Max has got a huge amount of support for making history...just before the actual competition, there's gonna be a pre-match. A little mini-match to test the participants' skills before the actual tournament.

Chapter 11: Max's Support

After a couple of days of training, Max was amped up for the pre-tournament coming tomorrow and as he was about to leave the Jade Palace, he saw only Takami coming out of the Palace Doors and he said, "Hey, Max. Can you come over for a second? There's something I wanna show you."

Max follows Takami in and as he entered the doors, he saw all of the Hazards and the kung-fu masters standing there and the little tiger cub was pretty much surprised and asked, "What's going on?"

"Maximus Bushido-Akio...we all just came by to wish you the best of luck in the pre-tournament tomorrow. Of all my years of watching all of my students hard at work for their training, I've never seen anyone so committed and high focused than you are...at such a young age too." Shifu added.

"Yeah, I mean...it's like you gave us masters a run for our money. Maybe you should be a kung-fu master. You can take on different missions, tackle bad guys and save China and we'll sit back and let you do your thing." Monkey added.

"Except for Tigress." Mantis added.

Takami spoke up for Tigress' behalf and he turned to Max and said, "I think what Mantis isn't trying to say is...we're all very proud of you for working so hard and sticking with it. I mean...there aren't any nine year olds like you to do what you do."

"That'll be a tough act to follow after a talent like that." Viper stated.

Po then heads towards Max and he said, "If at any moment you need a coach, just count on the Dragon Warrior to give you your team spirit."

"Yeah, that'll work. You can be my coach and most of you guys will be the cheerleaders." Max added.

Kiba blinked his eyes in surprise after he heard the term 'cheerleader' and he asked, "I won't have to wear a skirt, right?"

"Nah, you're good. You can just cheer me on." Max replied.

Kiba then took a huge sigh of relief after Max cleared this up and he said, "Oh, good...because I would be so embarassed if I actually wore a skirt."

"There was one time you did, Kiba. And I was laughing so hard that my sides were gonna hurt...especially seeing your butt crack." Faith added.

Kiba really got embarassed when Faith mentioned the butt crack and he said, "I thought you'd forgotten about it."

Layla clears his throat and he said, "Before we unintentionally fill Max's head with disturbing images, let's not forget why we're here."

"Good point, Lay. Whatever happens out there in the pre-game, you're gonna do the best you know you can do. It's a build-up for the actual battle." Takami added.

"Yeah, everything we trained for...I can't wait to see it in use." Kiba said, excitedly.

Max definitely felt the support from everyone around him and the second his back is turned, his entire adopted family came in to give out their undying support and that made Max feel a lot more happier than ever and Mako said to him, "We just wanna wish you the best of luck. We just wanna let you know that regardless of what the results will be, just know that you're doing the best you can do and that you're still a winner in your heart. That's what my brother would say if he's here right now."

Tigress figured that that advice was something you'd say before you lose and she said, "But doesn't it concern you if someone will say their best isn't good enough? Max might crack under pressure and lose and it'll destroy him."

Max rolled his eyes at her and he said to her, "I actually don't care if I win or not. I didn't come here to win, but I came to do what I set out to do and that's good enough for me. Victory isn't all that important anyway."

"But Max, what if someone will say...?" Tigress began, but got cut off by Max.

"So what? If they don't see it, it's their problem." Max responded.

Tigress felt like she's going nowhere with this tiger cub and he turned to Shifu and asked, "What more could I do for this kid?"

"For starters, I'd take those words into consideration." Shifu answered.

Mako then stepped in and said, "Whatever will be will be. We'll still be proud of Max, no matter what."

Tigress sighed in frustration and she felt like she can't get through her point, but at the same time...it's Max's life and she can't always live it for him and she said to him, "Just...do whatever you want to do."

"Way to bring in the spirit." Logan said, in a sarcastic tone.

Wow...really, Tigress? That's enthusiastic as it goes? Anyway...next chapter is the build-up for the pre-match and a little warning from Sabi.