(Hi there! Chapter 26 is Finally up! Anyway if I missed details or you have the feeling of it being rushed, sorry about that. It's almost 2 in the AM so I'm tired right now woot! Shu Ai's bound to Allegiance forces him to betray toe Furious Five! However Shu sees the loophole and stops fighting! He returns to the Jade Palace to await Judgement)

Chapter Twenty-Six: The Battle at the Bridge

Shu Ai was bound to the allegiance he had made with Tai Lung. Sooner or later he would have to side with the warrior he compared to Lu Bu and Guan Yu. He knew he could not avoid the allegiance and was unsure about the loophole he had told Ping.

Shu Ai had journeyed from the Valley for one reason. This was the concern he had for Meng Lao and Hei Li, fellow warriors and friends. He had fought and defeated them. They were soon defeated by Tai Lung and had not returned to the Valley since then.

However Shu Ai knew he would run into Tai Lung as he cleared a path for him. Tai Lung also was close behind Shu as he progressed through the Valley. Soon, he allowed himself to be captured by Master Tigress and Ping.

He had prevented a fight with them but started a planned fight for his capture. After this, Tai Lung was slowed down and wasn't heard of.

Shu thought of his time within the Valley and the Jade Palace. His skill and personality made him well-respected among the Furious Five. Without his knowledge-and approval-, he quickly rose through the ranks and became a Master and an equal to the Furious Five.

Shu Ai also was seen with either Master Monkey or Master Viper. Depending on he is with, he is either serious or fun.

He also had a weird relationship with Master Tigress. Both of them respected and admired each one's skill. Shu was often teased by Monkey and Viper due to Tigress softening up in his presence. Shu did not know what they were talking about and denied their teasing. He couldn't help but wonder why this was so as well. Master Tigress did open up to him so quickly and often smiled at him. Him befriending her as a cub was a reason, but he countered with the fact that Ping said that she didn't act that way around him even though he was her first friend.

Shu had finally arrived at the Don't-Look-Down Bridge in search for Meng Lao and Hei Li. What he found wasn't what he expected. On the other side of the Bridge was Master Tai Lung, Shu's friend and rival.

"Master Tai Lung, you show-off! You nearly made me fall of the bridge when you called me when I was in dead center!" Shu grinned as he reached Tai Lung.

"Ah, I'm glad you're back to Shu again. To be honest, Zhang Liao was boring and drab. I also apologize, MASTER Shu," Tai Lung bowed apologetically.

"One, I'm old enough without the title thank you very much. Two, I'm old enough without the bowing, thank you very much," Shu shared a laugh with his old friend.

"When you disappeared, I figured something was wrong and decided to wait," Tai Lung looked at Shu and told him that he had been in hiding after Shu's capture.

"Oh, I'm sorry about that. I was… captured. Although I thought you would go on through as the path was clear," Shu told Tai Lung.

"You got captured? Ha, you're getting soft! Anyway, who were your opponents? They must be good if they defeated you," Tai Lung laughed at Shu's apparent defeat.

"Oh, you won't believe it. Two warriors: Ping who wields a bow and Master Tigress," Shu's mention of Master Tigress put an excited sparkle in Tai's eyes.

"A member of the Furious Five…? Interesting," Tai Lung replied with a grin.

"Anyway, I've got some news for you. They took me into the Jade Palace. I was able to get a good look around so I can tell you where to go and where to not go," Shu had already planned what he was going to say to Tai Lung.

Oogway, the old man Turtle that surprised Shu by staying alive, sensed that Tai Lung was returning and had told Shifu before passing on. At this time the Furious Five were having dinner and Po was cooking. Tigress still did not like Po, but the others were warming up to him. They all felt empty without Shu; especially Tigress. Viper noticed her once more but did not point it out. Monkey noticed this and nearly pointed it out but was stopped when Viper glared at him.

Here, Shifu told them of the news and passing of Oogway which surprised all of them. Shifu would not allow Po to go out but permitted the Furious Five to defend the Valley.

Viper hoped to find Shu and make Tigress happy again.

"That's all the news I can say, Tai Lung," Shu was winded at giving the news.

"Ah, very good," Tai Lung grinned.
"Huh, I never realized we've been talking so long. Is it night already?" Shu looked around, curious at the time.

"Ha, not keeping up with time is part of the age!" Tai Lung teased.

"Ha! You're older than me, are you forgetting that?" Shu teased but soon stopped as he turned to face the Bridge.

"Do you sense that?" Shu asked his friend as he looked serious now. He held Dragon Revival in both paws. He sensed a big presence coming their way.

"If you're ready for a fight, then this should be fun!" Tai Lung grinned.

"I'll check it out, Tai!" Shu began to walk across the bridge softly and carefully; his battle stance not weakening.
Tai Lung soon started to follow Shu but kept his distance.

Shu finally reached the other side of the bridge when he heard sounds of running towards him.
"Who goes there?! Halt, or face the wrath of Zhang Liao!" Shu Ai used Zhang Liao's name once more but was no longer accustomed to using it. He silently swore that this was the last time he would use this name. As he said this, he pointed Dragon Revival at the sound of slowed running.

Tai Lung stopped halfway through the bridge as Shu Ai screamed his challenge.
"Perfect, the fun has arrived!" Tai Lung silently thought and grinned.

"Shu! You're alright!" Shu was surprised at the familiar voice of Master Viper.
"M…Master Viper?!" Shu called out. Soon, the Furious Five appeared.

"The Furious Five…?!" Shu was surprised to see all of them. He still pointed Dragon Revival at them; sadness now showing at his face. His honor bound him to the allegiance and now was forced to fight his friends.

"Shu… What's the meaning of this?!" Tigress asked of Shu who was pointing Dragon Revival dangerously at them.

"Brother Shu! What are you doing?!" Monkey asked. All of them were shocked that Shu pointed Dragon Revival at them.

Shu closed his eyes tightly as he forced tears to stop.
"… Fight me!" Shu Ai yelled in sadness as he opened his eyes as he brought back Dragon Revival. He ran at them and began to swing Dragon Revival at them; forcing them to avoid it.
"Shu…?!" Viper couldn't get a word in as they were all avoiding Shu's sudden violence.

"Fight me!" Shu repeated as he went for Monkey now who refused to fight and avoided him.
"Shu, we don't want to fight you!" Monkey told him.

Shu ignored this as he went after each Master; all of them avoiding him and refusing to fight him.
"Shu… Why…?!" Tigress seemed hurt in the inside at Shu's sudden change.
"My honor… For honor!" Shu Ai finally stood straight, his eyes filled with sadness.

He started to back up towards the edge; the place beside the Bridge. Below was a really long drop.

"Master!" Shu looked towards the bridge and called Tai Lung.

"M…Master…?" Shu's call to the bridge put confusion among the Furious Five.

Their confusion soon was replaced by shock as they saw Tai Lung; still prominent, healthy, and strong.

"Enter the Master! The one I pledged allegiance to!" Shu declared his allegiance which put silence and shock among the Five.

"So this is the Furious Five… Interesting! But I'm not interested in fighting any of you!" Tai Lung gloated as he remained on the bridge.

Shu soon stepped in front of the Bridge in defense.

"Go through me if you wish to face Tai Lung!" Shu called.

Viper and Mantis first noticed that Shu never wanted to fight them and his honor bounded him to allegiance.

Shu swung Dragon Revival around before attempting to fight the Five once more. However Master Tigress got through by avoiding him and going to face Tai Lung.

Shu looked back at them and was surprised that the four who were with him did not attack him when he wasn't looking. They knew Tai Lung was more of a threat. Tigress and Master Tai Lung were fighting.
"Master, I'm coming!" Shu rushed unto the bridge to help master Tai Lung. Although he did not need it, Tai Lung seemed to appreciate Shu helping him.

Both Shu and Master Tai Lung were fighting Master Tigress with Shu using Dragon Revival.
"Hah!" Shu kept on swinging and missing and soon relied on Kenpo and the Five Form Style he learned and got a few hits on Tigress along with Tai Lung.
Shu's hits however were not to hurt Tigress and soon she felt that Shu did not want to fight.

However during the fight the ropes that held the bridge snapped.

"Whoa!" Shu held on to the ropes with one paw and nearly letting go of dragon Revival. He noticed that they did not fall and looked towards the four Masters on the other side. They were holding the ropes now.

Shu smiled a silent thanks at them who smiled back. He did not have enough balance to be much assistance to Tai Lung.

"Shu!" Tai Lung called to Shu in concern. Tigress still faced Tai Lung to fight him. However since she was in front of Shu, she stood in front of him defensively.

"Master Tai Lung… I should tell you she's the old man's favorite!" Shu grinned at Tai Lung.
"Ah, this is the old man's favorite? Well, I'm not interested in fighting you all! I'm interested in the Dragon Warrior!" Tai Lung was being arrogant.
"How do you know it isn't me?!" Tigress asked.
Shu finally regained balance once more as he listened.
"Master Tai, you are going down that path once more…" Shu noticed that his friend was falling to arrogance once more.

"Ha, I know that you are not the Dragon Warrior! None of you ARE!" Tai Lung was being very arrogant.
"Shu, what was the name of the Dragon Warrior again?" Tai Lung grinned.

"His name is Po, Tai. It's not really a long name for sakes Tai, it's just two letters!" Shu told him. If this wasn't so serious Monkey would have laughed; he nearly did.
"Po… a name so honorable, strong! Now that's a name for a Warrior!" Tai Lung and Tigress resumed their fight with Tigress losing.
Shu now saw that his services under Tai Lung were no longer needed and the allegiance was gone. Tai Lung seemed to fall to the arrogance of his own skill and this was enough reason for Shu. However he did not want to fight Tai Lung as he was still his friend.

Shu soon backed up from the battle and towards the remaining four.
"Shu!" Tai Lung called once more.
"Don't worry, I'm just giving you the fun," Shu made sure Tai Lung did not know that their allegiance was broken. He made sure Tai Lung thought that he was still on his side. Technically Shu would remain friends with Tai Lung.

"I'm sorry… When we get back, I will resign and you can do whatever you want to the traitor…"Shu felt so bad and apologized to the four Masters as he reached them. He knew he betrayed them and requested to resign.

"Oh, Shu…" Viper was going to cheer him up. They were all going to cheer him up.
"You guys better help Tigress… She's losing," Shu pointed to the fight and the Masters saw that Tigress was losing.

Shu held Dragon Revival and held his head high. He still had Pride and did not lose it. He would accept all the consequences, even if it was death. He looked back and noticed that Monkey had ordered Crane to help Tigress. Crane indeed helped Tigress but Tai Lung still was strong. Mantis volunteered to hold the bridge as Monkey and Viper went to help them. Apparently the Four fighting Tai Lung were winning. It seemed as they did as Tai Lung was pushed back and the rest of the ropes were cut.

Shu knew that Tai Lung had jumped up high before the fall and would land soon.

The Furious Five seemed confident that Tai Lung was defeated.

"Brother Shu!" Viper called with a smile to Shu.

Shu looked at Viper not with cheerfulness but with sadness.
"I betrayed you, all of you… I don't really deserve anything good…" Shu told them as he turned away from them.
"Shu…" Monkey started.
"I'll see you guys back at the Palace. Hey, you can punish me as much as you want there, right?" Shu grinned at them as he got ready to run.
"Shu, wait…!" Tigress called to Shu.

"Tigress… You guys might want to look up," Shu ran back to the Jade Palace to await his punishment.

Tai Lung indeed landed and defeated the Furious Five with the nerve attacks that he specializes in.