Hey guys! So this is my favorite chapter for the time being!
But I won't tell you why… I'm evil… So uhm... Read, enjoy and review!
I do not own Kung Fu Panda!
Chapter 4 – Master Proelio
It turned out that it were some bears that made trouble in The Valley of Peace. They robbed the stores and hurt the people. And the worst thing was that it seemed like they were having fun. Tigress couldn't see anything funny about this.
The tiger snarled and the bandits stopped ravaging. A black bear that Tigress found as the leader smiled scornfully. He had a scar across his left eye and looked very threatening.
"So this is the famous Master Tigress," he said with his dark voice and walked closer.
Tigress was ready for a fight. Behind her back was her friends and Po. The other bears attacked them but ignored Tigress. The Furious Five and the Dragon Warrior fought back. Tigress wanted to help her friends that didn't make it that well but she had to keep her eyes on the leader that came closer and closer to her.
"I can't wait to see if you're that strong as people say," he growled.
Tigress sneered again but went worried. She was weak. She couldn't beat the bear that was two heads taller than her.
When the black bear saw that she hung back he laughed loud.
"Are you afraid?" he asked taunting.
He didn't wait for the answer but attacked Tigress the second after the last word was said.
Tigress fought back with all her powers and tried to block every hit and kick but still she got kicked in the stomach and winced in pain.
The bear laughed and kicked her again.
"I expected more from you, Master Tigress," he said and planted once again a kick in her stomach.
Those words filled Tigress with anger. When the leader tried to hit her she rose from her position and grabbed his paw. Then she hit him in the face again and again. She was furious. She was tired of being weak.
"Tigress! Help please?" Monkey yelled while fighting a brown and fast bear.
Tigress turned her attention to her friends that couldn't handle the other bears. They were too strong and too many.
The black leader took advantage of the tiger's interruption and took his knife from his sheath. One simple stab in the back and the tiger would be dead.
He raised his arm. But before he managed to stab the striped feline his knife was thrown out of his hands.
Tigress turned around when she heard the black bear growl. She didn't see the knife that was flying through the air and landed on the ground. The only thing she saw was a tiger just like her. And she couldn't believe what she saw. Was there really another tiger here in The Village of Peace? So instead of fighting she just stared at him.
He's fur was a littler darker than hers and his stripes not as figured as hers. He was about her age maybe older and he was taller than her and in good shape. He was wearing a green shirt with golden patterns and white pants.
He turned his back to the bear-leader and smiled at Tigress.
"You must be Master Tigress," he claimed.
Tigress didn't answer because in the same moment the black bear took the knife and tried to stab the male-tiger.
Tigress wanted to yell 'Look out!' but didn't make it. The stranger just turned around like he had seen it come and grabbed the bear's arm. The bear snarled thunderous and tried to hit the tiger with his other hand. But the tiger dodged and kicked the leader in the stomach so he fell to the ground.
The other bears had stopped fighting when they saw their master fall and the bear-leader came with an angry roar.
"Attack the male-tiger!" he commanded and tried unsuccessfully to stand up.
The bears didn't hesitate but ran towards the tiger.
Tigress took a step forward to help but the other tiger raised his hand.
"Just let me do this," he smiled and Tigress didn't know how he could smile in this situation.
The last thing the male-tiger did was to take a deep breath. And then all the bears were fighting against one tiger. There were about fifteen big and strong bears but still the tiger could block all of their attacks and hurt them instead. Actually it seemed like he couldn't get hurt. He was fast and supple. Every time there was just one single weak spot he used it to his advantage. At last the bears were exhausted and gave up.
"Run and don't come back," the tiger said to them, he wasn't smiling anymore.
And then the bears took their harmed leader and ran.
When they couldn't see them anymore the tiger started smiling again. The Furious Five and Po was silent and stared at him. And when Tigress realized that the tiger just let the bandits go she went mad.
"What do you think you're doing?" she asked angrily.
The tiger smiled even more when he saw her glance and it seemed like he thought it was amusing.
"To be honest I just saved your life," he answered and took the knife up from the ground.
"So you think that you just can come running here and take the responsibility for our job?" Tigress snarled.
The tiger looked entertained at Tigress and turned his attention at the knife.
"Actually yes because it didn't seem like you were doing your job very well."
Tigress went even more angry and even the others were surprised. The stranger just insulted the protectors of The Valley of Peace.
"If you're that good at protecting people why did you let the bears get away?" Tigress roared.
The cheeky male-tiger walked completely close to Tigress. He didn't smile and his golden eyes looked into hers.
"Everybody deserves another chance," he said with full earnest.
Tigress looked back or she stared back.
"Who are you? What's your name?" she asked quietly.
"My name is Proelio. People call me Master Proelio. I'm here to train The Furious Five and The Dragon Warrior."
Viper gasped and Po squealed in happiness. The other boys were speechless. And Tigress didn't get surprised or she didn't show it.
"I imagined you older," That was the only thing she said and then she joined her group.
Master Proelio shrugged while he was admiring the knife. "Lots of people say that."
"This is awesome!" Po couldn't hold it back any longer. "It's you! Mater Proelio! It's so awesome meeting you!"
Master Proelio smiled again. "Lots of people says that too"
"Why didn't you answer on our letter, Master?" Viper asked carefully and looked at Master Proelio.
Tigress froze. She forgot to give Master Shifu the letter! Now he will be so angry at her! She put her paw in her pocket and could feel the paper.
"I did. Didn't you get it?" Master Proelio was also curios about it. His eyes looked at Tigress like he knew that she was hiding something. "Didn't you get my letter?"
Tigress knew that he was asking her but still it took some seconds before she could talk.
"No. We didn't get your letter."
"Well, let's go back to the Jade Palace," Mantis said, "I will prefer being home before midnight so I can get some food and rest."
And then Tigress realized that the moon was shining on the sky and not the sun. It wasn't that dark because the lights from the ruined stores were still lighting. Now you could see the starts on the dark sky and The Valley of Peace seemed barren.
It was also there Tigress realized how hungry she was. She hadn't eaten for almost two days. She hadn't been hungry until now.
Mantis looked at Master Proelio with awe. "Master Proelio, are you coming us?"
Master Proelio nodded. "Yes. I have really looked forward to meet the great Master Shifu."
"Then let's go," Tigress said without showing any feelings and started walking towards the palace.
The others followed her. Master Proelio walked right next to her still while he was smiling and examined the knife from the bear-leader.
"Interesting," he mumbled while he looked at the knife.
Tigress ignored him; she meant that he was even more annoying than Po. She had to admit that he was a good fighter. But he insulted her and the rest of The Furious Five! Okay, he was right. They didn't make it that well. But there was something about the bears. Tigress just didn't know what.
Later at the evening.
Master Shifu waited for them outside the palace. When he saw Master Proelio he bowed. Master Proelio did the same.
"It's an honor meeting you, Master Shifu," Master Proelio said.
"It's an honor meeting you too, Master Proelio," The red panda looked at his student and then at Master Proelio again. "Why didn't you send a letter back?"
"I did. But perhaps my bird couldn't find you," Master Proelio answered and again he looked a little suspicious at Tigress.
Tigress didn't say anything. Maybe it was best not to tell her master that she forgot to give him the letter.
Master Shifu looked over his students with a frown.
"What happened in the village?" he asked.
"The bandits were very strong, Master," Tigress explained, "We couldn't handle them."
"If Master Proelio hadn't come we would be dead," Viper continued, "Thanks Master Proelio."
"You're welcome," Master Proelio still kept his eyes on Tigress and Tigress tried not to look at him.
"And Master Proelio was awesome!" Po said, "He fought them until they just ran away! He could have killed them if he wanted to!"
Their master didn't seem to like the idea that the bandits got away and Tigress smiled for herself.
"Master Shifu, I don't think that it is normal bandits we are dealing with," Master Proelio said and gave the knife to Master Shifu.
Master Shifu examined the knife.
It seemed like a normal dagger but it was the notch that took the master's attention. There was cut a circle. Inside the circle there was cut four arrows pointing in different ways. One was pointing north, one west, one east and one pointing south.
"The Rulers of The Four Winds," Master Shifu said. "Master Proelio and I need to discuss this privately. You can get some food while we're talking."
And then Master Proelio and the red panda walked away.
"This can't be good," Crane mumbled and walked towards the dining room with the others.
Tigress didn't move. She just stood there while she tried to hear the master's whispering voices.
"Tigress, are you coming?"
Tigress nodded and then she joined her friends. She really needed some tofu…
"And you are sure that what you are telling me is true, Master Proelio?" Master Shifu asked.
The tiger nodded. The knife lay on the table in front of them.
"I am sure. The bears are from west," Master Proelio answered. "The leader had a scar across his left eye."
The masters knew what was happening now. The Rulers of the Four Winds were back.