I apologize for any miss spellings I may have missed but please enjoy the story.

Not all are happy with peace.

Po-

"It has been years since the fall of Shen the masters of the Jade Palace have fallen into the calm rhythm of defeating bandits and keeping the peace among the citizens. Viper, Crane, and Monkey all took on students which are becoming Kung Fu warriors in their own right. Mantis who was tiring of Kung Fu has settled in the valley below with his own acupuncture clinic. He does help fend of bandits from time to time but for the most part doesn't fight anymore. The only ones of the six masters unable to accept this melancholy state were Master Tigress and I.

At first it didn't bother her it was nice being able to train without interruption but even that lost its pleasure. After that she began to go out and hunt bandits and criminals every week or so only being gone for a day or so. She continued to bring in criminals for the better part of the last two years then she just disappeared. The worst part of it all was that I had no clue she had left because I decided to spend the past three years traveling the world trying to obtain a better understanding of the universe. Master I promise I will find her and I will bring her back"

With that promise I left Shifu where he stood at the gates to the palace worry etched on his aging features. Never had I seen him in such a state it was hard to believe that he was so old. Taking a deep breath I made my way down the thousand stairs to Mantis's shop in hopes of finding some clues

It's still odd to go to his store. For some reason I had thought that he that he would always be at the palace as Oogway had. Walking in I could see the wall was decorated as his room had been only now it was much larger and had tables for his patients. "Po! It's been too long. Need me to fix something or maybe you're after some lady help." The old Mantis still moved around as quickly as ever as he talked. Laughing dryly I replied, "I guess a woman problem. When was the last you heard from Tigress?"

I watched as he lost the playful demeanor. "I told Shifu that as soon as you heard what happened you blame yourself and go after her. Did he try to stop you? Nooo… 'Sigh' Well I guess I can try. You know she got reckless I've had to stitch her up so many times that I was starting to wonder if she wanted to replace her stripes or something. Well I'm sure you're not going to listen and go after her so I will tell you what I can. Last I saw her she came to me for a restock of her usual herbs and supplies. When I asked her what her target was this time she only told me 'This time I may have found a worthy fight' and she left." "Is there anyone else she gets supplies from?" I asked the worry evident in my voice. Mantis gave me a pitying look, "Your dad is the only other person that I know she would always see before leaving. After you left she would go there order the secret ingredient soup and swear it gave her good luck till she returned." I had to fight the tear back that formed when I heard about this. Its true I knew how much she loved my cooking but to miss it that much it made me wonder. With a warm smile I bid fair well to my old friend and turned to make my way to my father's noodle shop.

It didn't take me long to reach his shop and though it didn't surprise me I was glad to see it hadn't really changed. The only real difference was that, according to the picture on the sign, my father now had a white mustache. Walking in I decided to have some fun with him and walked up the counter, "I would like a Po sized helping of the secret ingredient soup please." I watched as he automatically replied, "Right away that will be twenty wan." "So the Dragon Warrior doesn't get his discount any more then Dad?" There was a clatter as he dropped the pan on the floor and spun around. As soon as he saw me he launched himself at me giving me a big hug. "Oh Po, I've missed you. You must tell me all about your travels I heard that you went to Greece and Egypt and even across the Great Oceans themselves." Unable to stifle my laugh I told him of my adventures some were more painful than others but by the time I was done the sun was just setting and we were just finishing dinner.

Taking a deep breath I looked to Dad and asked, "So how are Tigress and the others doing?" What he told me of Shifu and the others I already knew but when he go to Tigress I was surprised. "You know son she came here every time before she would leave on her little adventures and reminisce with me about you. I'm not sure what happened to her, the poor dear but she really did miss you know. I think she was going out and looking for you but was too shy to admit it." The last comment made me blush profusely but at the same time made me happy, "Well did she say where she was going this time?" "Actually she did right before she left she asked if I would like her to bring me anything back from a place called Africa."

When I heard that my blood froze. Africa had been the one place I was too scared of to stay for long. Almost all of the people and villages there were war like and loved to fight I couldn't stand it. I silently prayed she had just been passing through. Taking a deep breath I thanked my father for the meal, and quickly left to figure out the most likely route she would have taken to get to that forsaken place. As I made my way to the southern gate of the village I couldn't help but think about all the times we had shared before I left, and hoped she was still the same Tigress I had known.

-Tigress

It has been a years since I felt the need to return to the Valley of Peace but this time I need help if I am to save my new friends and they're the only ones I know to turn too. Its true that their way of life bores me to death but that doesn't mean they can't fight, I hope. Looking at the village before me bathed in the ruddy light of the setting sun I made my way down the hill to the southern gates of the town I saw a large figure wearing a Kung Fu robe and carrying a large stave. It stood their apparently lost in thought as I approached. When I got within ten feet the figure looked at me. That's when I realized it was Po. Taking a deep breath I prepared for his usual overly emotional welcome home but it never came instead he just stood there and stared.

I wonder if he even recognizes me I mussed as I realized that I was wearing my new coat and weapons from Thailand not to mention the various new scars I had gained since I left. Walking up to him I could see the tumblers click in his brain right before he hugged me. "Your alive!" He yelled lifting me up. On reaction I put my foot on his gut and pushed out of his grip. He was much stronger and larger than I remembered him being that's for sure. It didn't even seem to hurt him like it would have three years ago. "It's good to see you too Po." I managed unsure of exactly what to say. Smiling at me he reached out and took my paw dragging me to the palace as he rambled on about how worried everyone was because of my disappearance.

I have to admit that it wasn't the most honorable thing to do not even saying good bye but I hadn't even noticed how long I had been gone till this happened. As we reached the top of the steps I noticed how easy it was for the both of us now, not that it had ever been hard for me but this time it was as if they were flat even ground. Taking a deep breath I prepared to return to the world I had run from in the first place and hoped it would all go well.

As I walked behind Po I saw that most of the palace was the same except for the evidence of the new students that had been taken on. I was almost curious to see if they had improved any since the last time maybe they would be a good match for my students after I save them. The great hall was the same as always even Master Shifu meditated in the same place as he always had. I took a deep breath as memories flashed through my mind and a smile spread across my once emotionless features and took a knee, "Master Shifu, I have returned." The way he stood showed his age it's still hard for me to believe he could get even older. It surprised me to see the tears in his eyes when he faced me and even more of a surprise when he hugged me in front of Po. "Tigress we were worried you had been killed." He managed to say calmly. Stepping back he traced one of the now faint scars I had earned since I left last. "You must be tired. Po please take Tigress to get something to eat I will go get the others and meet you there soon."

It was nostalgic to sit in that kitchen and listen to Po ramble on about his adventures. He had gone and seen so much and learned much about life beyond China but in typical Po fashion he caused trouble and made friends along his way. After half an hour the others came in and sat around the table the only one who showed any age was Viper and she had only matured. Taking a deep breath I looked too all of them and calm said, "I need your help. I know you have so many questions about what has happened and I promise to tell you but first I need to know if you will help me save my friends. They have been captured by a war lord that seeks to conquer Asia. The four of us were the deadliest of his enemies so he came for us first. I managed to escape but the others are trapped. So I beg you, please." As I finished a tear slid down my cheek involuntarily. Everyone looked at me amazed at the emotion in my voice then to Shifu as he said, "Go and gather your things we will leave immediately."

Crane was the first to respond, "What about the students?" "Bring Si and Shi they are the oldest and most accomplished of your students." Shifu said a calm peaceful smile on his usually cold face. I watched from the gates as they gathered my old friends looked the same as always save for Viper and Po and the two new students Si the hawk and Shi the Wolf were the only difference. I gave them a scrutinizing look and I could see them shiver like they had when I was training them in Tiger style. It was as torturous for them as it was entertaining for me.

I stopped myself from laughing at the memory thinking about how they must see me now. Wearing a foreign coat and blades covered in unfamiliar scars I must look terrifying to them. Ah well that's their problem. Turning to the steps I led them from the palace leading them into a world outside of their known limits.

Po-

I would be lying if I said that I recognized her when I first saw her she almost scared me. I looked up and saw a tigress walking towards me with three long scars on the left side of her face, notches in her ears, and wearing a coat that has seen the bloodier side of battles. She reminded me of the more monstrous individuals I had met and not all of them had been sane. But when she neared I recognized her stripes and eyes and that's when I knew it was her. My heart skipped a beat and I could hardly contain my excitement. Now hearing that she has come back to ask for our help is what's bothering me. The strong independent warrior I knew never asked for help and never cried. Who were these new friends of hers and why do they mean so much to her?

Those thoughts burned at the center of a constant stream of questions I had but she was for some reason hard to approach as if her very chi had changed. I watched her walk down the stairs in front of me an unusual sway to her hips I hadn't noticed before. The weight of the swords which crossed her hips seemed to just accentuate the motion. Something inside of me told me that she wasn't the same Tigress I had known just as I wasn't the same Po. I just hope she will finally like what I have become.

We walked for the better part of the night and only stopped when the students begged us too, all be it quietly enough to keep Tigress from hearing. As we set up camp I noticed she had no gear only a bag of food which she dug into and pulled out a scrap of dried meat. Sitting next to her I asked, "Are you going to sleep?" She gave me a confused look, "Why should I?" "Well it is night you know most people sleep during this time." A sad laugh and look came from the usually composed warrior as she replied, "I guess I've gotten so used to keeping up with him that I hadn't noticed just how hard we go. Though I doubt you've ever had to keep up with a hyena that's been trained in warfare." At this she laughed as if it were a good joke.

I studied the sadness in her eyes as she said this and had to ask, "So what are your friends like?" She seemed to lose herself for a moment then calmly began, "Well there's Giga she's a striped hyena we took in to train after we found him in the wreckage of a house. She's good fighter in close quarters if a bit cocky for his own good. Then theirs Ray he's a condor bout Si's age and an amazing flier but is still a bit scared of blades. Finally you have… Decha, he found me when I was trapped in Africa. I had gone after a murderer who had fled there and found his men waiting for me. If it wasn't for him I would have been put through things I wouldn't be able to imagine. I guess it's my turn to try and return the favor."

Unknown to us Viper had been listening and wanted to know more asking, "How did he save you? If you couldn't beat them then how could he have done so?" "He kills all who turn their blade on him." She said with a slight giggle. I wasn't sure which bothered me more what she said or her reaction to it. Yawning I decided to lay down and sleep for a while bidding them good night.

The next day I walked further back with viper so that we could talk. Looking at the now much larger snake I quietly asked, "So what do you think of last night?" She shook her head, "I'm not sure. It's not unheard of for warriors to kill when they fight and Tigress has never shunned away from violence so it's not that far of a stretch that she may be going down that road. I mean look at the hilts of those swords do you see the color of the cloth that their wrapped in?" Blinking I took a closer look at the large blades and saw that the long strips of cloth were a dark red. I had seen clothes that color before but never that dark or rich. "Ya, their red I'll have to ask her how she got them so dark." Viper gave me a dark look, "It's done by soaking it in blood and drying it in the sun. Whoever she got them from I there was a butcher or is a very violent individual." I gulped as I wondered if Decha had given them too her. Too be fair it was still odd to see her with swords. Normally she hated weapons but she wore those as if they were a part of her.

Smiling at Viper I said, "I'm sure that she is still the same Tigress deep down." She returned the smile a hint of hope in her eyes, "I hope so Po. For your sake." Then went and joined Crane. Now that I was behind them I could see they had grown close in recent years, unconsciously matching the others speed. That's when thoughts that I had put out of my mind years ago returned. Little day dreams of Tigress and myself getting that close. Taking a deep breath I told myself I would chaise such dreams after we saved her friends. But in the mean time I was going to show her the new me.

Decha-

I can't believe I let them trap me in this cave like this. Snarling I continued to pace looking for a way out. This was the product of charging into strong hold of a warlord to save my students. Well at least Tigress is free I know she will do something but I can't wait forever. Looking to the mound of boulders his rhinos had collapsed into the mouth of the cave. I began looking for the one that supported the rest and took my iron stance. I despised having to use it since it left me stiff for days after word ah well when push comes to shove. Drawing my arm back I whipped it at the rock delivering the strongest of my ten techniques. The boulders exploded outward in a cloud of dust and gravel. As I faced the men who had stood guard over my improvised prison, "I hope all who face me are prepared to face a warriors death for I shall not die today." With that formality put aside I charged them head long claws bearded and a gleam in my eyes as the sun rose behind me.

Tigress-

I woke to a chill up my spine just like I get before I charge a foe. Worry soon followed I hoped Decha was OK. Then guilt swept over me for leaving him even if he told me to. Looking to the others I stood and began to get ready for the days walk. Po's curiosity from last night bothered me but it was typical of him. I doubt that my old friends will care for Decha, he is a coarse and rather strong willed individual not used to softening his words for any that do not earn it.

Looking to the road now bathed in light I stood and waited for the others to follow suit. The rest of the day's walk was relatively quiet the Po and Viper gossiping in the back of the group for a change. I figured it would be about last night. A lot has changed and I have little explanation to give them. The last year of my life had been a hectic one that's for sure. I never thought I would find others that meant so much to me but I have and now I must protect them as he protected me.

That night we stopped in a small town half a day's walk from the Thai border. After the others got settled into their rooms I explained the plan to them in the lobby. Pointing on the map I drew an imaginary line as I explained, "Tomorrow we will meet a friend of mine at the Brakus River then we will travel from this point into the African plains where we should reach the crags this monster is held up in. We will have to formulate a plan from their since I haven't actually seen his strong hold." They all blinked at me as if I was crazy and on cue Si moaned, "There is no way we can get there that fast first of all it would take us 3 days by boat going up river, and I thought Africa was a wild and dangerous place how are we going to get there so fast?" looking at him I just smiled and said, "Trust me. Now we need to sleep so you guys won't be too tired for tomorrow." And with that I rolled up my map and tucked it back in its tube next to one of my swords.

Po gave me an odd look as I did this. Blinking at him I asked, "What is it?" "Nothing just you seem to be so comfortable with those big things. I mean aren't they heavy?" Smiling I drew one of the large blades its polished edge gleamed in the candle light in contrast to the unpolished remainder, "I guess I'm just used to it at this point. Every other weapon I used at the palace was so uncomfortable to use that I thought they were just a hindrance. But these are as natural as my own claws." Sheathing the sword I saw the look of uncertainty. "Po, a lot has happened for me in the last three years and I'm sure just as much has happened to you. I can see that you are much calmer and stronger than the annoying panda that left the valley. Now time to rest."

Po-

I'm not sure what all has happened to Tigress but I can tell it's more than just some hard fights. What could make her like a weapon and did she stain the hilts or was it that Decha? Something about that name sends chills down my spine and makes me want to beat him to a pulp at the same time. Griping my head in frustration I lay on my bed and attempt to puzzle out what I should do.

Then next thing I knew there was a bang at my door as Monkey yelled at me to hurry up or be left behind. Scooping up my stave and bag I ran out the door and managed to catch up to the group before they left the inn. Talking a deep breath I wondered what I should do or if there was anything I could do. What I was sure of though was that I was going to make sure that Tigress didn't lose herself.