Chapter 10

Preparation

Po walked slowly across the hall, following the trail of supposed "blood" Tigress shed. Or so he thought. The others quickly followed behind, while their master was still in Tigress' room, reading the letter over and over again. The trail led through the dining room, and out to the training grounds. There, Po and the others could see Tigress' footprints on the snow. The panda walked steadily across the field. Wouldn't Tigress be staggering if she tried to commit suicide? He asked himself, along with many other questions that popped up into his head.

"I am Tai Lung."

"You're not." Tigress stared.

"I'm not?" He looked himself over. "Oh. Okay you win. I'm not. Guess who I am."

"I have no time for your games. I know who you are, and you do too." Tigress hissed. She got into her battle stance, aware of how much of an advantage the white wolf had. "What did you come here for, to fight, or to..." She blinked, finding there was no other reason he came. "Or have you come back for the scroll?" She asked cleverly.

"Both, I should say. But for now I'm just taking back my revenge." He reached for his left side, prepared to withdraw his Katana. "Shit..." He just remembered that he left his sword with Tai Lung and his now dead girlfriend... without his sword, he was nothing!

"Aww... the puppy doesn't have his bone? Why doesn't he just use his own paws to fight?" The tiger mocked.

Skyler growled at Tigress. "Very well, I will." He got into an awkward stance. It seemed as if he was in Mantis' stance, where his left foot was slid forward, and the rest of his body was crouched down, ready to strike. Tigress squinted, as she cracked her knuckles.

"Tigress!" Viper yelled from behind, finding Tigress. "What are you doing?"

Tigress' eyes twitched to Viper, keeping her stance. "What does it look like I'm doing? I'm about to fight! You're not going to help?"

Po walked up to her. "Help with what? There's nothing to fight!"

"Yes there is, he's right-" She looked at the wolves direction. He was gone. "What the..." She swung her arms down, realizing he escaped upon the sight of the others. She slapped her head. "That wolf came back, and, and I was about to fight him! He was right in front of me, before you showed up!" She pointed to the panda.

"Is this some kind of excuse to leave the palace like you said in that letter?" Monkey demanded.

Tigress forgot she left her letter in her room, for all to see. "That was nothing. I was just... thinking." She looked away.

"Looks like you need to stop thinking." Po chuckled softly. "We thought you killed yourself..." The panda added. He walked up to her, as he slowly went to hold her hand. "I thought you were dead-"

"I'm not." She held up her paw, not taking his hand.

"It was ink, fools. Red ink." Master Shifu came in, frowning. He saw Tigress, but didn't care to look again. "Inside, now. It's too dangerous out here." He ordered everyone.

"Master?" Crane asked curiously.

"I'll tell you later.." He scanned the dark forest frantically. "You will know, soon. Inside!" Shifu spat. They all left Tigress standing there, dumbstruck. After moments of thinking, she finally walked back to the palace, while Sky sat there among the forest, eyes squinted at Tigress, growling. This'll be harder than I thought.

Tai Lung overlooked a canyon as far as the eye could see. How could that wolf travel that far overnight? He thought. Even in the snow? He guessed since Skyler was a white wolf, he was used to it. Plus he had a big fur coat to keep him warm, and he was a dog, giving him the better advantage in running. Tai Lung sighed as his thought took over. He soon shook them out of his head, and jumped off the cliff, opening his eyes and squinting from the wind now blowing in his face. After seconds of falling, he caught a glimpse of a solid rock on the side of the cliff. He pounced on it, and launched himself off of it. Once out, he spread his arms to imitate the bird: scroll 78. He soared for some while, until the canyon floor came into view. He landed and rolled for about a minute before stopping. The snow was a great landing, but it was freezing cold. He slowly got up, and looked to the sky. Daylight was coming.

The leopard jumped from rock to rock, pounding to the ground, crushing rocks in his way, and causing dust to roll. His paws were bleeding bad from the rough, freezing grounds. It took minutes of long silence just sprinting to get across a tiny bit of the canyon. By now the sun was rising, and he started to think Tigress was already gone. He pushed passed his sorrow and kept running, for now there was nothing else he could do.

It was early in the morning, and Master Shifu walked once again to the sleeping hall. He took his last step, and pounded on the wooden floor with the usual thump. The five rushed out of their rooms to stand by their door, in ready stance. "Good morning master." They all stood tall, all except for Tigress.

"Tigress?" He ordered. No answer came. He walked swiftly to her door and slid it open in a flash. He looked inside, finding her bed neatly made, along with her perfectly clean room. She was gone.

"Where is she, master?" Crane asked softly.

Master Shifu slid Tigress' door shut. Without answering, he walked off, now sighing. "Come outside. We're training with staffs today."

Tigress stood on the fire bed. She but her right fist on her left palm, and closed her eyes. She breathed hard. She wasn't very good at this track, therefore she had to perfect it by practicing it over and over again. Since she confronted Sky, she has to be well-trained in order to defeat him. One quick flame blew up in front of her, as she forcefully opened her tired eyes. Let it begin. She then got on all fours as flames spat up everywhere around her. She dodged them without a sweat. She swatted at the knob to make the flames shoot faster, as she moved around the pit, standing on her hands and jumping with her feet. She made it faster... faster... faster. She was now in basically fire, only not getting burnt, for she was dodging each flame as fast as lightning.

Seconds passed as she quickly lost her breath from running around so much. She reached for the fire knob once again, and lowered the firepower. The flames still came at the speed of light. She shocked up once a flame got her tail. In grief, she swatted at her tail, finding it made the flame worse. She quickly licked her fingers and put it out, while still dodging the flames. She worked extra hard now, since she had something to look upon: Fighting Skyler. The flames finally settled down, as she quickly got out of the pit. She panted hard, soon getting up again. Looking up, she didn't stop her training. Onto the swinging clubs of oblivion. No time to rest.

Viper held a 6 foot long, heavy wooden staff with her tail. She faced Master Shifu. "Get ready." Her master then stuck the stick into the ground, and jumped up, landing on it. She got into stance. She swatted at the staff Shifu was on. It flung all the way around, and he jumped off, grabbing it, and forcing it down upon Viper. She dodged it, and started to spin her staff. Shifu took the time to look it over, soon jumping into a weak spot in her spinning, swatting the staff off her tail. It went flying. Shifu grew angry as always. "Keep hold of your weapon! Freeze!" He nearly swatted her. He then took the staff and fixed her position. He touched her stomach a tad to the left. "Stay left; it hurts, but you'll get used to it. You'll be able to grasp a staff easier."

"Yes, Master." She fetched her staff once again, shivering.

"Monkey." He ordered.

No answer.

Shifu looked around. "Where is he?"

Po raised his shoulders. "Dunno. Probably off looking for Tigress."

Master Shifu grunted, as he called Mantis up.

Tai Lung raced up the canyon walls, scratching his fur from the sharp rocks. All he could think was, Is Tigress okay? Will I make it in enough time? What did that wolf do to her? He begged that she would at least still be there before the palace is completely destroyed by that wolf. He finally got up to the top, finding he was just a couple miles away from the town. He could barely see it. In relief, he made his way through the forest, until he got to the gate.

Tigress took hold of the Jian, a long, double-bladed sword that could only be well handled by Tigress herself. She had a very close friend named Song who used to live in The Valley of Peace, just below the Jade Palace, who taught her how to use it. Song was a blacksmith as a child, and she learned how to make many swords with simple scraps of metal she found on the ground. She made many things... she was also the one that introduced the piano, which is in many houses of the citizens now. When Tigress and Song were both young, Song was adopted and taken away to another town miles away from Tigress'. Tigress was left with this sword as a gift from her. Hopefully Tigress can go visit Song when she leaves the palace in search of Tai Lung. Although it was not much a part of her fighting style, she could learn how to weild a Jain. She had already learned much, but now, she had to perfect her style: The White Dragon.

Tigress slowly withdrew the Jian away from its leather case. She held it with two hands, slowly swinging it around to test it out. Surprised by its incredible movement, she felt the blade, accidentially cutting herself. It was still sharp. She smiled, soon bringing her finger up to her mouth, cleaning it.

"Tigress? We were looking for you." Monkey looked relieved. He saw the Jian sword, and automatically reacted. "Hey hey where'd you get that sword from?" He ran to her.

Tigress pulled the sword away from his grasp, and held it up, knowing he could just jump to get it. "A friend gave it to me. It's my most prized posession."

"Then why do you have it out?" Monkey asked, desperate to hold it.

The tiger looked away. "Just practicing."

"Practicing what?"

Tigress looked at her sword, and turned it too the side to show how thin it was. "Our White Dragon style of kung fu. I know I'm supposed to learn it further on in my training, but I need to learn it now."

"For what reason?" Mokey asked persistantly, still staring at the sword.

The tiger took a step foreward and swung. "To be prepared for another strike. By that wolf. He's coming back, and I know it."

"He is? How do you know?"

"If I told you, you wouldn't understand."

"We're friends, remember? You can tell me anything." Monkey smiled cheerily.

Tigress thought. "Fine. I confronted him just last night... and when i was about to fight him, he escaped. Reason? Because you guys just had to come to your rescue. I could have taken him myself." She swung again.

"That's a lie. You can't take him, no matter how many scrolls you've learned."

"It doesn't matter how many scrolls I've learned, it just matters how much I know. And I happen to know a bit of sword fighting."

Monkey sighed doubtfully, looking away. "Why is it that I'm the one learning all the lessons..." He then thought, making up his mand that he would help her. "Then you might as well improve at your sword fighting." He slowly made his way to the back of the training room, picking up a short stick. It was in the shape of a sword. It was wooden, but painted black. It was a rather beautiful training sword. "I'll help you train."

"That's not really-"

"It is! I'm not going to watch you fall just because you haven't held a sword before."

"I have held a sword before, and I know much."

"But you've never actually tried fighting an opponent with one. Now, hit me." Monkey grinned, getting into position.

Unsure, Tigress slowly swung at his sword. It cut Monkey's black, wooden sword sharply at first touch. They both stared at the sword's head, that now rested on the ground. The tiger looked at the sword. "I should start with a wooden sword first."

"Yes." Monkey went to pick up the swords end, in awe. "You should."

Skyler stood next to a hard, granite rock he smelt his new sword on. It was not going to be perfect, but it would be sharp. Sharp enough to cut through skin and bones. Holding a firm rock in his right hand, he slammed the burning hot piece of rock powerfully, grunting. It slowly shaped into the figure of a knife... now a sword... now a long sword. He then quickly hit the edges of the sword, breathing hard. He was sweating from the seeping lava coming out from a higher ground of the Valley of Peace. It happened to be on the mountain the Jade Palace was perched on. Sky prayed that the sleeping volcano would blow and take all the town's lives, so that he can take over. He dipped the sword into the lava once again, moaning from the burning pain the lava's steam set out. Quickly pulling it out again, it looked like the perfect sword. No... he needed to make it sharper. Sharper!

He grunted again and again as he slowly finished his sword. He looked at it, and smiled. "Good. Now all I will need is some thread..." He went to the river to cool the molten hot sword. He placed it in the freezing water, and went to find a living tree. Every tree around him was dead now: for it was winter. There was only about a foot of snow on the ground thankfully, compared to the three feet down by the Jade Palace. Oddly enough, he was at a higher elevation.

Walking to a tree that bore peaches, he looked at it. It was very near to the Jade Palace, and looked elderly. Too bad. He backed up, found it's spot of weakness, and sprinted towards it. Jumping high in the air, he formed the stance of a mantis, about to strike. In mid-air, he spun rapidly and found his big toe meeting the peach tree. He bounced off it, and landed. Picking his head up, the tree looked like it was in no damage. Smiling, he walked over to it. The tree slowly slid off the cutting point and fell, having Sky catch it easily. Many peaches fell. The tree died quickly, as the peaches laying on the ground shriveled up. Weird.

Sky walked back to the site where he made his soon to be sword, tree in hand. It was a large tree to be holding, but it was not heavy, therefore letting Sky hold it easily. Once next to his long Katana, he set the peach tree down. Cutting a branch, he slowly peeled it, producing perfectly strong, light green looking threads. While they were still a bit moist and flexible, Sky took the sword and wrapped the threads around the dull end. He did this many times, until a handle was made. He then applied a previously made sword butt to it, and burned it into place. While it was still hot, he engraved the words saying, "Skyler: Leader of Thoros, Dragon Warrior"

He then remembered his animals; being slaughtered by the army of Onne. The Onne... a group of fierce rhinos who always strike in thousands. They strived to protect the Valley of Peace. Sky looked down, remembering him, along with many old friends taking on them, failing greatly. Sorus: a polar bear who was fierce and mighty. He did not care about anything, for all he longed for was honor. Thailaan: a snow leopard who was a very strong attractive gal for her size. Kuwon: A wize and legendary warrior tourtis, 'One who fights for no meaning: for meaning is nothing but, a soon to be forgotten tale.' He use to quote. His grandfather was the founder of Kung Fu: he recalled his name was Oogway. And Miraji: A lynx who loved to joke around, but if you offend, he's all out with his double swords. He was a nasty one with double swords. He mostly based his martial arts off of the Black Dragon; a fierce and legendary fighting technique that only he and a select few knew. There were many others that he could not recall; all great warriors. The army of Thoros... now no more. He was the only one to survive, so he thought. He looked at his leg, as it was healed thankfully, but it bore a massive scar on his thigh.

Sky looked back at his sword, soon smiling. It will, come true. Him; the new Dragon Warrior. He swung at a tree multiple times, chopping it down without a sweat. It was sharp. Very sharp. He is prepared for a great battle: The battle of the Furious Five: The battle of the Ages, the... the... oh, hell. Let's just start.He started to run back down the hill, jumping up, and barely touching the tree's tips while he free-fell down to the Jade Palace. He was prepared, to be the next Emperor, the next Kung Fu Master, the next Legend; the next Dragon Warrior.

Tai Lung made his way up the endless steps, desperate to see what had happened to the Jade Palace. He had to first make his way around the gates, for the guards would have alerted Master Shifu, giving him permission to take Tai Lung out. He was on all fours, panting. Soon enough, he jumped high into the air, landing at the top of the steps. The floor cracked when he landed. He sighed hard, and looked up at the Jade Palace. Lowering his shoulders, he found nothing had happened. Where could that wolf be? He slowly walked past the boundaries, and stood on the steps of the entrance to the Training hall. Sighing in relief, he sat; watching... watching... waiting... blinking... sleeping.... No. He woke up, shaking his head. Stay... awake... He waited for Skyler to come for Tigress, so that then he could kill him, and protect the Dragon Warrior, and hopefully... be accepted back into his old home: The Jade Palace.

"Ha! Hiyaa!" Tigress jumped up into the air with the wooden sword towards Monkey, planting one of her feet on the ground, spinning, and slashing at his sword. He blocked the blow, and swung for her legs. She blocked the blow, and twisted his sword with hers, so that it went flying out of his hand. Monkey raised his eyebrows. "Impressive." Tigress was panting, as she looked out the window. She was now sure she was prepared. She will kill this twisted bitch, sword or not. She will, keep her place as a rightful master, and keep Po's place as the Dragon Warrior.