Shout Outs:
Whitee Foxclaw: Thank you for the compliments. I really try my best to visualize what is going on for the reader. *Hides Po Plushy* No you cannot have it. *Taunts Whitee* Come and get it. ^^
Hairu: Po is not a heartbreaker, but the ladies love his fluffiness. ^^
babycakes22: Thank you for the kind words, and I look forward to your awesome reviews!
RidingtheRoughWaters: *Gets out interrogation light* "Who are you working for and how did you know!" Just playing, maybe there will be… maybe not. As for Monkey the flirt, yes… he is a bad influence on Po^^.
As for the others who reviewed: Thank you for taking the time to! It means a lot to me.
I do not own Kung Fu Panda, Dreamworks does.
The Angel of Death
Valley of Peace, Jade Palace
The South China Bengal tiger was curled into a ball on top of her mat. Her chest rose and fell softly, as her tail moved swiftly back and forth. Tigress tried to rest, but thoughts of Po kept running through her mind. She heard a tap on her door, which caused her head to rise up. She realized she still had the panda plushy out in the open, so she threw it in her closet quickly to prevent any more embarrassment. Tigress sighed as she walked from her closet to the entryway, opening the door. She is a persistent one.
Tigress glared daggers at the green and brown snake. "Can I help you, Viper?"
"You know why I'm here. You got a minute?"
Tigress rolled her eyes and nodded, as she let Viper slither into her room.
Viper coiled into a circle and inquired; "So, how did it go?"
Tigress decided to skip the other details and go straight to the root of the problem. "Everything was going great, till we were about to kiss and..."
Viper leaned in and coerced, "And?"
"I ran away and left him sitting there."
Viper looked at Tigress utterly dumbfounded; she shook her head, thinking she misheard the striped feline. "You did what?"
Tigress growled in frustration and repeated hesitantly; "I–I got up... and left him when we were about to have our first kiss."
"Smooth move, Tigress," Viper replied sarcastically with a slight chuckle.
After the glare of demise was given to the serpent, Tigress continued; "Look I know it was rude and idiotic. I am working on an apology."
"So, why did you do it? Don't you like him?"
Tigress contemplated, I should tell her that I love him. I mean, even though she is a pain, she could give me some decent advice. Like Master Shifu told me... learn my feelings. Gods this is annoying.
Tigress sighed heavily and crossed her arms; her tail twitched in agitation. "Well, the problem is not that I like Po, but that I am in love with him."
Viper smiled victoriously, "I knew it! So, why is that a problem?"
I rather train all day and every day, than deal with these stupid emotions! Tigress complained mentally.
After a moment of agony, Tigress finally confessed; "Look, Viper, I am a tiger and that makes me a natural loner. I grew up under the strictest kung fu master in all of China. It is hard for me to handle these feelings. I am-"
"Excuses, you're afraid," Viper interjected knowingly.
How did she-?
Viper continued, "Okay, Tigress, I understand. The world made you put on a mask to keep everyone from hurting you; to look like the strong Master Tigress. I don't expect you to let your guard down all the way for us, but I believe that you should for Po. At least one person, the person you love, should see you for who you truly are."
"So, you are saying that the way I am now, is not me? That is confusing, Viper."
"Ever since Po came into our lives, you have acted differently. Do you think those are changes or are you just finally being yourself?"
I hate it when she has a point, Tigress thought irately.
"Look, Tigress, you can be the hardcore kung fu master Po talks about and still be a loving woman for him. Caring for someone is not weak, but not accepting who you really are… is."
Caring for someone is not weak? Master Shifu said the same thing, Tigress realized.
"You are right, Viper; as Master Oogway told me before: life is all about balance. Thank you."
"Exactly, no problem, just take your time. You will get use to it," Viper responded with a warm smile. "Let's get to the kitchen. Po and Monkey should be back any minute to cook us dinner."
Tigress nodded with a small smirk, as she followed her serpent friend out of her room and towards the cookery.
Viper is right. I will take this slowly. Po and I will be friends for now until I get my emotions in order. I have nothing but time. It will still be difficult, but I will try my best, for him.
Valley of Peace, the Pool of Sacred Tears
Dusk fell on the Pool of Sacred Tears, as the rigid mountain peaks consumed the vast, florid sun. Haze of red and orange tones lingered in the distance between the dispersed and rounded bluffs. The heavens were painted beautifully with purple, red, and peach hues – dashes of white from the stars that could be seen. The placid yin-yang pool reflected little yellowish lights that flickered randomly, as the fireflies hovered closely, ushering nightfall.
Two warriors relaxed in the lotus position, while the cool drafts bustled the tall green grass around them. After the comrades sparred, they decided to meditate before the darkness of the evening befell them. It was a calm end to an otherwise busy and eventful get together.
The primate rose to his feet, leaning on his sturdy bamboo staff. "Po, we need to get going. It's almost dinner time and you're the cook."
Po's eyes opened instantly with a large rumble that came from his stomach. "I can totally go for some noodles. Good call, man."
"Looks like your fist hungers for justice, again," Monkey jived, as he helped lift Po to his feet.
Po tapped his round, soft belly and chuckled under his breath. "Sometimes I wonder if I have two mouths. My stomach sure likes to speak a lot."
Monkey stood upright; he twirled his staff with a chuckle. "Two mouths? How about two stomachs?"
Po glared for a moment and then responded agitatedly; "You should be a comedian man. I mean-"
*Snap*
Suddenly Po stopped, as his ears perked up to the slight disturbance that echoed behind him. Monkey recognized his facial expressions and nodded with a fierce determination; the two warriors jumped back to back in their defensive stances.
"Show yourself! Get ready to feel the awesomeness of the Dragon Warrior and Master Monkey!" Po yelled with his signature grin.
A feminine voice laughed deviously; "Impressive, usually my targets are already dying when they catch wind of my presence. No matter, you cannot fight… what you cannot see."
Before Po could respond, a barrage of blades bolted in all directions from the dense, atramentous forest towards the comrades. Every shard of metal was deflected with Po's paws and Monkey's spinning bamboo staff, safely sending them into different directions.
"Good one, Po," Monkey acknowledged, as his brown eyes scanned the area frantically.
Po nodded, peering into the lush vegetation. How was this assassin able to send blades in all different directions? Is there, like, more than one?
Sheva gazed upon the opponents with a confident smirk. Now that I know their weak point-
Suddenly, she ran quickly and threw the blades at Po and Monkey again, yet this time she leaped above them to attack simultaneously.
Po and Monkey thwarted the second flurry of knives, but as soon as the last blade was deviated Sheva plummeted from above landed a split kick to the back of the warriors' heads. She recognized their dazed expressions when they stumbled forward, and decided to assault the primate first, since his back was turned towards her.
Sheva growled and lunged at Monkey ferociously; she unsheathed the katana on her back to land a deadly blow.
"Monkey!" Po warned, as he staggered back, "Tail Bomb of Awesomeness!"
Monkey heeded the command with a grin and dropped the bamboo staff; he immediately did a back flip to prevent the sword from impaling his backside. While in the air, he grabbed Sheva's wrists – the feline looked up at him in utter surprise as she blurred past – with his tail and, with his momentum, threw her at an expecting Po. Sheva flew backwards uncontrollably; the sudden momentum caused her to drop the blade – the sword skipped across the ground.
You two think it is going to be that easy? I am known as the Angel of Death for a reason…
While Sheva still flew at the panda, she reached into her black vest and pulled out three blades in between her fingers. Suddenly, she turned effortlessly and threw the knives at Po. Shocked and unprepared, he managed to avert two of them, but one pierced through his skin, puncturing the supraspinatus muscle. Po winced in pain, as the blood spurted in the air from the weapon lodged into his shoulder; this gave Sheva the opening she needed and landed a direct blow to Po's jaw. His skin and fat rippled from the massive impact; he was instantly launched into a tree, cracking the trunk in half.
"Po!" Monkey yelled, as he picked up the staff from the ground and ran to the injured panda.
Sheva landed gracefully on the ground with a devilish smile. Not so fast primate.
Without delay, she roared and dove at the primate expeditiously, grabbing the katana from the dirt surface in the process. Monkey immediately spotted a shadowy blur in his peripheral vision and braced for the attacks. Sheva launched herself at the primate and threw an onslaught of intricate moves with her katana. Monkey tried to dodge and deflect them with his bamboo staff, but her quickness was overwhelming.
She's way too fast. I can't–
Before Monkey finished his thoughts, Sheva's katana slashed through his staff, cutting it in half. She then rapidly planted a kick directly into his diaphragm, knocking the air out of the primate's lungs – breaking two of his ribs in the process. Monkey gasped for air and winced in excruciating pain, as he slid backwards against ground from the force of Sheva's blow.
Sheva walked slowly towards her victim with a sadistic grin. Monkey examined the dark figure in front of him and all he saw were cerulean eyes that seemed to peer through his soul.
Monkey panted and gripped his chest; "What do you want from us?"
Sheva chuckled darkly; she drew back her katana to finish off the primate with the glint of remorselessness in her eyes. "Simple, I want you both to die."
Po regained his composure and beheld the assassin, who had Monkey by his collar and the sword pointed towards his neck. I need to do something fast.
Without a second thought, the Dragon Warrior pulled out the blade embedded into his shoulder; his blood instantly gushed onto the ground, and he threw it at the assailant. As the knife twirled through the air, Po simultaneously dashed towards his target with all his might. My turn…
Sheva noticed that the Dragon Warrior was charging at her, but did not notice the blade until the last second. She leaned back to avoid the sharp metal yet it was too late; it left a laceration across her right cheek – cutting through her skin like warm butter – tearing off her black hood. She hissed at the sharp pain with the warm, metallic blood that tickled down her cheek.
"LARGE BELLY OF DEVASTATION!" Po yelled fiercely, as he leaped forward and stuck out his stomach with his arms behind him.
What the f- Not fast enough to swing her katana, she dropped it and crossed her arms to block the attack. Po's stomach engulfed the feline, and then instantly propelled her backwards. She tumbled across the landscape uncontrollably; her attire ripped with cuts that gashed her body from the jagged surface.
Sheva's rotations finally halted, as she landed on her side with a resounding thud. She grimaced in affliction, as she tried to shake the dizziness. That panda is not to be taken lightly... literally. No matter, time to even the odds. She stumbled to her feet with her paw caressing the tender wound on her head and waited for her vision to clear.
Po kneeled beside Monkey and carefully lifted him to his feet. "You alright, brother?"
"Yeah, Po, I'll live. Man that chick is fast," Monkey wheezed – his face squinted in pain – as he grabbed his ribs in discomfort. "Did you take her out?"
Po grasped his shoulder painfully. Blood flowed from the wound, staining his white pelt. "I don't know. Get ready just in case."
Po and Monkey stood in their defensive stances, waiting for the inevitable counter attack. Suddenly, small white balls impacted the ground in front of the two warriors, as it let out a thick, dark green mist. Their lungs burned and their eyes watered, as the substance was inhaled.
Po coughed deeply and his vision blurred. "Oh man, this is worse then when I tried to cook rice in my stomach by eating it raw and drinking boiling water."
Sheva laughed heinously and strolled around her dazed opponents with an arrogant smile. They have no chance in touching me now.
"What did you-," Monkey gasped and gripped his chest; "-do to us?" He went weak, leaning his body on Po for support. He saw double and barely moved; the world around him was spinning.
"The poison should be taking full effect. Your attacks are now obsolete," Sheva informed coldly. "So, any last words before I end your existence."
"Yeah, I got something for you, buddy. Get ready to feel the thunder!" Po used his last ounce of strength and lunged at her with a defiant assault.
Sheva was caught by surprise and tried to block all of his attacks. Yet, one punch landed in her abdomen – knocking the air from her lungs – as blood spewed from her mouth. Po pulled his arm back for a haymaker, but the poison finally settled in, causing him to collapse on bended patella.
The lioness breathed heavily while on her hands and knees; the blood dripped and saturated the dirt from her maw and the cut on her cheek. I see why he is the Dragon Warrior. Nobody has ever landed attacks on me. He has stamina. She rose up from the ground – slightly stumbling – and wiped the red liquid from her lips. She pulled a dagger from her ripped vest and kicked the Dragon Warrior on his back. Po tried with all his might, but couldn't move away fast enough.
"I'm sorry, panda, it's just business. Nothing personal," Sheva then pulled her arm back and trusted the sharp metal forward.
So, this is how it ends? Po closed his eyes, and waited for his demise.
Before the dagger could reach its target a brown and tan blur went in front of Sheva. The blade impaled his back, piercing through the trapezius muscle and slightly puncturing the right lung.
The Dragon Warrior's irises jolted open and widened, as he saw Monkey, his inseparable brother, in front of him. Blood trickled slightly from his mouth, but he held a warm smile at Po.
"Kick her ass, man;" suddenly, Monkey closed his eyelids and fell forward lifelessly onto Po's body.
Po breathed sporadically – short panic-like. Tears poured from the Dragon Warrior's eyes, as he embraced his friend tightly. "Monkey!"
A/N: Thank you for taking your time to read the story! Please take a couple of seconds to review, I want to know what y'all think.