The idea for this story came about from a conversation I was having over on the forums a long time ago about potential sequels. A lot has changed from the original idea, but a lot also stayed the same as well. Cool, huh? Anyway, without further nonsense, on with the story.

Chapter1

The wolf was marked as an outside from the first moment he stepped into the Valley, even before it was discovered he was a wolf. Firstly, it was his apparel. A long coat stretching a little before his toes, with the collar up turned, hiding some of his lower face. What fur was exposed, on his crown or paws, was shown to be a rusty brown along with a white eye in the left socket and a blue eye in the right. Hands were clawed and ears were pointed, giving him a slight resemblance to Master Tigress, so at first some thought he was a fellow tiger. He was a little taller than the cat master as well, so he towered over the mostly pig population of the valley. A sword, long as a forearm and thin as a dragon's tooth, resided on his belt. Even with a passing glance the blacksmith could tell it was a marvelous weapon.

By now he had gathered a group of curious on lookers. Most kept their distance, save a youth who kicked a ball that bounced and landed in the stranger's path. The youth scurried forth, just as the wolf bent to pick the ball up. He passed it to the youth, patted the piglet's head, and continued on his way. When it was discovered that the stranger's destination was the noodle restaurant, interest in him didn't. The restaurant cleared out immediately, the villagers practically crawling over each other to escape. They crowded around the entrance, standing on each other's shoulders so they may peer into the clearing that served as the eating area.

The stranger took his rapier off his belt and leaned it against the table, before sitting down. The chair was much too small for him, so he kicked it aside and sat, legs folded, awkwardly picking up a pair of chopsticks and trying to hold them between two clumsy fingers.

"Soups on," Po shouted, backing out of the kitchen. Miraculously, he was carrying no less than twelve bowls, two in his paws and the rest balanced on his extended arms, head, protruding gut, and knee, which meant he had to hop along on one leg. Upon seeing the dining area was empty save the stranger, the bowls slowly slipped down, shattering on the ground, noodle and broth spilling along the stone ground, save the two in his hand, which he had a tighter grip on. Po gazed around, at last noticing the stranger, who was still trying in vain to hold the chopsticks properly.

Po walked over, placing one of the bowls in front of him, and taking the chopsticks. "You're not from around here, are you?" the panda asked, tying a rubber band around the stick's top and handing them back to the wolf.

"Vhat vas your first hint?" the stranger asked, lowering the collar and sniffing at the noodles with an extended snout. He took an experimental taste, smiled, and began eating.

"Anyone ever tell you you're bad for business?" Po asked, sitting down across from him. It seemed wasteful to leave the second bowl to grow cold, and he hadn't eaten in about ten minutes, so he began slurping the contents down loudly. "My names Po, what's yours?"

"Verner," the stranger said.

"Verner?"

"No, Verner."

"Verner?" Po confirmed.

The stranger sighed, at last extending a clawed finger and carving his name into the table.

"Oh, Werner," Po read.

"Yes, Verner. And you are the famous kung fu panda?"

Po gave a self conscious chuckle. "Well, I don't like to brag but, but I did beat Pai Lung." Po chuckled again. "What's with the accent? I vant to suck your blood. He he he."

Faster than lighting, Werner pulled his rapier out of the sheath and pressed the flat of the blade to Po's throat. Po reacted instantly, upturning the table and rolling backwards in a surprisingly agile move. He took a few steps back, holding hands at the ready. "Alright, I'm sorry I was making fun of your accent."

Werner stood up, sheathing his blade and placing it back on his belt. "Relax. I get zee accent zing a lot. I vas just testing you, seeing if zee rumors are true. I must say, zat was quite impressive."

"Well, I don't like to brag."

"Ja, you do. My little sister vanted me to get an autograph of zee Furious Five, I vas vondering if zey are at zee temple."

"Uh, Crane is out fishing, and Viper and Mantis are out on the town. I think only Tigress and Monkey are there."

The wolf took one last slurp of the soup before turning and walking off, the crowd parting to let him through. It took Po a whole eight seconds to realize that he hadn't paid.

---

Balled fists smashed into the boulder and, slowly but surely, bits and pieces of the rock chiseling away. Every strike was accompanied by a furious grunt as Master Tigress exerted herself. Her knuckles were bleeding, possibly broken, but she was far from feeling any pain. Such was the way she spent her days.

Monkey, who was watching her a few feet away, was worried about her. There was no doubt she had always been the most dedicated of student, always training with near fanatical dedication, but her present regime was extreme, even for her. She slept a mere four hours a day, if that, and spent the remaining twenty hours tirelessly working towards whatever ridiculous goal she had set for herself. Sure, every now and then she may have a bowl full of rice or a cup of soup, but she wolfed that down in minutes and then went right back.

It was almost painful to watch her. Monkey wished he could do something, say something, but if she did respond, it was just "I'm fine," in a monotone voice.

It was only when the doors to the training garden opened did Tigress stop breaking her knuckles against the boulder. Monkey, from his perch, looked at the stranger, wide eyed, trying to make sense of the long snout and bushy tail and odd apparel, not even noticing the sword kept brazenly on his belt. Tigress saw an enemy. Growling lowly, she crossed the grounds in a few easy bounds and leapt, but the stranger ducked beneath the kick and with a beautiful display of speed drew his rapier and pressed the pointed tip under Tigress' chin. She had to strain to keep her balance, should she fall forward, the blade would easily pierce her windpipe. Should she try to back away, and no doubt the tip would be thrust forward.

"You're tired," Werner explained.

"I'm not," Monkey shouted, bringing his staff down. Werner stepped backwards, the staff passing harmlessly through the air he had prior occupied. The wolf continued his retreat, bending gracefully to avoid the staff, fists and feet that were coming at him from every direction. When given the chance he poked his rapier forward, but with deft grace Monkey bent his abdomen to avoid the point.

"You're pretty good," Werner smiled. "I would expect nothing less from a master."

Monkey changed his stance, putting the staff behind him and extending his free hand in a mocking gesture, meant to lure his opponent into attack. He was sort of a 'bring it on' motion, curling his fingers to this palm. It worked on Po every single time, but the wolf stayed firm and calm and waiting.

The distant pitter patter of tiny feet on stone steps called the attention of both combatants. "Master," the tiger and monkey said in unison, bowing down, the later completely ignoring his opponent. Werner removed a small photograph from his pocket, looked to the red panda, and charged forward, past Tigress or Monkey, rapier stretched forward to run the master through. Yet, for how quick the wolf may be, Shifu was quicker and leapt high, landing gracefully on the flat of the blade. Werner's surprise was overwhelming as he stared, wide eyed at the red panda, who easily kicked the swordsman on the snout. Werner stumbled, sword flaring, and Shifu easily slipped between the swiping metal to put another kick into Werner's stomach. He reeled forward, his chin coming into contact with one of Shifu's knees, and he was flung, landing painfully on his back.

"If you are quite finished, may I ask what this is about?" Shifu said. Werner was slow to get to his feet. He twisted so he was on his belly, then pushed his hands and knees beneath him and lifted himself up, sharp eyes never leaving the red panda, who was waiting very patiently for his opponent to gather to his feet.

"It vould seem that my skills are not sufficient," Werner muttered to himself. He circled, and the master and apprentice masters circled with him, so that he was always kept in front of them. Werner reached into his coat and removed a stick of dynamite from his pocket, calmly throwing it to Shifu.

"Down," Shifu shouted, diving at Tigress and Monkey and pushing them to the ground, shielding them with his tiny body. When nothing happened, he lifted his head and looked to the entrance, too see that the wolf had disappeared, and the dynamite was laying on the ground, unlit. He charged forward, snatching the stick up as he passed it and looked to see the wolf rushing down the winding stairs. Shifu cocked his arm back and threw the dynamite. It spiraled through the air, at last coming into contact with the wolf's left leg and tripping him up. He stumbled down the remaining twenty or so stairs.

"Tigress, Monkey, go retrieve our new friend."

They both gave respectful nods before rushing out of the temple and down the steep stairwell towards the valley.