Po followed Shifu as they made their way up to the Hall of Heroes. The sun was close to setting, casting the valley a pleasant golden hue and despite the recent events, he felt oddly calm and found himself smiling. I understand now why they call this place the Valley of Peace.
Tigress and Tai Lung stood on either side of him, neither one said much or turned their gaze away from the steps before them. Tigress was feeling rather depressed, it had started out as a pleasant festival starting with last night gala, dancing with Po, being held in his strong soft arms and gazing deep into his lovable jade eyes. And now here she was, making her to the Great Hall to finally determine the fate of the Dragon Warrior. In truth she realized that no matter what decision Chao made she would always be with Po, even it meant that they could never go out on missions again.
A deep mocking scoff drew her attention and drifted her gaze up to see Junjie standing beside the door. The white tiger Xue Jianya was there, dressed in those god awful bright robes. She growled as the two tigers drew closer, yet he never once returned her gaze, if anything, he looked crestfallen.
"What the matter?" Tigress snapped coming to stand before the white tiger. "Nothing to say now that you've beaten Po. Well let me tell you something, even if Chao decides to pick you to be the Dragon Warrior, you will never be worthy of it."
Xue Jianya finally cast his eyes upon Tigress and her expression shifted a little as she made out the faint trace of sadness he held. "I know," the white tiger whispered.
Before Tigress could say anything, Junjie stood between them snapping, "You two have no right to be here. Kindly go back to the student barracks."
Now it Tai Lung's turned to growl as he towered over the red fox. "Last time I checked, Shifu was the Grandmaster of the Jade Palace."
"Things can easily change," Junjie said in a cruel manner, "you're freedom for one thing."
Shifu cleared his throat to draw the red fox's attention. "Master Tai Lung and Master Tigress are two of my most prize student and protectors of the Jade Palace; it would be a disgrace to keep them being a part of this…regardless of who Master Chao chooses."
Junjie said nothing, merely scoffed, and his left ear twitched from side to side in an annoyed fashion.
Shifu then led the way into the main hall where desert monitor calmly waited for them.
"Hello everyone," Chao said in a calm voice as they approached, "you all have no doubt as to why I summon you here."
The masters of the Jade Palace merely nodded, Junjie held an evil grin where as Xue Jianya looked away with an expression of shame.
"Po, Xue Jianya, please step forward."
The two warriors came too stood before the desert monitor.
"For the past two days I have been watching both of you, studying and assessing each of your skill. This morning battle after the demonstration the Furious Five and Master Tai Lung's kung fu style…" he paused to look over at Junjie noticing the slight twinge along his face where the snow leopard at sliced one of his whiskers off, "I found myself most impressed at how you both handle yourselves, however, there can only on Dragon Warrior…" he paused once more to cast his gaze downward, "Xue Jianya, I am pleased to say that the honor of the Dragon Warrior title falls to you."
The white tiger's eyes snapped open in shock, yet reframed from saying anything.
"Grandmaster Shifu," Master Chao said eyeing the red panda, "would you be so kind as to retrieve the Dragon Scroll for the white tiger?"
"Yes," Shifu said, his voice hollow, "of course master."
Shifu made his way to Oogway's shrine where his curved wooden staff rested before a painting of the former grandmaster. The red panda released a heavy sad sigh before gently taking hold of the staff and slowly turned around only to be confronted with Junjie.
"I think I should have the honor of getting the scroll," Junjie said in a mocking tone, "seeing how Xue Jianya is my student." Taking the staff he began to use it as common hook to grasp the side of the scroll.
"This blasted stick is too short," Junjie said in an annoyance, "don't you ruffians have something longer?"
"Give me that you mindless fiend!" Shifu snapped, snatching Oogway's staff from the red fox and followed up with a swift open palm jab to Junjie's face. Shifu then began to wave and thrust the staff before the reflecting pool creating a gust wind shifting the peach petals forcing them into the air.
Po felt truly impressed and amazed by Shifu's control and timing as he used the wind produced to bring a single petal to the edge of the scroll and stood back as it slowly shifted from the dragon's mouth, until it finally fell from its resting place toward the water.
Junjie growled softly. No, I will not be robbed of my glory. Standing next to Shifu, the red fox waited till his old rival to bring Oogway's staff back to catch the scroll before hitting the water. A smile formed on his face as he noticed the sudden shift in the red panda's shoulder. Junjie then pulled off a quick nearly invisible sweep kick causing Shifu to stumble at the most important moment allowing the scroll to plunge into the water.
"How clumsy," Junjie said, "a true grand master would never allow such a mistake to take place."
Both Tai Lung and Tigress growled at the red fox vulgar comment, and slowly inched forward only to be stopped as Po planted a hand on each of their shoulder. "Now is not the time you two," Po said in a calm voice, "but don't worry, that worm's time will come."
Junjie stood before the edge of the pool reaching for the scroll. While his back was turn, Po formed a quick wind thrust forcing the red fox into the water while at the same time sending the scroll into the air. Shifu recovered his stance and thrust the staff out once more catching the scroll on the tip of the curved end, bringing down close enough to the water's surface that it caused a ripple to flow.
Junjie had pulled himself from the pool taking notice of the giggling from Shifu's student. "Which one of you pushed me into the water?" he snapped.
"What are you talking about?" Po muttered, "We've been all the way over here this whole time."
The red fox growled. "I'm not done with you, you're just lucky that I have far more important things to do."
Master Chao stood before Shifu, calmly taking the Dragon Scroll and turning to face Xue Jianya. "You have proven yourself a true warrior and worthy of the title of Dragon Warrior. Now I bestow to you the Dragon Scroll."
Xue Jianya eyed the scroll, quickly drifting his gaze past Chao to Junjie, noticing the evil glint. Realizing that he had no other choice to save his father, Xue Jianya took a deep breath to steady himself, he accepted the cylinder. Taking hold of the end, he popped the clasp revealing the scroll itself. With slow smooth motion the white tiger slipped the scroll out and merely held it at arm's length. His hands tremble as though the weight of the scroll was too much for him.
"Well," Master Chao said with a faint smile, "go head and gaze upon the scroll and learn the secrets of the ultimate kung fu powers."
Xue Jianya's gaze shifted from the scroll to Master Chao. Could he possible know the truth? No, that's impossible. Junjie's too clever to let his plans slip through so easily. And I have to do this; otherwise my father will… he could not bring himself to finish his thought. Grasping both end of the scroll Xue Jianya slowly opened the scroll, and gazed upon…nothing.
Xue Jianya gasped his eyes narrow and released a low growl. "What kind of joke is this?" He snapped tossing the scroll to the floor at Junjie's feet. "It's completely blank!"
"Blank?" Junjie cried snatching up the scroll and gazed upon only to gasp at the truth of Xue Jianya's claim. The red fox then turned on Shifu, a look of rage burned on his face. "You…you did this didn't you."
"What are you talking about?" Shifu demanded.
"You knew that Xue Jianya would win the match and so you switched the scroll before Master Chao could hand it over to my student." Junjie tossed the scroll aside as though it were a piece of scrap and then shouted, "GUARDS!"
Po and the others heard the faint sounds of the wind blowing about the pillars followed by six snow leopards jumping out from beyond the shadows. Two of them rushed Shifu, their bodies moving like blurs and quickly forced the red panda down flat on his face. The other four stood before the Jade Palace warrior, their swords held a few inches from their neck.
"Guards," Junjie said in a cruel deep voice, "place this swine in chains and lock him away in the dungeon for the crime of stealing the Sacred Dragon Scroll."