To the reviewers and certain others, thanks for the wonderful response! A bit of terminology, before we proceed:

ka·ta /ˈkɑtə/

–noun

an exercise consisting of several of the specific movements of a martial art, esp. a pattern prescribed for defending oneself against several attackers, used in judo and karate training.

Now, on with the story:

1--

It hadn't seemed like much time to prepare, at least, not to Po, before they found themselves in the mountains north of Chunking. Shifu and his masters were engaged with one of Po's least favorite adversaries.

The Furious Five had reached the second of three flat landings, with Shifu close behind. He stopped briefly to regard Po's form, as he dragged himself onto the landing, rolling onto his back with a mixture of exhaustion and determined effort.

"Let us know if we're rushing you, Po," Shifu offered with a smile.

"Hey...no problem," Shifu gasped. "Stairs...LOVE the stairs..." He staggered to his feet as Shifu continued. Po stumbled afterward, breathing to himself, "What is it with mountain temples and stairs?"

"I must say, master," said Tigress, "We're at a disadvantage regarding this tournament. We've not heard of it..."

"No, you wouldn't have," nodded Shifu. "The Tournament of the Half Moon is a rather recent invention of Master Lao's. Its organization was only completed in the midst of Tai Lung's terror, so we were quite busy at the time. I'm glad to accept his invitation finally, after four long years. And all thanks to our Dragon Warrior..."

"No sweat..." acknowledged a still slightly-winded Po. "Just doin' my duty..."

"What is Master Shun Lao like, master?" asked Viper.

"Yeah, we've only heard fractions of tales," added Crane. "We had no idea you knew him."

Shifu was nostalgic as he thought of his old ally. "He is a lifelong friend. We achieved the rank of master together. It was a day I will never forget. One where we performed the kind of kata that others continue about which to ask. We matched each other move for move. Master Oogway described it as one of the most beautiful dances he had ever seen. He was more excited than we were."

"You didn't defeat him?" wondered Tigress.

Shifu regarded her. "Dominance is not the main aim, Tigress. Sometimes, when lost in our warrior spirit, it becomes easy to forget that kung fu is first and foremost an art. Its expression is at its best when both or all combatants can share in it." Shifu gave Po a sidelong look as he continued. "My master had to remind me of that only recently. But there, at our ceremony, Lao confided to me that hosting a tournament had been his dream. I joked to him that he would have to develop a school first. He did so in slightly over two years, a feat unheard of. And now, here we are."

The six masters turned from Shifu to regard a temple courtyard that rivaled the one in which they had all trained. Sumptuous decoration adorned its perimeter, evidently in anticipation of the upcoming events. From the midst of its far side a figure approached, a lion with neatly-combed mane, groomed whiskers, lavender masters' robe, an impressively wide gait, and an even wider smile. He opened his arms to scoop up Shifu.

"Well, look at this! Is this truly a master?" Shun Lao laughed heartily as Shifu joined in the merriment, returning the hug as much as physically possible.

"The same which was a match for you, O Grand Oversized Dog! It's been far too long, friend."

Lao released him. "Indeed it has. We must remedy that for the future! And the legendary Furious Five, at my humble tournament! I am truly honored."

The five masters were in full salute, palm to fist, when Shun Lao regarded them. "The honor is all ours, Master." Po scrambled to follow suit as they spoke, adding, "Yeah, um, what they said."

Shun Lao exploded with laughter as Shifu shut his eyes and placed hand to forehead. "And the mighty Po! The chosen Dragon Warrior! With great respect, your legend precedes you."

"They shared with me nearly the whole way that they are most curious about this place," Shifu offered.

"You'll all have plenty of opportunity to learn of it. For now, I'm sure that you'd like to settle in! We can visit later."

"If we may, Master," added Monkey, "a meeting with your own students would be additionally satisfying."

Shun Lao grinned. "Then your timing couldn't be better. They are at exercise in the training hall. This way."

The party followed the lion master to an ornately decorated hall on the right, with sidebars endowed with the same dark shade of lavender seen on Shun Lao's robe. He opened the doors and gestured his guests inside. The six masters preceded Shifu, stopping short at the scene before them.

This training hall was nearly identical to their own, the most evident difference being that the challenge areas were placed differently. Directly in front of them, a female kangaroo made constant flowing strikes at revolving dark wood columns, as a giant hawk deftly bobbed and weaved between the imposing spokes that decorated the column tops. On the near side, to their left, a mandrill and a mongoose performed what looked like an involved kata in slow-motion, which gave the effect of a beautiful dance. Their moves matched so perfectly, they might as well have been mirror images of each other. On the far side, to their right, a large bear sat cross-legged, in a deep meditation, atop a large, flat cedar wood plank. He appeared to be floating, but upon a closer inspection, a grasshopper could be seen holding bear and plank aloft, without the slightest hint of fatigue.

Po's jaw nearly scraped the floor. "We're dead."

Tigress gave him a friendly punch to the side. "That's no way for the Dragon Warrior to talk. Come, perhaps giving them a passing preview of your "awesomeness" will help your assurance."

"Riiiight", said Po, following the others, already dreading the coming days.