Chapter 4: Curse of the Amulet
"Man I feel like a brand new kitten. With this amulet I am stronger and faster than I ever could imagine. As long as I wear this I can always keep Po and my family safe," Tigress purred as she stroked the amulet affectionately. Then a dreadful thought came to her as she wondered if she was still too weak. Last night she had another dream of Shen killing Po and wondered if this was a sign saying she was still too weak. Would she lose Po because she still wasn't strong enough or fast enough to keep him safe? Tigress shook her head and said," No I will become stronger and faster so I will never lose Po".
Just then the amulet glowed a deep red and covered Tigress from head to tail with a red light. Her back began to ache as it moved and shaked. Falling on all fours she moaned out in pain as her mouth began to hurt. Soon two huge bat wings sprouted out of her back and two bat fangs grew in her mouth. Crawling over to the pool beside her, she looked down and gasped at her own reflection. Her wings were a deep black and her new fangs were white and sharp but what made her gasp was her eyes were no longer golden but a deep red. "Is that me?" she asked in wonder. Touching both wings and fangs and felt they were real. "Well since I have wings let's see how well they work," Tigress said.
She leaped in the air and flew through the sky. Feeling the wind beneath her fur, as she soared higher and higher, letting out a laugh as she felt the power flowing through her. "I never felt so powerful; I must share this gift with Po. Maybe if I bite him then he will become like me and together we can protect our family and home," she said happily. Flying off to the Jade Palace she snuck into Po's room and left him a small message on his bed. Then she was gone in a flash as she waited for Po to read the note and be able to share her gift.
Po went into his room and saw a note on his bed. He read what it wrote and this is what it said.
Dear Po,
Meet me in the woods after dinner. I want to show you something amazing.
Love,
Tigress
Po wondered what Tigress wanted to show him but whatever it was it would have to wait. For he heard Shifu calling him and the Five. He ran into the hall outside the Hall of Heroes and saw the Five minus Tigress standing before a terrified Shifu. "Students, something terrible has happened. A magical and powerful item is missing from the Hall of Heroes and I need you all to help me find it," Shifu said trying to look calm.
"What is this item Master?" Po asked.
"The Amulet of the Bat," Shifu said almost trembling in fear.
"The what?" they all asked together.
"Long ago a fruit bat by the name of Lin wanted to be strong enough and fast enough to protect his wife Nina from harm. No matter how much he trained he could never be faster or stronger than what he was. So, he went in search of a magical answer. During his travels he found a book that could make magical items. One spell was able to make someone faster and stronger than any other being. Lin practiced for many months until he formed the Amulet of the Bat. A simple amulet in the form of a bat with red ruby eyes. Once he put it on he became faster and stronger than he ever imagined and took himself and the book home. For many years he was happy till his precious Nina became ill and was going to die. Lin thought if he bit her then the magic that was in the amulet would flow into her making her as stronger and fast like him. But sadly all magic comes with a price. Once he bit her he drained her life force and was helpless to stop until she was dead. Horrified at what he had done he made one more item a red box with gold on the sides that could contain the amulet where it would do no more harm. Burned the book and gave the box to Oogway and then killed himself to join Nina in the afterlife. And from that time on it had been safely locked up till now," Shifu said sadly.
"So, this amulet can make someone really fast?" Crane asked.
"Yes," Shifu said nodding his head.
"And they become super strong?" Viper asked.
"Again that is correct," Shifu said.
"What about heightening their senses?" Mantis asked.
"I suppose it is possible but that is not important. We need to find the amulet before it does harm to someone," Shifu said growing annoyed. Po and the Five all looked at each with sad faces.
"Master we may know who has the amulet," Po said rubbing the back of his head. Once they told Shifu about Tigress's strange behavior he went three shades whiter.
"We have to get that amulet off before she tries to bite someone," Shifu said.
"I am meeting her in the woods in a little bit. Maybe I can convince her to take it off," Po suggested.
"I don't know Po the power can be addicting we may have to fight her to get it off," Shifu said.
"Well you all work out a plan and I will convince Tigress to take it off. If not I will return here as fast as I can," Po said. He headed off to the woods to meet Tigress. It was now dark and he waited in the middle of the woods. "Tigress I am here," he called but got no reply.
A rustling noise was heard and Po said," Ti, that you?"
"Hello Dumpling," a voice purred. Po turned around relieved but soon his face turned to terror. Tigress did stand before him but she had huge bat wings, bat fangs and her eyes were a deep red.
"You look different," he said smiling trying to sound calm.
"It is this amulet Po, with it I have become a faster and stronger being now I can always keep you, our family and home safe," Tigress said with a smile.
"Come on Ti, you don't need an amulet to make you stronger or faster. You were plenty strong and fast and I like you just the way you are. I need you to take that amulet off Ti, it is evil and it will cause some harm," Po said calmly.
"Ha, if I was such a great protector how come I couldn't save you from Shen's cannon? I almost lost you and now as long as I wear this I will never lose you again," Tigress said. "This amulet is good Po, join me and you shall become like me and together we can protect our family and home from all evil," she said stepping closer to him.
"Ti, I can't that amulet is evil it will kill people please take it off if not for my sake then yours. Tigress, please I am begging you take it off," Po pleaded.
"I can't," Tigress said saddened by Po's face.
"Then I can't join you but I know how I can save you," he said and ran off into the woods.
"Po, wait come back!" Tigress cried but he was gone. A tear fell from her face as she said," We will be together my love, I promise," then flew after Po.
Author's Note: Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I will have the next chapter be where chapter one left off so no one will be confused. Please review.