BOOM!

The thunder-like sound echoed over the Valley of Peace. Shai Lung stood perfectly still, holding her tightly clenched fist where it had connected with the huge boulder; it was now a pile of broken pebbles.

"Whoa," Po exclaimed, awe and wonder shining brightly in his green eyes as he rushed over to the pile.

He got a handful, then let them slide out of his large hand.

"How long did it take you to do that," Mantis asked.

Shai looked out over the Valley of Peace from their mountain top view. She took a deep breath of fresh, mountain air, then faced them again.

"10yrs," she answered.

The Furious Five and the Dragon Warrior exchanged glances.

"So... you punched boulders for 10yrs," Viper questioned.

Shai couldn't help but laugh at her question. They stared at her in utter confused.

"No," she said through a laugh, "I trained for 10yrs before I did this. This particular move only took me..." she trailed off, squinting her red-yellow eyes as she did the math in her head. Her eyes focused on them again. "Six weeks," she continued.

Her students eyes continued to widened until Shai was sure if they opened any further that they'd pop out of the sockets.

"That is so awesome," Po exclaimed. "I wonder if I could do that?"

Shai gestured to another boulder.

"If you continue your training, you can - any of you."

The frantic flapping of wings caught the group's attention. Zang, the messenger goose, was about to crash land when Shai hastily grabbed him by the collar of his yellow-gold shirt.

"Thank you, Master Shai Lung," Zang panted as she placed him on the rocky ground.

Shai nodded, "Of course. What brings you here in such a hurry, Zang?"

"The Masters at Gonmen City have invited you to their Palace."

Shai raised an eyebrow, "Did they say why?"

Zang sat down on a rock next to her.

"They said that they would like you to travel there to train next year's students," Zang told her, "They heard of your unique skills and the battles you've won; they believe there needs to be more Kung Fu Masters like you."

Shai fell silent, considering the offer. She was about to reply when a familiar voice came out of nowhere.

"I think you should go," Shifu stated, standing on top of the boulder she had gestured to.

"Why," she asked, "Are you trying to get rid of me?"

Shifu lightly chuckled, "No. I just think it would be good for you to go."

Shai stayed silent for a few more moments, then nodded.

"Okay. It's settled, then. I will leave at once," she said. She then faced her students, "Don't forget: if you set your mind to something, and train hard, you can do anything."

The Five and the Dragon Warrior bowed, "Yes, Master."

And with that, she got down on all-fours and took off down the mountain.

--

{A few days later...}

Shai looked up at the huge gates before her; two wooden doors with two ornaments on each that - when the gates were shut - joined together to make a magnificent peacock. The tall Gonmen Palace stood proud against the sunset.

A row of guards stood at the gates, their spears at the ready. The gates slowly opened to reveal three dark shadows.

"Stand down," a male's voice boomed like thunder as the shadows continued approaching, "This is our guest!"

The figures cleared to show the three great Masters of the City: Master Ox, Master Croc, and Master Thundering Rhino.

Shai bowed, "Greetings, Masters. It is a great honor to be here, and to help train warriors alongside you."

"The honor is ours," Master Rhino replied as Shai stood.

He towered over her, even his mighty warhammer was taller than she was. But to her, he seemed like he was a gentle soul.

He smiled and continued, "Master Shai Lung."

She gave a small smile as the Gonmen Masters turned to go back through the gates.

"We have heard of the Spirit Wars you fought in, and the previous battle with..."

Rhino glanced at her, causing Master Ox to trail off. Shai kept her sadness and guilt deep down inside her.

"Your brother," Ox continued. Master Rhino nodded, "And that is why we have decided to have you help train the next generation of warriors."

They made their way into the Palace. Shai's eyes widened in awe at the grand, red and gold interior. The Masters laughed at her antics.

"It's a lot different from your small village Jade Palace, isn't it," Master Croc asked, humour filling his voice.

Shai looked at each of them, then down to the golden flooring with an embarrassed laugh.

"Yeah. It's definitely a lot bigger than back home."

"Well, well, well," an older woman's voice began.

Shai looked up to find a goat at the base of the stairs, dressed in darkish coloured robes.

"You must be Master Shai Lung, sister of Tai Lung... the Spirit Warrior."

Shai nodded, a confused look on her face. "Yes. How did you-,"

"Know," the goat interrupted with a smile. "I am a Soothsayer. I know many things, and I knew you would come."

By now, Shai's head was spinning, how did these people know who she was? Did word of her really travel this far?

"We will get Zen to show you to your room," Master Rhino said, "We will train with each other in the morning to test each other's skills against one another."

A woman - a pig - walked up to Shai, a smile on her face. "I am Zen," she greeted.

She then gestured for her to follow, "Come."

Shai nodded, and bowed once again to the Masters, "Thank you."

They bowed as well, then Shai took her leave.