Hey guys, I know it's been forever since I updated. I'm sorry. I hope you enjoy this. Sorry it's short. I'll try to start making the chapters a little longer. Please R&R if you have time. I would love to know how I'm doing. Thanks to all those who have reviewed, followed, and favorited so far. This chapter should be funny for you. And we have a little Kung Fu action! Enjoy!

Chapter 3 The Valley of Peace

Mei Lien

The small red panda stepped off the ship and took a deep breath of fresh air before opening her eyes. It felt so nice to be back on dry land. The breeze was blowing so strong that the light pink flower she had tucked neatly behind her ear threatened to blow away, and the flowing hems of her dark blue robes whipped around her feet.

She smiled sadly when she noticed just how much the Valley of Peace resembled her own valley…or what used to be her valley. Villagers of all kind strolled here and there, living their everyday lives. Walking into humble homes. Ordering food and playing in the streets. They looked a lot like the villagers back home looked before….

Mei Lien shook her head to clear the memories as Fu sat the small bag she had packed at her feet. She automatically took it without a second thought and passed him the correct sum of money. "Thank you, Fu. I can take it from here. Safe journey."

Fu hesitated a moment, looking her up and down. "Are you…sure you don't need someone to…carry your things to the Jade Palace….Master Mei Lien?"

She managed a small smile when the tone of his voice suggested that the title "Master" spoke for itself. Sure enough, he broke direct eye contact in embarrassment. Mei Lien smiled and spoke in a gentle tone with only a hint of offense.

"No."

"Master Mei Lien." Fu bowed to her and took his leave.

Mei Lien took her bag and headed in the direction of the dreaded stairs. It wasn't hard to find, even from the harbor. Almost every palace had their own famous, dreaded staircases. Each with a unique design.

On the outskirts of town, she ran into a gang of crocs that blocked her path. Mei Lien stiffened and waited for them to state their intentions. Crocs were usually nothing but trouble.

The biggest croc, probably the bandit leader, pointed a finger at her. He spoke with an usual accent that suggested unintelligence and, obviously, had no idea who she was.

"Alright, lady. Open the bag."

Just as I thought. Mei Lien decided she would play along. She sat her bag on the ground, opened it, and pleasantly stepped aside to make a gesture that dared anyone to approach it. One of the smaller crocs started to make that mistake, but the leader became suspicious and stopped him.

"That easy?" he asked, "What's in it, lady?"

"Nothing that would fit you," she said pleasantly.

The Croc stepped forward and reached forward. "Come on, now. Lady like you? You wouldn't travel without money."

Before he could even touch the bag, Mei Lien twisted his arm in one swift move. When she was done, he was sprawled on the ground with her holding his arm at an angle that could snap it off in seconds. All the rest of the crocs came at once. Mei Lien had them all at her feet in seconds with a series of jump kicks and swift punches. Crocs were always so predictable.

When she landed on the ground, the only one left standing was a very young croc that looked to be inexperienced. Judging from his trembling, he was the newest member of the bandits. Out of fear he pulled a sword from a nearby cart, earning a small protest from the owner. Any other time, Mei Lien would have been enraged at by this show of disrespect. But this time she just rolled her eyes and moved into a stance to prepare herself. The young croc was only trying to defend himself in the best way he knew how.

She had no trouble catching the sword when he threw it. She spun it over her head a few times to capture the force of the throw and slowly lowered it at her side. The young croc trembled as Mei Lien drew closer and closer to him.

Instead of using the sword for its intended purpose, she quickly spun him around and struck him twice with the flat end of it.

"Go. Home." she shouted between the two blows. As soon as she released her hold, he ran away without looking back.

Once he was out of sight, she turned and handed a stunned cart owner his sword back. She froze when she spotted two new creatures standing near her case with wide eyes. One was a stern looking tigress she already knew was Master Tigress. The other was a chubby, gaping panda she wasn't familiar with.

Master Tigress was the first to speak. She shook her head to compose herself and bowed in respect. "Master Mei Lien. We've come to escort you to the palace. Though it looks like….you're getting along just fine….on your own."

Mei Lien returned the bow as Tigress took in the pile of unconscious crocs. "Master Tigress. Yes, the valley is lovely aside from the crocodiles. My students back home are constantly annoyed with them as well."

The panda finally found his words. "That. Was. Awesome!"

Mei Lien wasn't exactly sure how to respond to that. "Thank you-"

The panda didn't give her any more time to inquire a name. He quickly pattered over to her, excitedly looking her up and down with wide eyes. Mei Lien blinked in confusion as he jabbered.

"I can't believe I finally get to meet Master Mei Lien….the Master Mei Lien…. I mean, how often are we going to get this opportunity?! And the way you smacked that croc! That's one less bandit we have to worry abou-"

Tigress rolled her eyes slightly when Mei Lien searched her for answers. "This is Po," she said in a monotone voice, "the Dragon Warrior."

It seemed like Mei Lien's world spun without her. She pointed at the young panda in astonishment. "This…this is the…Dragon…..Warrior…..?"

The panda waved carelessly. "Hey, how ya doin'? Man! That was awesome! Can I have an-"

Tigress held up a paw. "Po, don't ask for-"

"Autograph?" Po finished.

Tigress ran a hand over her eyes and shoved her bag at the panda. Mei Lien smiled at this wonder of a Dragon Warrior as she tried to wrap her puzzled mind around the last five minutes.

It didn't surprise her when Tigress urged them on to the Jade Palace. She already knew Tigress wasn't one to talk much.

"Master Mei Lien. We're ready for you at the Jade Palace."

Mei Lien shook her head. "Oh, of course. "Thank you, Masters Tigress and Po."

Po started talking as soon as they started up the stairs. "…Can't wait to show you my collections. Master Shifu's going to be so…."

Mei Lien just nodded. She liked the panda right away, but how could he be the Dragon Warrior? She couldn't believe it. After all those tales… But, from what she heard, he did defeat two of the most dangerous people in all of China.

She stopped when she noticed Po wasn't talking anymore. They were nearly halfway up the stairs. When she turned around, he was at least two flights behind them on his hands and knees.

"Master Po, is something….wrong?" she asked tentatively.

He said it all in two words.

"Ugh…stairs…."