Gray flashed in front of her yellow eyes. Leaping forward, she kicked the gray thing in the face. There was a loud moan, and before her opponent could move, she was already knocking him off his feet. She stood on top of the rhino she had just beat up and smiled at her friends.
"That was amazing!" Her tiger friend yelled.
"Great job, Mei Ling!" Her red panda friend added. Mei Ling dipped her head. She was a Chinese Mountain Cat who had spent all of her life doing kung fu. She had been the best student at the La Da Kung Fu Academy. Huo Mao, the red panda, and Ai Hu, the tiger, clapped their paws. Pride surged through Mei Ling.
As the three were talking, the rhino got to his feet and quietly crept away. Mei Ling angled her ears toward the rhino and whispered to her friends, "He's getting away! Go get him!"
Huo Mao and Ai Hu swiveled their heads toward the fleeing rhino, exchanged excited glances and took off. Huo Moa kicked the back of the rhino's head, sending him crashing to the ground. Groaning, he tried to stand up, but Ai Hu flung him into the air and kicked him in the stomach. The rhino shouted and hit the ground. Shooting them a sideways glance, he got up and bowed his head.
"Mei Ling, Huo Mao, and Ai Hu," he started, "you three are truly worthy opponents and I'm glad to be fighting against you." He rubbed his back. "I just need some ice." Mei Ling walked up to him and held out her hand. The rhino shook it. "You must not know who I am! I am Xiaoxi, one of the messengers of the Jade Palace." Mei Ling gasped. The Jade Palace was where one of her best friends lived! The Furious Five flashed inside her mind. Tigress, Monkey, Mantis, Viper, and Crane. A long time ago, Mei Ling had given Crane confidence when it came to kung fu. Now Crane was one of the Furious Five. Mei Ling's heart ached. She missed Crane terribly.
"Really? That's awesome!" Huo Mao raced up to Xiaoxi and flashed him a toothy grin. She put her arms up in the air. "I've always wanted to meet the Furious Five!"
"They could teach me so many new moves," Ai Hu added, smiling. Xiaoxi laughed at their enthusiasm.
"Did you teach them kung fu?" He queried. Mei Ling shrugged but eventually nodded.
"When we first met they didn't know much. I taught them most of what they know." Mei Ling replied. Huo Moa and Ai Hu nodded. Mei Ling turned back to Xiaoxi, whose eyes were glittering in amusement.
"That's nice. Hey, Crane had been talking about you lately. He says that without you he wouldn't have been able to be one of the Furious Five." Xiaoxi informed her. Mei Ling felt herself blush. Crane was really thankful for her.
"Gosh, I don't know what to say! I'd really like to see him again though." Mei Ling smiled. Xiaoxi chuckled.
"That's why I'm here. As messenger of the Jade Palace, I invite you to visit Crane." The rhino said. The edges of Mei Ling's mouths raised and she grinned, showing him her immaculate teeth.
"Are you serious?" Mei Ling queried, unable to keep the excitement out of her voice. Xiaoxi nodded.
"I never joke about this stuff," Xiaoxi reassured. Mei Ling turned to Huo Mao and Ai Hu, who were bouncing up and down excitedly. Xiaoxi cocked an eyebrow. "What do you say?"
"We'll do it!" Mei Ling shouted. Huo Mao and Ai Hu grasped Mei Ling's hands and twirled her around her a circle. They let go and all laughed loudly. Xiaoxi beamed.
"Great! Meet me here by tomorrow morning and we'll depart then." As he was walking away, he added, "Crane will be so excited to see you again!"
