The others soon followed, Po trailing the pack. Naturally, she thought to herself. She had become quite close to the panda over the past two years, after she accepted that he wasn't likely to go anywhere. In spite of that, she didn't think that she would ever grow used to Po's constant tardiness. Shifu broke up her drowsy thoughts.

"Students. My apologies for waking you, but there is trouble that cannot wait until the morning. There has been bandit activity a few miles north up the coast, and we have received a scroll asking for the assistance of the Palace. Master Tigress, Master Crane, Master Monkey, I would like the three of you to prepare supplies for two weeks. Be prepared to leave in one hour. The rest of you will stay in case of trouble while these three are away. That will be all."

With that, Shifu left the barracks. The students said quick goodbyes, and they went their separate ways. Tigress, Monkey, and Crane wasted no time preparing for their journey, while the remaining three wasted no time getting back to their bedrolls. The three travelers met in the courtyard after their hour to prepare was nearly up. They each checked the bags of the others, ensuring that nothing would be left behind. They worked in silence, all preparing themselves for whatever may lay ahead. Tigress looked to the moon, and estimated that they had nearly four hours to move until the sun broke the horizon. Content with each other's supplies, they turned to the staircase that lead to the valley.

They took their first steps with a feeling of optimism. They were clearly unaware as to what lay ahead.

As dawn broke, the warriors entered the village in need. The streets were all but empty, as the villagers confined themselves to the relative safety of their homes.

Monkey was the first to speak since they left the palace. "This place looks deserted. What could these bandits have done to other villages to make the people here live in this much fear?"

"Let's just find whoever is in charge here. Hopefully they can provide some answers, maybe even a lead on this group", Tigress replied.

They soon came upon what appeared to be the largest home in the village. "That should be where we find the chief", Crane offered. Tigress knocked on the wooden door and waited for a response. Moments later, an elderly owl opened the door with a sigh of relief.

"Oh Masters, thank the gods you have come! Please, come inside. There is much we need to discuss." The warriors followed the owl into his living area and sat. "My name is Ming, and I lead this village. I sent for your help because I fear that we are in grave danger. About three weeks ago, another village to the east of us was ransacked by a group of bandits. A week later, another village fell to what I can only assume was the same group. Last week, our neighboring village was burned to ashes. We need your help to locate these monsters, before they reach us!"

The room was silent for a moment. Tigress was the first to speak up, "Do you know anything about these bandits, where they might be located?"

The owl shifted uncomfortably in his seat, "I'm afraid not. I do know that they are staying on a large ship, and that they've only attacked villages near the coast. The last village to be raided was located only about three miles north of here. If I were to guess, they are still near there."

"Thank you Ming. Don't worry, we'll ensure that no harm finds these villagers," Crane promised, "Can we find you here if we have other questions?"

Ming stood and replied, "Yes, yes, of course. Anytime, day or night. And thank you masters, I feel that we are much safer with you among us."

Ming led the warriors outside, and all three of their jaws dropped a bit. The village was bustling, vendors were selling wares, friends were chatting, children playing. Monkey was the first to recover from the shock, "This place could have been deserted not ten minutes ago."

"Yes," Crane said, still in awe, "maybe we should move a bit before we decide what the plan is." The others agreed, and also agreed that it was time for a meal. Tigress walked up to a vender and bought a few fruits, along with a small loaf of bread. The villagers gaped as the famed warriors walked outside the small town, and sat down to enjoy their breakfast.

"Do we really bring that much of a sense of security to people," Monkey asked, "because I don't think I've seen anything like that."

"These people were desperate for help, and we've made a name for ourselves providing it," Tigress replied, "it's little wonder that they're more comfortable with us here."

Crane broke into the conversation, "Yes, speaking of helping these people. What are we planning to do about these criminals?"

"Well, our only lead is that they were a couple miles north of here a week ago. Crane, I think it would be best if you flew ahead to the coast near the last town that Ming mentioned. Monkey and I will wait here in case any trouble finds this village. Come back here if you find anything suspicious." Everyone nodded in agreement, and Crane took off north, while the others walked back into the village.

Hours passed until Crane finally returned to his companions, visibly shaken. "I've found something."