I apologize PROFUSELY for my absence. I've had a lot of stuff happening lately. Keep tuned in at the end, though. I've got some BIG news to share with you all, and you're not going to want to miss it.
Oh, and that 1-shot I promised was uploaded. Just thought I'd tell you. (Insert shameless plug here)
Smiles1998: I took my time, unfortunately. Again, I promise, I WILL finish this story. I WILL NOT abandon, I know how it feels to like a story and see that happen.
The Pizza Man: I didn't think it would go this far, either, to be honest. Originally, I had just wanted to see if I could write something good, and here we are.
Oh, and yes, I did punch trees. There's a pretty sizable dent in one in my backyard. With a red tint to it. Yay.
Alpha BA7: It was your birthday? Well damn. I feel like such a jerk now.
TigerDiva11: That was a lot of reviews. Thank you. It doesn't bother me, it's just as if you were there from the beginning. I'm glad you like my story.
FirePupxFlameKitten-4EverBond: Tigress isn't that mean. Well...
I own only my OCs, and the plot. DreamWorks owns the rest.
"You have exactly 5 seconds to explain why I shouldn't kill you where you stand."
The others, wide-eyed and sweating, simply remained silent, wary of invoking the tiger's wrath. They had known their actions would have consequences, but she seemed truly upset this time. Not that she hasn't been before, though a fire seemed to glint in her eyes now, any mindless grasps for hope now vanished for them.
"5-"
"Wait!"
They turned, some of them instantly regaining that hope, watching as Po ran up to the group, huffing all the way.
"Wait. Just... Give me a second." He collapsed on the ground, muttering something about not quite yet being able to defeat his worst enemy. "Did you guys have to run so far away? I do still have my limits."
"When she's chasing us? Yes." Mantis replied, watching with minor amusement at the panda's state.
"She always catches you anyway, though!" Po whined, but now recovering, and getting up.
"Perhaps, but at least it buys us a few extra seconds of life."
"Po, this doesn't concern you. They were the ones eavesdropping on matters that don't apply to them." Tigress said this last part throwing a glare out of the corner of her eye. It was still enough to make them shudder.
"But it was my idea!" Po shouted, and too late realized his mistake. He threw his paws over his mouth, in a hopeless attempt to take back the words. "I-I mean, umm..."
"Yes?"
He sighed, and drooped his head. "I got nothing."
"Since you were there for the conversation, I assume you remember the last thing I mentioned to Su?"
At this point, Po was trying his absolute hardest to disappear, and considering his stature, his efforts would, in another situation, be quite admirable. As it happens, however, he was not succeeding. Though, he did at least succeed in making his voice as small as possible.
"Yes."
"Oh good, do you think you could remind me? My memory seems to be a bit hazy right now."
"Something about my butt."
"I'm sorry, what was that?"
"Handing me my own big fluffy butt." He muttered, still not looking her in the eyes. He knew what was coming, and was already bracing himself.
"On a silver platter." Tigress amended, and concluded.
Meanwhile, the others were just watching with small smiles, silently snickering, happy in the prospect that the fury was now directed elsewhere.
"Do I get boyfriend head-start rights?" He asked, desperately searching for some way to escape what was likely to be avery painful situation.
Tigress rolled her eyes, but even then a small smirk appeared at the word 'boyfriend'. "Very well," she said, nodding. "But only half a minute."
"A full minute."
"Don't push it, panda."
He gave a small smile, that didn't quite reach his eyes, and ran at a speed she had previously thought impossible for him. She began counting in her head, until she noticed the audience, still next to her.
"I'm not done with you lot, yet. Not by a long shot."
She cracked her neck to the side, her previously warm smile taking on a new meaning, and purpose.
The masters shuddered once more.
The Next Morning, Barracks
Gong!
The masters were each at their doors, having gotten up by reflex, before they realized something.
"Wait, who rang the gong?"
"Who else?" They all turned to see Shifu standing at the end of the corridor, looking just as they had remembered him, albeit with a few bandages across his body. "As if I'd let anyone else ring the gong, much less one of you, after last time."
"Shifu! You're alright!" Po hastily made his way to hug him, only to get an armful of air.
"Yes Po, I am fine. It will take a lot more than a single person, lord or not, to end me," He said, a few feet away. He then smirked. "Or to make me lose my quick reflexes."
Po walked back to his door, muttering under his breath about how no one should avoid hugs on instinct.
"Is something wrong with all of you? You seem a bit... battered." Shifu said, gesturing towards a few members of the furious five, who, in fact, did seem a bit out of sorts.
"Oh, no, sir. We're absolutely fine. Learned a lesson, in fact."
"Oh?" Shifu smiled, likely already knowing the answer. "And what was that?"
"Never underestimate what can be done in thirty seconds." Monkey deadpanned.
"I see..." Shifu stated, then turned his attention elsewhere.
"Masters Croc and Ox, I was glad to hear you made it safely. We are in need of some rather important discussions, of which I would appreciate you joining me after breakfast for." He turned to rest of the group. "Also, I would like you all to put a little more into your training today. We will be leaving soon, and I trust you all know what lies ahead."
Both masters nodded, subsequently followed by the nods of the rest, each throwing a glance at the Wu sisters next to them, still curious as to a few details, though the first and foremost question was the whereabouts of the elder sister, as her room's door was still closed.
"Where is Su?" Croc voiced his concern.
Both remaining sisters looked a bit nervous, not quite meeting eye contact.
"Never mind her, she is not a member of the palace, she may get up when she will." Shifu said, saving them, though from what he was uncertain. "I'm surprised that you two get up, as it were. The only one I am concerned about..." He trailed off, looking at each master in turn. "Am I to assume Jin has not lost his preference to the roof, then, judging by his absence?" After receiving a few nods, he lifted his staff, and knocked it against the ceiling roughly.
Receiving no response, he hit it again, with similar results.
"Jin!"
"Yes?" Responded a tired voice, clearly from someone who had just woken up. They all looked, and saw a Jin's head peeking out from a door. Shifu was about to ask, until realization dawned. On all of them. Well, except one, clueless leopard.
"Look, guys, I appreciate the whole, 'wake up before the sun does' thing as much as the next guy, but can we keep it down a bit? I didn't get much sleep last night."
They just kept staring.
"What? Do I have something on my fac-" His eyes went about as wide as they could, and with a yelp, pulled his head back, and slammed the door shut.
Silence reigned for a few minutes, until Mantis could no longer resist.
"Well, at least we know how his conversation with Su went."
Enemy Camp
Finally, things were looking up. More soldiers had arrived, and the plan was falling into place. It wouldn't be long, now...
"Commander!"
"Sir?!" The soldier snapped to attention. "Aren't you supposed to still be in the infirmary?"
"I am not supposed to be anywhere, commander. I discharged myself. And the good doctor, as it were."
The commander gulped, praying that he wasn't in line for that.
"You are."
"S-sir?"
"You were probably wondering if you had gained yourself a spot on my list. You did."
"P-please, sir! I was just t-trying to-"
"Enough of your babbling! Fortunately for you, Jin is higher on my list, and you've proven yourself to be useful. Try not to change that."
"Y-yes sir!"
"As for my mental state, it is very much intact, commander. I was simply overtired."
"Apologies, sir."
"Carry on." As Amadus watched the soldier march away, his mind was racing with thoughts.
He thinks he can upstart MY operation?! I've done everything, prepared for every possibility! I will not have everything jeopardized. Not when they can still see me...
And nothing will stop me now.
Jade Palace
"So what do you think they're doing?"
Breakfast had started a few minutes ago, and after Croc and Ox finished, they excused themselves to go and speak with Shifu, leaving behind very quiet, and very awkward masters. They had tried many different avenues of conversation, but eyes would still eventually lean towards Jin and Su, both of whom were busying themselves with their food, pointedly ignoring the others.
"What do you think, Monkey?" Tigress accompanied. "He's probably just bringing them up to date, including the current plan of attack."
"I wasn't talking about Shifu."
A few snickers sounded through the room, prompting Jin to sigh.
"Alright, that's it. You and me, Mantis. Right now, in the clearing in front of the training hall."
Mantis mentally backpedaled. He hadn't actually expected a confrontation. Most of the time, the worst he'd receive was a slap to the head from Viper. He scoured his head for a response, but it was in vain. He was about to sigh in defeat, when he finally thought of something. It was tricky, and he'd likely make an enemy of Jin all over again, but it was a course of action that might not result in being more beaten than your average omelette.
"Can I at least pick a partner?" He asked, trying to sound as timid and meek as possible.
"Do you really think it would help?"
"Maybe I'd only get half of the beating. That's a win in my book."
"Fine. But then I get a partner, too."
A few minutes later, they were all gathered outside. Truthfully, while most of them were still a bit hungry, none wanted to miss Mantis getting a taste of his own medicine. Plus, they still hadn't yet seen Jin in action, not really. The aforementioned walked to the front, and addressed them.
"Alright, we're gonna do this the way we did it back where I'm from. The challenged party chooses an event, and then the challenger does. If there is a tie, a tiebreaker round involving an event chosen by an audience is decided. Any questions?"
At the silence, Jin smiled.
"Good, then we can continue. Mantis, your choice for partner?"
"Po!" He shouted, completely sure of himself. "What?" He asked at the deadpan expressions from around him. "You didn't think I'd pick the Dragon Warrior?"
"Oh no, I expected it. I choose Su."
Su walked forward, a smile painted on her face. Mantis immediately had to refrain from making a comment. It was clearly too easy, not to mention he'd likely be fighting them both in a few minutes, and whether or not he felt he could win, two pissed off trained leopards does not a good day make.
Finally, Po moved up, joining his partner in the clearing. He looked excited at the prospect of this battle, though it would quickly disappear.
"Your first choice, Mantis?"
Mantis smirked, clearly very happy with himself.
"Food eating contest!"
Everyone groaned, including Po to their surprise.
"Come on, man! I was just starting to lose some weight!" He complained.
"Relax, Po. It's just more for Tigress to make kissy-faces at."
"I'm standing right here, Mantis."
"R-right... Anyway, first team to finish one hundred bean buns wins!"
"Is that all?" Jin asked, exasperated.
"Why? You scared?" Mantis jeered, a few 'oohs' emanating from the crowd. Though admittedly, they may have been groans of frustration.
"Mantis, the last time I was scared, it was when I was nine and had just seen a man's head chopped off."
That, as Jin had predicted, shut Mantis right up. Which also put a smile on Jin's face.
"Let's get this over with."
Four Minutes Later
Mantis stared, dumbfounded. There were still twenty bean buns left in his and Po's bowl, and all the two of them could do was stare.
Stare at the eating monstrosity that was apparently Su.
"How..." Po finally managed. "I can't even eat that fast!"
"Years of practice." She said, wiping off her mouth with a napkin. Even Jin looked a bit dumbfounded. He simply stared along with them, himself having only eaten about ten before he stopped.
"Alright, well." Jin started. "Following that... interesting display, I do believe it's my turn to choose."
"How did you know I would choose a food-eating contest?" Mantis practically yelled. "And how did you know Su could eat like that?" He asked, looking at her with a newfound respect.
"I didn't." Seeing Mantis was unconvinced, he explained. "Well, I knew you'd choose something as mundane as that, though I had no idea about Su. I had expected to use the tiebreaker."
Mantis sat back down, feeling a bit defeated.
"Now, as for my choice..." Jin's face turned a bit devious, and Mantis was quickly going from upset to fearing for his life.
"Swordplay."
Oh, damn! Someone's in trouble. Alright, now, for the big news.
We have a contest incoming!
I would like to introduce an unplanned OC. I was originally just going to make him myself, but then I had an idea.
You guys get to make him/her.
Backstory, physical appearance, skills, et cetera.
PM me the details, and within a few days, I will set up a poll on my page, where you can all vote for your favorites, from the ones I deemed suitable.
Now, I can't enforce this obviously, but I would appreciate you not all voting for your own if you see it there.
Let the games begin!
Dark Shade 75 signing off.