Time of Blast
Chapter 4. Mission
By Arecus. Conberma
Now inside the Jade Palace, while everyone waited for the mysterious tigress to awake, Shifu had asked everyone to gather around the Moon Pool for a discussion minus Mei Ling as she was asked to stay beside the feline until she had awaken.
As the Furious Five and the Dragon Warrior waited for their master to speak, they all noticed that Shifu didn't look well. He seem to circle himself as his mind was troubled knowing that if he did this act, it meant that was something bad or terrible happened.
Finally after much time of silence, Master Tigress rose the question that was on everyone's mind. "Master, is there something wrong?"
"Yes, Tigress. Very wrong." Shifu replied with much frustration in his tone. "Remember Lord Shen?"
Everyone flinched at the familiarity of the name that came from their master's mouth, Tigress growled lightly at the name as she despised it greatly. But Shifu assured her as he raised his hand, signaling the master to relax. "Relax, Tigress. He is not returning like Tai Lung. He was crushed, remember?"
She remembered, like it was yesterday, and thus Tigress unclenched her fist as Po added in. "Don't worry, Tigress. I saw him get crushed, there's no way he'd be able to survive from it."
"I...I suppose you're right." said Tigress, sounding a bit assured though still worried.
Shifu cleared his throat regaining his students attention as he stated again. "As I was saying. Apparently, some of his cannon designs survived from the battle, and were discovered by the foreigners in Thailand. And I have heard the most terrible news of their plans for it." Shifu paused as he took a breath unintentionally putting the masters on the edge of their seats, metaphorically speaking.
"They want to invade China."
Everyone in the hall gasped at the news, "This is terrible..." Crane gasped for a breath.
"I can't take for another war!" stated Po, looking quite frantic having never actually taken part of a war.
"China never had a war before, Po." replied Tigress, shaking her head at Po's wimpy attitude. i(A/N: There were multiple of wars in China, only I just don't want to mention about them.) /i"Not until now..." she muttered in her breath. The masters went silent as each went through their own thoughts on the war they may take part in.
However, a scream interrupted their deep thoughts, Crane turned his neck quicker than the others as he recognized the voice better than any of them.
It was Mei Ling!
Immediately, Crane fell off faster than others could rush to the room they left the white tigress and the snow leopard. With everyone's attention had turned to Mei Ling, they followed the crane to the bunkhouse with Shifu following in suit as well.
When they had finally arrived to the bunkhouse, they all gasped at the sight. The white tigress, still wearing her mask like she was born with a cursed face, was on all fours and growling in warning ready to take down her enemies.
"Mei Ling," Ignoring the threatening white tigress, Crane rushed to his friend's side as he went to comfort his slightly wounded friend. "Are you alright?" asked Crane worriedly. Mei Ling gave him a slight nod showing that she was okay. Unbeknownst to him, Viper's eyes showed hurt but chose not to express as there were more pressing matters.
"Stay down!" ordered Tigress with a snarl to the younger tigress, who was actually freezing the younger in her spot.
"We don't want to hurt you." spoke Tigress in a smooth but stern, trying to be as less threatening then she usually was. The younger one seem to ease as she looked at the older was an uncomfortable of silence as everyone stood still as the white tigress finally calmed down. However, something turned out unexpectedly.
The young tigress quickly bowed at them being as respectful as any other kung fu master would to each other. "The Dragon Warrior and the Furious Five," then she turned and bowed to Master Shifu, surprising the old master. "Grandmaster Shifu, it is an honor to meet you in person."
"Ooookkkkaaayyyy…" said Po, trying to break the ice looking incredibly nervous as he addressed the white tigress. "Nice to meet you...Uh, little one. So you know us, then who are you?"
Due to the mask, the kung fu warriors were unable to read any facial expression the tigress had as she addressed the group formally. "The name is Ching. Ching the Tigress."
"So, Ching," started Mantis as he approached the white tigress cautiously. "what brings you here in the Valley of Peace?"
"More importantly, HOW did you do the fire-attack-with-your-mind stuff!" asked Po. His excitement breaking the nervous atmosphere as he walked past the Five and Shifu and grasped her paws. Tigress saw this action causing her to become very envious her eyes twitching because of so.
Despite of wearing the mask, Ching's eyes showed surprise and shock as she and panda's eyes met. She smiled reluctantly and spoke in a solemn tone. "It's…ah…classified."
"What's with the mask, Ching?" snapped Tigress coldly, crossing her arms giving Ching a warning glare; one that the young tigress quickly headed.
"It's a solemn order from a clan where I'm from, a symbol of a guardian." replied Ching honestly as she stepped away from the panda.
"Then which clan are you from?" asked Tigress suspiciously.
As Ching met the suspicious glare from Tigress, she started to feel uncomfortable and unable to answer immediately. Sensing the nervous air around the young tiger, Po quickly interjected, "Come on, Tigress. Loosen up a little, would you? She just saved our lives down there. Try to trust someone who has no threat for once."
Everyone in the room gasped. The rest of the Five all stared at Tigress, even Shifu and Mei Ling stared as they waited for something, most likely rage, to happen. There was an unreadable expression held on her face; was it sad? Or hurt? "You are so naïve, Po. In case you have forgotten, WE all saw her what she DID to the ravens!" spoke Tigress as she shook her head lightly, and very much angry. With that, she started to leave the room leaving the masters, Mei Ling, and Ching speechless.
However, before she left the bunkhouse, Ching stopped her and starting begging her, surprising the older tigress. "Please, Master Tigress. I do not wish for discomfort."
The south China Tiger snorted at her pity comment, "Well, too bad. You just succeed." Tigress snorted.
Ching started to panic a bit, but quickly thought of something. Something she didn't want to do, and thus she spoke hesitantly, "If my mask bothers you, then I shall take it off to your satisfactory."
Before she could leave, Tigress finally glanced at the masked feline. It was her first time to see her "face" so close. Seeing that the older tiger was interested, Ching hesitantly brought her arm up to her mask. Tigress watched the younger one's paws approached the edges of the mask as everyone watched very closely, even Shifu. Slowly, Ching took off the Chinese mask and revealed her true face. As the result, there was sound of gasp filled in the room.
Not only the face, but also the color of her fur changed! Apparently, she wasn't a South China Tigress like Tigress. Instead, she was a White Tigress. The face revealed as a beautiful, young white tigress; but the most gorgeous part of her face was her eyes, as they were perfect, flawless emerald in the world. The male members blushed at the beautiful feline; Po's face was the reddest of all, he seemed to be close to nosebleed.
Much to her dismay, Tigress couldn't help to regret that she requested the mask removal, now she felt a bang of jealously in her heart. Mei Ling and Viper seemed to be the only ones who noticed the slight twisting anger on Tigress's face. Amused mysteriously, Ching put on her mask again along with the color changing of her fur. However, Po stopped the action.
"Why do you need to put it back on?" Po asked.
"It's a strict order from my clan not to reveal my true face to my enemy. And, in other words, I've risked my life to reveal it." Ching replied abruptly.
"Well, we're not your enemies, as you can see." Po snapped as she gesture to everyone in the room with a confident, yet goofy smile. "And you don't need to hide your beautiful face." Tigress's eyes snapped open wide as she looked at the big panda. Her eyes were full of hurt having heard Po say 'beautiful' to a tigress who he just met in mere half an hour ago.
Ching stared at Po in astonishment, the panda looking back at her with a cheesy smile. Finally she sighed in defeat and nodded her head. "Very well, I am grateful that you give me your hospitality."
"Now that we get this water settle…Would you please to tell me your purpose on this valley?" asked Shifu as he spoke clearing his throat to gain their attention.
Ching looked the others, and when she saw Po gave her a big comforting smile, she returned his smile. "I'm here on a mission. And I am requesting for the assistance of the Dragon Warrior and the Furious Five."
"Why should we help you?" snarled Tigress her friends, keeping her back from attacking or threatening the young tigress. "You could be leading us to a trap?"
b"Because this is the matter of preventing a war between China and Thailand."/b shouted Ching, dropping the bomb causing Tigress to stop her actions.
Everyone was tense when she said that, especially Shifu. They had just aware of the news from Shifu a few minutes ago, and she had the news ahead them. All were questioning Ching, the mystery of her identity had increased even more.
Before they could ask further question, Ching raised a paw to silent them, "Do not ask how I got the information. But what I am telling is an honest truth, and I wish for acceptance instead of rejection."
Everyone was hesitating. After all, they just met this girl who just burnt most of the raven army in front of them with little remorse. Was she evil or good? They didn't know if they should trust her or not.
Feeling their uncertainty, Ching added in a more desperate tone with pleading eyes. "Please, there is no time to waste!" The group was surprised with the young tigress, such a young strong warrior was particularly on her knees begging for their faith in her.
"I trust you." And Po was the first to broke the silence and place his trust in her giving the white tigress a approving smile. The rest of the group looked at Po in shock.
"You do?" questioned Shifu, who was quite concern with his student's lack of common sense.
"You do?" repeated Tigress, sounding slightly hurt.
"…You do?" repeated Ching in shock.
"Sure," Po answered with a comfort smile, "I don't know why, but somehow I know you from somewhere. You can stay here as long as you can. Right, guys?"
Everyone was silence by Po's suggestion, even Master Shifu. However, this allowed Shifu to study Ching more; he was sure that she was something more than just a mere white tigress. Especially with that kind of fire power. The Furious Five and Mei Ling were accepting of his answer, despite their obvious concern.
"Very well." nodded Shifu solemnly.
"Really!" cried the Five in surprise.
"Really?" cried Po and Ching in joy.
"As long as you control not to….ar… burn things around." Shifu clarified as he began to leave the room.
"Don't worry, Grandmaster Shifu. I have my fire under control." smiled Ching, assuring the red panda. Shifu nodded and walked off, with a destination in mind.
"Awesome! Let me show you around, we'll start the Training Hall! C'mon!" Po announced as he pulled Ching outside the room like they were best friends, while the Five followed the suit as well, only not as enthusiastic as Po. Tigress, on the other hand, was about to blow up if she saw Po and Ching holding their paws again.
After the alliance request from a mysterious teen tiger, Crane had finally turned his attention to his long best friend, Mei Ling, while the others wanted to have a test with the new comer. He gave her a personal tour around the Jade Palace before dinner. "And this is the Hall of Heroes!" he introduced proudly at the great hall.
The mountain cat was amazed at the sight, she heard about the majestic rumors about the Jade Palace, but not many had actually seen it unless you were a high rank kung fu master.
"Wow!" Mei Ling exclaimed, "This is AMAZING!"
"I know, isn't it?" said Crane with a nostalgic smile. Even though he had been living here for many years, he still felt fascinated about this palace.
Mei Ling wandered around the hall, astonished by the artifacts and the paintings. A sudden question soon came into her mind as she turned to Crane looking curious. "Aren't you guys afraid that these cool stuff would be stolen?"
"Are you kidding?" Crane asked, exaggeratedly, "We are the Furious Five, and with the Dragon Warrior we can't be stopped. Sure, we do get bandits try to steal these artifacts, but we always do our best to keep them safe from the wrong hands."
"Tough job, huh?" joked Mei Ling as she patted Crane's feathery back. Crane momentarily lost his balance causing Mei Ling to laugh at her friends misfortune. As Crane regain his balance, Mei Ling soon noticed an unfamiliar item: a case. "Crane?"
"Yea?" the avian warrior turned to his friend, and saw the questionable object that she was asking about.
"Oh, this artifact just arrived here few days ago. I don't know what this is, maybe Po does. And Master Shifu didn't even bother to explain its origin."
"Oh." Mei Ling replied simply.
"I guess it's not something important, I mean," Crane chuckled, "what kind of harm could it bring?"
Mei Ling laughed a bit at the comment, "True." There was a mysterious tone in her voice.
"Come on, let's check on the others." Crane suggested.
The mountain cat nodded in agreement and followed her friend to the Training Hall, but she glanced back at the unknown case with a mysterious look one more time before she left the Hall of Heroes.
Elsewhere, Shifu had uncovered some ancient scrolls in his secret chamber. He was reading an old tale, or maybe an even old legend. It was hard to tell sometimes. With each sentence he read, his facial expression were becoming more serious. What's more, he was practically sweating nervously while reading.
"If what I think is correct, that girl is a Pyrokinetic." declared Shifu as he almost looked grim.
To be continued...
