Judy stared at Tigress's proffered paw and looked up in shock at her face. Nick, seeing Judy was still processing what had just happened, grabbed Tigress's paw and shook it firmly.
"I'm Nick Wilde and this is Judy Hopps. We're police officers" He said smoothly.
"Police officers?" Tigress replied, looking puzzled.
"We protect mammals and arrest criminals. We keep the law." Nick explained. Tigress nodded in understanding. They were like the kung-fu masters. They protected mammals.
"If you're 'keepers of the law,'" Tigress said slowly, "then you might be able help us."
Nick gave her a slight grimace. "We don't exactly live here." He said awkwardly. "We're from Zootopia, a huge city, miles away. We just came here on vacation."
"Oh." Tigress said in confusion, never having heard of such a place. She looked at Po, who was clearly as clueless as she was. Nick, seeing their perplexed expressions continued speaking.
"Never mind," he said quickly, still trying to figure out what exactly was going on, "What do you need our help with?" Before the tiger could answer, Judy interrupted.
"You weren't supposed to be real." She whispered. Tigress cocked her head, baffled, and looked at Po, who shrugged. "How are you here?" Judy asked, looking up at Po and Tigress.
"Well I was trying this new thing with the spirit world and—" Po began before being interrupted by Tigress.
"What do you mean we weren't supposed to be real?" She asked Judy, intensely curious about the bunny's reaction.
"I had this story book when I was a kid." Judy said, still shell-shocked, her ears drooping behind her head. "It was all about the adventures of the Furious Five and the Dragon Warrior. But they weren't supposed to be real."
"Nobody ever knew you guys actually existed." Nick interjected when Judy fell silent again. "You were just a legend, a children's story." Po and Tigress looked at each other, devastated by what Nick had just relayed.
"What do you mean 'were'?" Po asked. "Where are we?" Nick sighed and thought for a moment.
"My best guess? You're a couple thousand years in the future." Nick said. Tigress growled angrily and glared at Po, who immediately threw his paws in the air and backed away.
"It was an accident?" He said hopefully, still moving backwards. Tigress stalked towards him slowly.
"You are going to fix this." She said in a low growl. "Or it will not end well for you." Po gulped nervously and nodded his head. Satisfied, Tigress turned back around to see Judy sitting by the pool dejectedly. She turned to Nick, who was staring at her with a pained expression.
Nick sighed internally, knowing exactly why she was so shocked and disassociated, but powerless to help her. Judy was a force of nature. A nigh unstoppable bundle of energy that would never give up. But her drive, her enthusiasm, and her energy were all tied to her foundational beliefs. She believed the best in mammals. She believed in justice and a world where mammals could make a difference. And she believed that the world made sense. That it was scientific and ordered. That fictional mammals didn't pop out of thin air and start talking to them. The sudden appearance of her childhood heroes had rattled her to the core and she wasn't sure what to do. Nick started towards her, hoping to do something, but he felt a paw on his shoulder, pulling him back. He looked back and saw that it was Tigress, who walked over to Judy by herself. Nick turned to Po as Tigress took a seat next to Judy.
"Does she do that often?" he asked in an undertone.
"Not really." Po replied in amazement, not sure what his friend was doing. Unsure how to deal with his current situation, Po started bombarding Nick with questions.
"So do you guys do kung-fu still? What's it like now? What happened to the Jade Palace? Are you and Judy dating?" Nick bristled at the last question.
"No we're not dating!" he said heatedly, "Why would you think that?"
"Because you seem close and friendly and y'know…" he trailed off uncertainly, clicking his nails together. They stood in silence for a few minutes, Po aware that he had hit a nerve on his last comment, until Nick spoke.
"So you're a kung-fu master?" Nick asked suddenly.
"Yep." He said proudly. "And I've saved China. Twice." He added for effect. Nick looked at him skeptically.
"Twice?"
"Twice." Po confirmed. "I also saved the Valley of Peace from Tai-Lung." Nick looked at him appraisingly.
"What? You don't believe me?" Po asked, noticing Nick's look. Nick shook his head.
"No, I believe you. I can usually tell when someone's lying to me. And if you are telling the truth, which I think you are," Nick added hastily, "I'm just wondering why you're only remembered in story books. With all that, I'd think that there would be a more historical record of you guys." Nick mused.
"Me too." Po replied grumpily, slightly annoyed he was only known as a fictional character. The pair passed the remaining time in silence, both of them wondering why Po and Tigress were forgotten. But they were interrupted when Tigress and Judy walked back over.
"What're you guys doing?" Judy inquired cheerfully, clearly feeling much better. Nick, who shocked by the sudden turnaround, froze momentarily.
"Oh! Er, Po and I just talked about some stuff." He replied nervously, remembering Po's question about their relationship. "Like why these two," he said gesturing towards Po and Tigress, "are only remembered as fictional characters in children's stories." Tigress frowned.
"It is quite interesting." Tigress responded thoughtfully. "We kept extensive records in the Jade Palace, but something must've happened to them." Judy thought for a moment and then bounced in excitement.
"We can go check the Jade Palace now!" She blurted out. The three other mammals turned to look at her and Nick cleared his throat.
"Uh Carrots," he began awkwardly, "I think they might be more interested in getting home." Judy's face fell as she remembered that Po and Tigress had to go back to their time.
"Actually," Tigress said anxiously, "I don't know if we can get home." Nick and Judy both turned to look at the tiger in surprise.
"What do you mean Tigress?" Po asked. "I got us here, I should be able to get us back."
"Because that worked out so well last time." She responded sarcastically. "Po, we barely know when we are! And I doubt you have the energy to get us back after getting us here! Right now, we need to figure out another way home. We need help." Po sighed. She was right. He didn't have the power to get them back. At least not now.
"What about the staff Oogway gave you?" Judy asked.
"What about it?" Po replied.
"He gave it to you in the spirit world didn't he? Maybe it has some special powers that could help you guys get home."
"It might." He agreed. "But, um," he continued, making himself smaller, "I may have, uh, misplaced it." Po said delicately. Tigress sighed in exasperation.
"It's not like I lost it on purpose Tigress!" Po said defensively. "And I know I left it somewhere in the Jade Palace."
"You mean the ruined one? That we haven't been in for thousands of years." Tigress remarked drily.
"We can still search it though!" Judy interjected excitedly. "Maybe it's still in there somewhere."
"I guess it's worth a try." Tigress responded, looking at Po for confirmation, who nodded his assent.
"Let's get going then!" Judy said, thrilled at the prospect of searching the Jade Palace with her heroes.
"Wait a minute!" Nick yelled as they started walking towards the path down, "Does this mean we have to climb those stairs?"
"Yep." Po responded gloomily. Nick groaned and started towards the path. As he walked by Tigress, he grabbed her arm and stopped her.
"What did you and Judy talk about?" He asked quietly.
Tigress sat down next to the devastated bunny who was trailing her bare paws in the water, gazing blankly into space. Judy barely registered her presence.
"I remember the day my entire world was destroyed." The tiger began as she sat down and crossed her legs. Judy looked over, noticing Tigress for the first time. "It was the day Po was chosen as the Dragon Warrior. I remember it perfectly. Oogway had decided that it was time to choose the one who would take the power of the dragon scroll and become the Dragon Warrior. The one who could finally bring peace. The whole valley gathered to watch the choosing, expecting, as we did, the Dragon Warrior to be chosen from among the Five. It was the day I had trained my whole life for. Beating my paws to a pulp against the ironwood trees, training all hours of the day, doing everything I could to be the best, to make Shifu proud. Then in the middle of a demonstration, Oogway stopped everything, saying the Dragon Warrior was near, and walked down towards us, towards me. I was so convinced that I was going to be chosen. That I would finally fulfill my destiny. And then a panda fell from the sky." She snorted fondly. "Po, genius that he is, had attached fireworks to a chair so he could get inside and watch the ceremony. That panda launched himself right into the center of everything, right in front of Oogway, and Oogway chose him! I was shocked. Everything that I had worked towards and dreamed of was stolen from me by Po. A big, fat panda who could never beat Tai-Lung or be the Dragon Warrior."
"How did you become friends after that?" Judy asked tentatively, wondering why Tigress was sharing all this with her.
"Because after Po defeated Tai-Lung, I realized that I was wrong." She said simply. "Because the world didn't behave exactly the way I thought it would, and that's fine. Judy," She said emphatically, "I know that you aren't sure what to do right now and that our appearance caused it. But don't let that knock you down! The world is different from what you thought. So what? Get up and keep going." Judy gave a small smile, reminded of Nick's motto by Tigress's story, albeit a more positive version.
"Never let them get to you." Judy whispered. "Just keep moving." Judy stood up and hugged Tigress, who was both surprised and uncomfortable by the show of gratitude.
"Thank you." Judy said, unable to fully convey how grateful she was of Tigress's help. Tigress gave her an awkward smile and stood up as well.
"I think we should get back to the others now." Tigress said. Judy nodded her agreement and the two mammals walked back to where Nick and Po were staring into space.
"I just told her a story." Tigress said.
"Must've been some story." Nick snorted
"Trust me." Tigress replied looking at Po, "It was." Nick nodded to himself and turned to follow Judy down the mountain. Po hung back waiting for Tigress.
"Tigress," Po began timidly, "Sorry for getting us stuck here."
"It's fine Po." She sighed. "I know you didn't mean to. I just hope we can figure out a way back." Po smiled, glad that she wasn't mad with him and started walking with her down the mountain.
"Hey, why did you talk to that bunny?" Po asked. "You don't usually do that. Especially with strangers." Tigress thought for a few moments.
"Honestly Po, I don't really know why. I felt that I could help, so I did what I could." She answered.
"Why did you think you could help? Po asked curiously. "You just met her."
"She was in shock Po. Just like I was when a certain underqualified panda was named the Dragon Warrior." Tigress responded amusedly. The pair lapsed into silence as they continued down the trail.
"Do you think there will be anything left?" Po wondered, referring to the Jade Palace.
"All we can do is hope that something capable of helping us survived. If not, we'll have to find another way."
Nick looked at Judy as they walked down, unable to suppress a grin.
"What?" Judy asked looking at the fox's smile. Nick chuckled and returned his gaze to the trail.
"It's just nice to see my bunny feeling better." He replied merrily. Judy blushed at being referred to as 'his bunny,' and kept walking. "What exactly did you and Tigress talk about?" He pried, still curious about what the tiger had said.
"She just told me a story." Judy responded, giving nothing away. "But it had a good moral at the end of it. The world isn't what I thought it is. So what? I've just gotta keep going" Nick, though he didn't show it, was quite impressed by Tigress's advice. Especially given the effect it had on Judy. He turned around to see where they were and saw them deeply engrossed in conversation.
"So what do you think of them?" Nick asked.
"I like them." Judy said honestly. "Po is just like he is in my old book. Well-meaning, kind, and energetic. And Tigress is serious, but cares and helps people in her own way."
"If you like them Carrots, I'll defer to your judgement." Nick said. "But I like them too." They walked silently for a few moments until Nick began speaking again.
"Hey, what do you know about this saving China business?" Nick quizzed, hoping to learn more about Po's earlier claims. "Po mentioned it to me earlier." Judy screwed up her face and thought for a minute, trying to remember the stories she had read as a child.
"I think he saved China from a power hungry peacock named Shen." She said slowly.
"A what?!"
"A peacock. The book said it was something called a bird. Apparently he was worried about the prophecy of a soothsayer that foretold his downfall, and he tried to kill all the pandas to prevent it. He wasn't successful, but he killed Po's mother and his attempted purge caused his parents to banish him and he stewed for years, planning his return. When he finally did return, he came with a weapon he made that shot fireworks, basically a cannon, and tried to take over China. Po stopped him." Nick let out a low whistle, more impressed by the panda the more he heard.
"What about the second time?" Nick asked.
"The second time had something to do with the escape of a spirit from the spirit world." Judy began uncertainly, "I don't remember all of it, but apparently he used to be Oogway's best friend, Kai, but went power crazy and Oogway had to destroy him. Po banished himself to the spirit world and defeated him there in order to save everyone. That's when Oogway gave him the staff we were talking about earlier." Nick digested all of this information while they walked, his positive impression of Po reinforced.
"What about Tigress?" He inquired. "Where does she fit into all of this?" Judy laughed.
"Tigress," she started, "is the best of the Furious Five, and was Po's personal hero. She and the rest of the Five helped him against Shen and Kai. She's one of his best friends." Judy paused for a moment. "And I think he might have a crush on her." Judy snorted at Nick's face, which was frozen in surprise. "It's not that odd Nick." She said amusedly, "They're really close friends and have saved each other's lives on several occasions. I don't think you can go through stuff like that without some kind of bond forming."
"We're like that, and you don't see anyone thinking we're dating." Nick responded quickly.
"Have you seen Clawhauser? I'd be surprised if he didn't have a betting pool started in the precinct on us." Judy said mirthfully as she watched Nick's expression of shock reappear. "Oh come on Nick, you've got to have noticed some of it!"
"I did!" He said. "But I thought it was just Clawhauser!" Nick buried his head in his paws, hoping beyond hope that Clawhauser hadn't started a betting pool. Judy snickered at the fox's consternation, causing him to shoot her a wounded look.
"Oh it doesn't really bother you that much Nick does it?" She asked inquisitively. Nick stopped looking at Judy and kept moving forward.
"It doesn't." He responded mechanically, staring straight ahead. Judy rolled her eyes.
"Nick, I know you're hiding something." She said, growing tired of his antics. "So tell me what's bothering you."
"Nothing's bothering me." Nick replied neutrally.
"Come on Nick," Judy coaxed, "just tell me."
Nick checked behind them to make sure Po and Tigress weren't close enough to hear them, and stopped.
"It bothers me because they're right." He said quietly.
"What?" She replied, confusion clouding her face.
"They're right Judy! I do like you!" Nick shouted, unable to hold back any longer. "But I know you don't feel the same way and that's why it bothers me! Because I don't want my feelings and everyone's expectations to mess up the friendship we do have!" Nick turned around, scared and ashamed of his outburst, but was quickly spun back by the irate bunny.
"What do you mean 'I know you don't feel the same way!'?" Judy huffed angrily. "Of course I do you idiot! You're the best friend I've ever had and the only mammal I would trust with my life. So don't you dare," she continued, jabbing her finger at Nick, "say that!" Nick stared at the, now slightly tearful, bunny, an uncontrollable grin spreading across his muzzle.
"You do?!" He asked excitedly, feeling his heart grow light in his chest.
"YES!" She said exasperatedly. Nick's face lit up even more, and he hugged her, nearly cracking her ribs.
"You foxes," she coughed, returning the hug just as fiercely "so emotional."
Po and Tigress rounded the bend in the mountain and saw Nick and Judy clinging to each other like their lives depended on it.
"And he told me they weren't dating." Po muttered under his breath. Tigress smirked.
"AHEM!" She cleared her throat loudly, watching the pair rapidly disengage and face her, both blushing furiously. "Are we taking a break?" She asked, deadpanning. Nick and Judy shook their heads rapidly, and started back down the mountain, moving as quickly as their legs allowed them. Po waited until they were around the bend and burst out laughing.
"Did…you…SEE…the…look…on…their faces?" he wheezed, in between laughs. Tigress nodded, giggling uncontrollably. She felt a little bad about messing with the two mammals who had offered to help them, but hadn't been able to resist.
"Come on Po," she said, controlling her giggling, "we should catch up to them."
Judy pulled her ears over her face.
"That was mortifying." She groaned, wishing she could disappear into thin air.
"What? Embarrassed to be seen hugging your fox?" Nick teased, his spirits lifted by Judy's confession. Judy glared balefully at him from behind her ears, causing Nick to give her a smarmy grin. Judy huffed in response, but uncovered her face.
"I guess it could've been worse." She conceded reluctantly. "Besides," she added brightly, "we're almost to the bottom!" The pair walked the remaining distance down and waited for Po and Tigress, who were close behind, before going over to the Jade Palace stairs. Po looked up at the interminable pathway.
"My old enemy. Stairs." He said. He turned around as Judy giggled, and saw Tigress rolling her eyes at his dramatics.
"Come on." The tiger said, starting up the incline, "I want to make it up there before next century." Judy followed eagerly, easily keeping pace with the larger mammal. Po looked at Nick, who had a look of grim determination on his face, and the two started up the stairs together.
Tigress and Judy sat near the top of the stairs, watching their male counterparts struggling several hundred feet below.
"Does he always take this long?" Judy asked, amused by the similarities between Nick and Po. Tigress nodded her head lazily.
"It's taught me the value of patience." She responded. Judy sat in silence for a few moments, gathering the courage to ask Tigress the question that had been bugging her.
"Tigress, why did you help me earlier?" Judy asked softly. The tiger leaned forwards, resting her elbows on her knees as she thought.
'I don't know." She replied, unhappy with her inability to provide a better response. "It was just this feeling. I thought that I knew what was happening to you and that I could help. And your friend Nick just looked so helpless, I just, came over and talked to you." The bunny smiled, satisfied with the explanation, even though Tigress wasn't.
"What do you mean "Nick looked helpless?'" Judy asked.
"He was staring at you while you sat by the water." Tigress said, "He looked sad and desperate. I think he wanted to help you, but couldn't figure out how." Judy felt a surge of affection for Nick, touched by how he acted while she was indisposed. The two mammals sat there in companionable silence for a few more minutes until Nick and Po made it to the top. Nick sat down, breathing heavily, while Po flopped onto his back.
"I think I preferred the mountain." Nick groaned, feeling the ache in his legs. Judy rolled her eyes and went over to the fox.
"Come on Nick." She said, heaving the fox to his paws, "Lean on me if you're still tired." Nick grinned and staggered forwards with help from the bunny. Tigress smiled at the couple's interaction as Judy and Nick sat back down near her.
"What about Po?" Judy asked. Tigress waved her paw dismissively.
"He'll be fine." She said, used to Po's habits.
"No thanks to you." Po reprimanded her as he pulled himself to his paws. Tigress snorted.
"Are you ready to go now?" She asked, her voice laced with sarcasm. Po nodded, still breathing heavily, and Judy pulled Nick to his paws once more. Together, the four of them walked into the ruins of the Jade Palace. Nick and Judy gasped in amazement as they entered. Even though pillars were crumbling, the floor was pulverized, and the ceiling was rotting and full of holes, the ethereal beauty of the once great structure was clear. Beside them, Po and Tigress viewed the Palace sadly, depressed at seeing their home in such a state.
"Where would the staff be?" Judy asked, tearing her eyes away from the ruins.
"It wouldn't be where Po would think to look." Tigress said. "Most likely, Shifu found it and moved it."
"Then where are we supposed to look Tigress?" Po asked, feeling annoyed. "It's not like Shifu had some vault where he kept all the powerful kung-fu artifacts!" Tigress smiled at Po sheepishly.
"HE DOES?!" Po shouted in amazement. "Why don't you guys tell me anything?" He groaned.
"Shifu told us not to." Tigress replied calmly. Po glared at her, but soon his excitement took over.
"Where is it? What's in it? Does Shifu use any of it? How do you know about it?" Po asked, bombarding Tigress with eager questions.
"And this is why he didn't want us to tell you." Tigress said tiredly. "There's a hidden chamber in his rooms. And he only told us in case something happened to him."
"Let's go then!" He said, all traces of exhaustion gone as he yanked Tigress towards Shifu's quarters. Nick and Judy followed, still entranced by the ancient ruins, and nearly bumped into Po and Tigress who had halted inside a modest side chamber.
"Step back." She warned, causing all three to retreat. Tigress took a deep breath and struck the wall with incredible force, causing the outline of a door to appear in the wall.
"This," she grunted as she slid the hidden door aside, "is Shifu's vault." Po, bouncing in place, craned his neck to see past Tigress into the vault.
"Argh!" He shouted, disappointed, "Is that all there is?" The four of them entered the small, hidden chamber to see there were only two items. Po's golden yin-yang staff and a dusty and dulled red scroll case. Tigress looked around the rest of the vault, clearly concerned.
"What's wrong Tigress?" Nick asked, noticing her agitation.
"There are supposed to be many more things in here." She said. "Dangerous things that were in here for a reason." She shot a dark look at Po, who nodded in understanding.
"At least we have the staff." Po said, picking it up. Nick and Judy shot each other questioning looks that held the same message. What were Po and Tigress talking about? Judy shook her head at Nick. The message was clear, 'not now.'
"What's this?" Judy asked, picking up the battered scroll case. Po squinted at it.
"I think that's the Dragon Scroll." He said, puzzled by its presence in the vault. "Tigress, didn't you say Shifu only kept really powerful artifacts in here?" He asked, turning to the tiger. She nodded absentmindedly.
"We should leave now." She said checking outside the door. "Something odd is going on here." Nick and Judy exchanged worried glances and Po tucked the scroll into the back of his pants. The four of them headed for the former Hall of Heroes, Tigress leading the way.
"Maybe I was wrong." She said, emerging into the empty Hall. Nick, Judy, and Po all let out sighs of relief and continued out through the door.
"Lovely! You found the staff!" An unseen voice declared as they exited the Jade Palace. "I'll be taking that then."