Chapter 4

The Tragedy

Hours passed, as the furious five slowly one by one fell asleep. Finally. Po stayed awake though, as he was prepared for anything that would come. They all knew Sky was out to kill Po and take his place, and they were prepared, but they were just so tired. Mantis rested calmly on Monkeys head, as Monkey rested against the wall. Viper and Crane both slept somewhat together, while Master Shifu was still passed out, who was next to them. Tigress was next to Monkey, as was Po, but Tigress was fast asleep on the hard wooden ground. Her paw was under her head, and she adjusted her position every once and a while. Why, once she accidentally rolled onto Po, as he blushed hard. Po kept his eyes tightly open though, for he was ready for anything that came at him, except Tigress of course, who rested her head on his belly now in use of a pillow.

A soft thump woke them all up with a gasp. Mantis fell off monkey, Crane dropped his hat on Viper, and Tigress just stretched, then looked up at Po, thinking, then quickly getting off him. She slowly got up, and looked out of the room. She looked left... then right in the hallway. Nothing, of course. "Come, follow." She ordered everyone with the flick of her wrist.

"What about Master Shifu?" Crane whispered.

"Nothing will happen to him.. hopefully." Tigress left the room. Po went next, then everyone else. "You remember the plan?" She whispered softly to Po.

Po nodded. "Yes." They slowly crept outside, and through some trees until they got to the forest. They then spied watchfully on the large area in which the hot steams rose. It was weak enough for them to see through it, all the way to the kitchen. They sat there for minutes.

Pmm! Tai Lung landed hard on the cement grounds, cracking it. His eyes were glowing wide.

"I thought you said that wolf beat him up?" Mantis asked curiously.

"I did... maybe he won?" Po answered, unsure.

Tai Lung stood there for many seconds, stagnant.

"What is he doing?" Tigress hammered.

"I... I dunno!" Po replied.

Viper suddenly had a thought that popped up in her head. "...what if he goes for Master Shifu?" She whispered, having a quiver in her voice. Po didn't answer, for he just watched... and waited.

"Tigress, Mantis, Crane, Viper, and Monkey! So very nice to meet you!" A voice came from the darkness behind them. They all turned around to Sky, who was staring all of them down, "And, who's this? The panda I confronted just a while ago? What are you doing here?"

No answer.

"Are you Wolf?" Viper asked, thinking differently about him.

"Just call me Sky. It's short for Skyler, but I don't really like that name." He walked slowly back and forth. Then quickly looked beyond them, and gasped, pointing. They looked behind them. Tai Lung was gone.

"This is a set up..." Tigress quickly came to the conclusion.

"Yes, yes it is." Sky quickly withdrew his sword and wrapped it around Po's neck. A sword? That does not correspond with kung fu! The others tensed up, quickly getting in position, as they were about to strike. "You move, and the dragon warrior dies." He eyed everyone, backing up into the moonlit path. In a quick moment, Tigress let her guard down, realizing how strong he looked, it actually looked kind of cunning. He wore long, black, ragged shorts that went to his shins nearly. Or were they pants? He also wore a green wristband on his right wrist, as she wondered what it meant. He had perfectly white fur, and as he smiled, he had perfectly white teeth, also. His tail was grey, along with the rest of his back. He had a rather large scar that ran down his chest. His sword was very wide and sharp she could see, as it already cut a small slit in the panda's neck. She felt dimly lightheaded for a second, then she settled down, and got back into position.

"Tai Ling.. err.. Lung told me everything about the dragon warrior." Sky grinned. "And how this fat bean came to be chosen." He then chuckled. "I still can't believe it. This bear, the new dragon warrior? I don't think so. So we've made an agreement, to kill the furious five and make Tai Lung the new dragon warrior, and me his apprentice, or kill the furious five, and make me the new dragon warrior, and he, my apprentice. It's your choice."

"What about Master Shifu?" Monkey demanded scarcely.

"Who? Oh, him. I guess he'll be in the same grave as you." He smiled.

Viper gasped, glancing at the Jade Palace. She could see Tai Lung jumping from limb to limb, carrying something in his hands. She, along with the others quickly went into shock, as they thought of their master being slaughtered right in front of their eyes. Tigress cursed under her breath, as she was about to strike, but then knew that would kill the panda. It was either him or Master Shifu.. she thought. No... she couldn't. She would be living with shame for the rest of her life. Shame, or sorrow?

"Furthermore, I will be killing this panda too. But after I get what I deserve." Sky growled.

"And-.. and what's that?" Po asked fairly in a slow and low tone.

"Where the Dragon Scroll is." The wolf snickered.

Tai Lung jumped in behind Sky, and he looked at Po straight in the eyes. "I have him."

"Good. Just put him in the water until he is no more. Ten tie these 5 up." The wolf ordered.

Tigress' heart fell to her stomach, and she clenched her fists. She slowly whispered, gradually getting louder. "I don't give a damn if you kill the panda, just as long as you don't kill my master! Tai Lung! Don't you have great memories for him? Don't you remember everything you went through with him, the good times... the-"

"The bad times?" The leopard interrupted. "Yes, I do remember the bad times we've spent together, the bones I've crushed, the bruises I bore, I remember it all."

"But who was there to fix the pains and sores that came from training? Who was there to cure you from your sorrow and loneliness? Who was there-"

"Enough!" Sky scowled. "Your master is gone and soon you will be too. There's use trying to soften Tai Ling up, because he's already hard as stone! Tai Ling you fool, drown him!"

Tai Lung quickly carried him to the water, slowly lowering him in, frowning in dissaproval.

"Tai Lung... please..." Viper pleaded. But it was too late. Master Shifu was in the hot springs, losing air by the second, having the furious 5 and Po watch. A tear sapped Tigress' cheek. She looked back up at TaiLung, who was also grimacing. Not mad, no, but sad in fact.

"Now... tie them up." Sky ordered. Tai Lung hesitated. "Now!" The wolf snapped.

Tai Lung slowly walked over to Tigress, holding a firm rope, and took her hands in his. He looked deeply into her now red eyes. "I'm sorry." He adjusted his jaw. "I'm so... so-"

"Now, you bastard, before I cut off your own tail!" Sky ordered once again.

Tai Lung looked back at the wolf, then slowly tied Tigress up by the hands and feet tightly, along with the others. It seemed like he wasn't at an alliance with Skyler.. more like a slave.

Po looked up at Sky. He opened his mouth, as his only words passed by his lips. "You shouldn't curse.."