Chapter Four: A Friend's Request

Hey there everybody I am so excited to continue this story me and Shadow have worked day and night to get to this point and it's all thanks to your reviews! See more reviews the faster these chapters are written. Thanks again to all those who have reviewed so far. :) Anyway on with the show.

It was the morning after General Sage's arrival and she decided to stay for breakfast but the others made this a opportunity to get to know her better considering they had no time to before or after dinner.

"So General Sage, how do you know our Po?" Viper asked after witnessing the two embrace from earlier.
"Oh we are old friends," Sage said smiling. Tigress let out a silent growl but no one heard it.
"It is a true honor to talk to you again General Sage, I also see that we never really gave our self's a proper introduction. So I will start, I am Master Shifu, and these are my students. Master Viper, Master Monkey, Master Crane, Master Mantis and lastly Master Tigress, the leader and my daughter," Shifu said.
"It is an honor to formally meet all of you, you all look just like the action figures that Po made when we were kids," Sage said bowing to them.
"Come let's eat some breakfast," Master Shifu said leading them all into the barrack's kitchen. Crane sat by Viper and Mantis sat next to Monkey. Tigress sat by Po but so did Sage. Master Shifu sat at the head of the table and they began to eat.
"So, General Sage what is it like being a general?" Monkey asked.
"Yeah and with all due respect I didn't know they had women generals," Crane said nervously. Viper and Tigress gave him odd looks and he hoped he didn't offend them.
"To answer your question Master Monkey being a general is a great honor. It was tough work one wrong move and someone you know could be killed. And please call me Sage," she replied. "And yes Master Crane it is rare to have a woman general but I was the most skilled fighter and I had to train harder than any soldier and now I have earned the highest honor," Sage said proudly.
"Sounds like someone else we know," Viper said winking at Tigress.
"That's my girl," Po said smiling at Sage. Tigress glared as she tightened her grip on her cup till it almost broke.
"Thanks Po, by the way this food tastes familiar," Sage said sipping the soup.
"It should because I cooked it," Po said.
"Of course the Secret Ingredient Soup that you and your dad make but you only make it on special occasions," Sage purred.
"Yeah meeting an army general classifies as a special occasion," he told her.
"So, are you the cook here? Because as much as I missed you Po I really need to speak with the Dragon Warrior. I have to tell him something important," Sage said growing serious.
"Well look no further Sage for I am the Dragon Warrior," Po said smiling wider.
"So, the rumors were true about you defeating Tai-Lung and Shen?" Sage asked.
"All true but I didn't do it alone my friends all helped me I couldn't win without them," Po said looking at the Five and Shifu with respect.
"Well I am so glad you are the Dragon Warrior Po, but may I speak with you in private?" she asked. Everyone looked at them with curious faces as they waited to hear Po's response.
"Um sure if Master Shifu wouldn't mind?" Po asked.
"Not at all go to your room if you like," Shifu said and Po bowed and led Sage to his room.
"Wonder what she needs to ask him?" Crane asked.
"I don't know I hope it isn't bad," Monkey said.
This Sage girl better not try anything, Tigress thought as she watched Po and Sage leave the table. Po led Sage to his room and they sat down on his bed.
"Alright Sage what did you need to ask me?" he said.
"Okay Po I am getting straight to the point here. I found him Attila the Hun, he is close and he is threatening war on China. My troops and I will hunt him down and bring him to justice. What I am going to ask you will be difficult and I will respect whatever decision you will make," she said standing up to face him. "Po, I want you to be my second in command as we hunt for Attila," she told him.
"What, you want me to leave the Valley of Peace to join the army with you!?" Po asked in shock.

"Po it's a great idea didn't you remember the emperor's message from last night only his army will be allowed to fight Attila. But if you were to join the army the emperor would have to let you fight." Sage said as a matter of fact. Plus I want the Dragon Warrior on our side for I heard he was the best warrior out there. But to my surprise he is also my closest and dearest friend, remember Po?" she asked revealing her necklace. Po opened his drawer to reveal his necklace and the two necklaces were joined.

"I remember," he said softly. Rubbing the back of his neck he turned away from Sage. One of his dreams was to join the army but he couldn't just leave his friends and his dad. But Attila did cause Sage so much pain. Po often worried that revenge would cloud her judgment and if he went with her then he could keep her balanced like he did when they were children. He faced her and said, "Sage it would be an honor, I accept".
"Oh thank you Po, I knew I could count on you. But we have to leave tonight so let's tell your friends and Master," Sage said. They went back to the dining hall and Sage squealed with excitement. "That is so AWESOME! Yeah you and me fighting like in the good old days this is going to be so great". And with that they embraced in a tight bear hug happy to start there new adventure.

Back at the table everyone had started to get worried, because Po and Sage had been talking for a hour.
She better not take Po away, wait what am I thinking of course he would never leave us ever, Tigress thought and then Po and Sage entered the room and told them everything that was discussed the plan, the loophole in the emperor's order, and so on.

"And I said yes," Po said looking at his friends. They all were shocked and Tigress face fell fighting the fear that was breaking her heart.

"Po are you sure?" Shifu asked.

"Yes Master I need to help Sage," Po said.
"Very well I approve you may go," Shifu said.
"Thank you Master, I have to leave tonight I am going to pack," he said.
"I will meet you outside" Sage said. Po went to his room and the others left to wash the dishes and the kitchen. Tigress instead went to Po's room to talk him out of this.
"Po, you can't go," she said entering his room.
"Tigress please go I need to pack," he said not looking at her.
"No I am not leaving. You have to stay here we are a team we need you," Tigress said. She wanted to grab him and hold him close and to tell him that she loved him. Then he would stay by her side where he belonged.
"Look Ti, I know you are worried but I have to you can't come it's a private matter," Po explained.
"But you have to let me go with you," Tigress said firmly.
"No," Po said quickly looking up at her. He was worried that if she did go he would be worried about protecting both her and Sage. Po knew that they could handle themselves but he cared a lot about Tigress like he was in love with her. He had a huge crush on her since he was a kid and to lose her or Sage would be unbearable. "The village needs you here," he said more gently.
"The village needs you too," Tigress cried now getting angry. "Why do you want to go join the army? You never wanted to go before," she said.
"Your wrong I did want to go before but I had my dad to think of so I stayed," Po said.
"You still have him to think about what has changed?" she demanded.
"Sage needs me more right now. Look Tigress I am coming back I promise," Po told her. He tried to hug her but she stepped back with tears in her eyes.
"Just like when you came back from the dead?" she asked bitterly.
"Ti," he said gently.
"No go to the army Po, apparently this Sage girl is more important than us," Tigress said storming out of his room and slamming the door to her room. He heard her sobs and he frowned as he joined Sage outside. His goodbyes were quick and he didn't know it but a pair of golden eyes were watching him.
I can't lose him and I won't lose him. I will protect you Po even if you don't know it, Tigress thought and thought of a plan to protect Po without him knowing.

What will Tigress do? How will Po handle a war situation tune in next time and keep reviewing peace. :)