Here's yet another chapter for all. I hope I did well on it, spent plenty of time. Sure, I'm aware that there might be a couple mistakes, but meh~
Let's get started.
Shifu was sitting in meditative position in his room, which was bright with carefully lit candles all around him, as he breathes in deeply, then breathes out. This process repeats for him, and it does help some. Though he was having a very hard time keeping himself at peace.
Because so far his heart has been hit with nothing but relentless, unforgiving, emotional torment.
He remembers how he first came to the Jade Palace. His father Shirong, a professional con-artist, once left Shifu on the top of the Thousand Steps and told him he would return in five minutes. Being the naive child he was back them, he actually believed him. It took waiting an entire day, sitting out in the rain at nighttime, and Oogway's comforting shoulder to dully convince him that his father was not coming back.
Ever since then, Master Oogway took him into the Jade Palace, and he mentored and fathers Shifu for many years, teaching him Kung Fu, right from wrong, as well as many ancient mysteries about China itself. He was always marveled by Oogway's compassion and wisdom, and thus devoted himself entirely to making the tortoise proud and standing up for his beliefs. For the entire time he's known Oogway, he's shown nothing but complete loyalty to him and the teachings of Kung Fu.
He did not realize that this loyalty would have many negative emotional consequences. As great as his loyalty to Oogway and Kung Fu is there are some times when he's forced to view this perspective in a different light, and he's even questioned whether or not he made the right choice. He could never resolve his inner conflicts about his loyalty to his Master compared to his loyalty to his other loved ones. Every time, he was faced with a choice. And every time, he's faced with rather nasty consequences due to them.
"Kung Fu...is outdated and useless!"
"Of course Oogway would pick you to be the GrandMaster. You've known him the longest."
"You no longer have your own backbone, Shifu. Oogway always has to carry it for you."
Those were merely three instances in where his passion in Kung Fu have turned against him and his relationships with former colleagues. But at this point, he has always come back to two main relationships he's seriously maimed with his devotion to his honor:
"I can't believe you'd choose your love for Kung Fu over your love for me...you JERK!"
"How can you choose Oogway over your own son?! Tell me, Shifu! TELL ME HOW!"
Shifu suddenly pushed his palms outward and all the candles went out from the gust that followed, and he got on his knees as he is now in the dark. He was beginning to get mentally exhausted. How many times must he go through this ordeal? His honor was so strong that it cost him many potentially strong relationships. He betrays a very gifted mechanic that could probably do good for China's technology had he not said that it had no heart, he didn't try making up with a fellow student when he got jealous that he was picked to be the next Grand Master of the Jade Palace, he personally chased away a fellow comrade because she attacked Oogway, he gave up his lover because he didn't bother being patient and attempt ridding her of her thieving tendencies, and he failed to speak up for his own SON when he was fold he was not the Dragon Warrior of legend. All of these because he favored Oogway's influence over theirs. Close friends and a son, were now all enemies of his due to his actions and decisions.
And now he was threatening to do it AGAIN, because his heart is refusing to reach out to Tigress, due to fear of repeating the mistake he made with Tai Lung.
He was truly beginning to wonder if the universe hated him. At first he just kept dismissing that idea, but the more relationships that get broken, the more bitterness latches onto his heart. Tai Lung's actions directly being his own fault really drove it home. Because he may have released a very dangerous threat upon China because of one simple mistake causing his total corruption to darkness, and is afraid of doing the same to Tigress.
"How many times...?" He said quietly, as he stood up and limped to the sliding door, his hip made very difficult to get around, so he needed a walking cane most of the time. How many times must I endure these betrayals by my hands... I've even turned my own son against me. Is there any way for it all to just..." He trailed off and shook his head. "No. My own inner conflicts are not important right now. I may resolve them later, but first I must help prepare for the Winter Feast." Shifu went and opened his door. Since he wasn't using his ears, he didn't expect Oogway to appear at his door. He jumped slightly before recovering quickly and bowing to him. "Oh, Master Oogway!"
"Shifu, my friend. You seem very troubled." He responded gently.
"What? No Master, I'm perfectly fine. Why would you say something like that?"
"I sense that you're a bit stressed about something, Shifu." Oogway clearly knew what that something was, but he decided against it until Shifu has calmed himself down. "How about you take a stroll around the Valley for the time being, Shifu? With all the early preparations we're making for the Winter Feast, you look like you could use a bit of time away from the Palace. I don't wish for you to overwork yourself. Please, take a bit of time off."
Shifu could see the amount of concern etched onto his Master's face, and he caved in to his request. "If you say so, Master." He bowed again and left Oogway's presence, leaving the turtle alone with his own thoughts. He held his staff as he made his way to the Palace Hall entrance, and looked upon the Valley from there.
There was one thing he knew Shifu was feeling, because he was there every time. Shifu was getting tired.
(Meanwhile)
"Dad! Hey Dad! DAD!" Po shouts repeatedly as he holds Tigress's paw while walking into Mr. Ping's shop. For the entire time, Tigress was blushing pink, though it was unnoticeable due to her orange fur. She didn't think Po realized that he never let go of her paw ever since their paws connected in their handshake. Or maybe he didn't want to let go of her paw.
Either way, holding his paw...made her feel...funny inside. She had no idea what that feeling was, but she was rather disappointed when he let go of her paw. Strange...
"Oh, hello son! Glad to see you're home..." Mr. Ping said with a bright smile on his face. Which got even brighter when he sees Tigress right behind him. "And you brought a friend!" She took note that he just KNEW that she wasn't the one who hasn't inflicted Po's current injuries on. Even when she's the one with the claws and fangs...he just knew. Unknown to her, it was because he already knew full well who she was, and was feeling ecstatic inside because she now gathered the nerve to directly interact with his son. "And what would your name be?"
"Tigress..."
"Well, good meeting you Tigress! I see that you've become acquainted with my son! Do come and have a seat!"
"Son...?" Tigress said to herself as Po walked past her to give his goose father a hug. "Oh...he's adopted." Another thing we have in common...
"Betting you two could use something to eat. Few things show a new friendship by eating good food together!" Mr. Ping said happily. He could hear Fenghuang stealthily enter the building from Po's room, and reminded himself to serve her later. Hiding among a huge crowd in a rather crowded place must be hard. Geez, wait until Po grows up...they're gonna need a bigger place by that time.
That's when he noticed the silence. And that's when he began to exercise some caution. Right when Tigress entered the vicinity, everyone else around them became very quiet at the sight of her. Po did not seem to notice, but stayed next to Tigress when he noticed her discomfort. Mr. Ping narrowed his eyes, and he slowly went back to preparing his noodles while keeping a very sharp eye on the people there. Fenghuang could sense the air around him shift, and she deduced that any negative intentions aimed towards those two children would be met with HARSH retribution. He has been burning inside for a very long time now, but for Po's sake he has kept his beak shut and has been very patient. But Po being harassed alongside his new friend would surely make him snap. The owl had to admit, she never felt this kind of fierce protectiveness from a civilian. She wondered how he would act out. He once said that they hold out becaude they were cautious of the backlash on his business. But Mr. Ping may be nearing the border of 'I don't care' if he gets pushed too far.
"So Tigress, do you go outside often?" Mr. Ping asked, trying to steal her attention away from the people glaring at her for seemingly no reason other than to make her feel very unwelcome. He could see the discomfort on her face, amd was trying to comfort her like his son was attempting to do.
Tigress shook her head. "Not much. I am usually training inside the Jade Palace with my father."
"Who might your father be?"
"Master Shifu."
Both Fenghuang's(while hidden) and Mr. Ping's eyes widened when they heard this. If she was adopted by Shifu was well, that could only mean that Tai Lung was her foster brother. While everyone else was very much aware of this, this was news to the two of them. Po on the other hand, didn't even know who Tai Lung was, not that he was very interested in him. All he knew about Tai Lung was that he was the reason why he and his father hid in the basement while he rampaged across the Valley, devastating everything and everything in his way. Mr. Ping couldn't explain to Po that some people even died, that's something he didn't need to know. Again, Tai Lung isn't someone he's interested in right now, because he was focused on his new friend Tigress. But he could see that the subject was greatly changing the air around the shop, with most customers mood being even more sour than it was before.
To Fenghuang, she understood the situation perfectly. Being Tai Lung's little sister, alingside being far too similar to him, is getting her some undeserved ire. These villagers must be harassing her out of fear, given the looks on their faces. She shook her head. Ah Shifu. Father of the Year. Let's give him a big damn hand about how he accidently corrupted his son and is ignoring the fact that his daughter is an outcast for her brother's actions. I don't have to ask her about it, it's in her eyes...
"Tigress? You okay?" Po asked in concern, seeing her look crestfallen when mentioning her father. In an attempt to cheer up, he handed her a bowl of dumplings that Mr. Ping had prepared beforehand. "Here, try some! They'll cheer you right up!"
"They will...?" She asked as she stares at the bowl. Her cat-like curiousity getting the better of her, she placed the dumpling in her mouth with a rather adorable 'nom'. Once she sealed her mouth, her eyes widened, then closed quickly as she placed her paws on her cheeks and actually purred lightly. "This...is...THE best dumpling I've ever eaten!" She cheered happily. Mr. Ping and Po had just as cheerful smiles to her reactions. Fenghuang smirked.
Would a monster react like that to food? Stupid villagers.
"I'm glad you liked it, dear! You have an entire bowl of those for yourself, as well as a bowl of noodles! Take it as a small celebration for your newfound friendship." Mr. Ping smiles at her. She nodded enthusiastically to the idea if eating more of his food. Mr. Ping's eyes shifted quickly to the villagers, as they looked rather angry that Tigress looked so happy. Oooohhhh no you don't! You're not ruining her good mood! I won't have it! "Say children, why don't you tale your food and eat elsewhere? I don't want to make you feel crowded in here, you oughta have time to yourselves. And don't wander off too far this time, Po."
"Good idea Dad! And I won't go too far, promise. Come on, Tigress!" Po said, grabbing his bowl of dumplings and noodles in two hands and walking out of the area. Tigress smiled and followed after her with her own food. Mr. Ping smiled at the sight. His son has finally made a friend.
"Glad to see that she finally left. No one wants to eat with a monster. Ping, you should probably get your son away from her before-" BAM! "UGH!"
The rather unfortunate pig who had the gall to insult Tigress right after she left was struck very hard in the head by Mr. Pings metal ladle. Fenghuang's eyes widened when she saw this, but she stayed hidden in the shop. The goose pointed his ladle at the pig, his glare full of fury. "Now you listen here, and listen good. After being ridiculed and harassed by most of the villagers in the Valley for simply being a panda, my son has finally made a friend who shares his pain and has genuinely connected with her in their first meeting. I barely tolerated harassment towards my son in fear of long-term consequences. But I outright REFUSE to let ANYBODY ruin this friendship I waited so long for Po to have. Po says he can handle your rather irrational dislike towards him, and I believe and trust him enough to not interfere. But it's crossing the line when you badmouth both my son and his new friend WHILE IN MY PRESENCE!" Mr. Ping's voice became a bit darker. "...My son has found a friend. A friend who can understand him, and vice-versa. They're hitting it off nicely, as I just saw. This will be my one and only warning. Leave them alone. Do not bother them. They'll gladly stay away from you, and I don't have a problem with that. But I won't have anyone purposely start a conflict with them. I don't care if this has a negative impact on my business. If you so much as look at them the wrong way while in my presence, I will not hesitate to BEAT YOU SENSELESS. And when you recover, I'll do it again! Remember this well. See all this? Hm?(shows wings to space) This is a restaurant. MY restaurant. I will not tolerate any irrational treatment of any kind. Not here. Nope. You come here to EAT. NOT to pick on my son and his new friend. This goes for everyone. You can either order some food, or you can GET OUT. AM. I. CLEAR?!"
Everyone else has either shrunken in their seats in fear or they were too shocked to make that kind of face. Mr. Ping, one of the kindest souls anyone will ever meet in the Valley Of Peace, snapped quite angrily. Just because someone insulted Tigress. Fenghuang, when over her own shock, smirked. This goose knows how to lash out...
The pig, now slightly fearing for his life, nodded quickly. "I...I ordered the bean buns a couple moments ago..." Mr. Ping was still clearly upset with him, as he slowly waddled back to the counter and got him his food, and being paid the proper amount.
"Now leave." He pointed to the entrance, and the pig didn't have to be told twice, he scurried away as quickly as he possibly could. Then, to the shock of everyone there, Mr. Ping did a complete mood change by returning to his large smile. "Have a nice day!" Everyone there face-faulted. Such a swift mood change!
Mr. Ping waddled back into the shop and closed the door as well as the window so that no one could see Fwnghuang meet him. "My goodness, goose. You sure went off on that pig."
He took a deep breath and sighed. "Yes. After all the mistreatment my son has faced, and realizing that Tigress can relate to him, I just snapped. I really needed to get that anger out of my system. It's a bit stressful to keep it all in, you know?" He folded his wings. "I've already put two and two together. Tigress is not Tai Lung. She will never be Tai Lung. I swear, most villagers in this Valley has turned incredibly bitter from all the misfortune happening to them over the years."
"I see that..." Fenghuang sighed. If these were the kind of people she harassed in her Furious Five years, she wouldn't feel so bad, because it would be somewhat justified for her.. But no, she has a part in the bitter emotions of some of thee people in the Valley in the present. The thought was making her frown. "Hey, Ping. I'll keep an eye on your boy for you."
"That'll be great, thank you." He bowed, and she returned it. She made she sure no one saw her, sneaked out from the back and made her way out.
Unknown to them, Shifu heard a good chunk of that rant that has just occured, and was rather shocked that it was Mr. Ping of all people going off on the villagers. He had no idea what exactly he was talking about, but he didn't need super hearing to see that the goose was highly upset. He was also clueless to the fact that the goose's rant involved his daughter...
(Valley Of Peace-Playground)
Po and Tigress were walking along the path of the rather small playground. Tigress took notice that as soon as she appeared, most of the children immediately cleared away from them. There were small whispers. 'What are THEY doing here?' 'Isn't she Tai Lung's little sister? And the panda kid?' "Mom says he rubbed off on her, and it's best to stay away from her.' 'The panda is crazy if he's hanging with her...' The voices made her slightly crestfallen again, but then Po turned his head to her with a reassuring look.
"Just ignore them, Tigress. They're just jealous that we're so awesome." He smiled. She greatly appreciated the claim and continued to follow him to a small area, all to themselves. Or ar least they thought it was to themselves. Tigress narrowed her eyes and growled. This caught Po by surprise. "Woah! What's going on Tigress?" She didn't answer as she suddenly pounced into a bush, which was followed by a loud 'OW!' Po gets up and pushes the bushes away to see what was going on. It's not what he was expecting.
Tigress had someone pinned, and to him, it looked like a crox who's helmet has been knocked onto the ground. One arm was repeatedly tapping the ground, while the other was being presswd against his back by Tigress. "Ow! Okay-OW! I give I give! GAH! It hurts a lot! Uncle! UNCLE!"
"He was spying on us, Po." Tigress said seriously. This must be her in Kung-Fu mode.
"Woah woah woah! Tigress chill! Let the guy explain himself!" Po said frantically. Seeing his panic, Tigress relented, while quickly apologizing. The croc then stood up, rubbing his arm with a pained look on his face.
"Gosh...that is some crazy strong strength. Coming from a girl, no less." He muttered. Tigress raised a fist, and he covered his face. "I'm sorry! Not the face!"
"Who are you?"
The croc bent over to out his helmet back on his head, and he placed his paws on his hips. "My name is Fung! And I was just having a relaxing walk around here until your cat just pounced on me." Tigress growled again, but Po made sure she stayed calm.
"She only pounced on you because you spied on us. So in a way it's kinda alright ro do so, isn't it? Because we couldn't see you, and all?
"I was NOT!" Fung defended weakly. "Now if you two would excuse me, I need to enjoy my lunch I have packed in...huh?" He tilted his head to the side when he reached into the bag. The pouch that had his packed lunches. "They're GONE?!" There was a hole in the bag...Fung jawdropped. Then he snarled and threw his helmet t the ground. "Agh gosh DARN IT! My food fell through that STUPID hole! Now what am I going to do?"
Po and Tigress looked at one another, then back to Fung. "Why don't you come eat with us, Fung? We have plenty for all three of us. Luckily for you, I always pack an extra." Tigress was impressed by Po's preparation skills when it came to food. And he was merely seven years old right now.
The croc folded his arms and huffed. "Keep your food! I don't need your charity!" A low growl emitted from his stomach, and he blushed. "...That means nothing!" The growl only persisted, and he sighed while gripping his head. "GAAAAAAA! Alright fine! You win, gut! You WIN!"
"Hey, I tend to say that sometimes!" Po pointed out while laughing. Tigress smiled, while Fung just huffed that he was called out. "Here, have a taste preview." He grabbed a dumpling and tossed it towards him.
"Why would I want a taste pre-" Fung started before it landed in his jaws while he was speaking. With not much time to react, he eats it quickly and gulped. His eyes widened and he grabbed Po by the arm. "You have more of this stuff? I WANT IT!" Po merely smiled, another one enjoys Mr. Ping's food.
The young trio spent plenty of time eating their lunch, consisting of the noodles, dumplings, and bean buns that were enough for everyone. Obviously Po was finished first, but all of them were savoring their meals with happy smiles. When they finally finished, they were lying on their backs, facing the sky, looking very relaxed.
"Ah...that was really good." Po grinned, patting his belly.
"My belly feels so warm..." Tigress smiled, rubbing her own belly, which bulged just a bit since she was the slimmest of the three. She was speaking of the noodles, which were indeed the warmest.
"I haven't never eaten so well in my life..." Fung mumbled, his tongue hanging out, but he didn't completely notice. "Dude...your Dad...is like the best cook...in the history of time." He said, turning his head to Po.
"Thanks, dude." Po smiled. The three of them sighed. After a while of not saying a word, out of the blue, Po burps. "Haha! Must have eaten better than I thought!"
"Please. I can beat that, easy." Fung waved off. He takes a breath, then lets out a slightly louder burp. The two laughed and high-fived one another.
Tigress folded her arms and rolled her eyes. "You two are gross..." She mumbled. Then she unexpectedly burped the loudest of all three. Surprise was clear on her face as she covered her mouth and blushed heavily. "...Excuse me."
Po and Fung just sat there, eyes and mouths wide from the unexpected event. Then..."PFFFFFFT! Hahahahaha! Gross, huh? Look who's talking, tiger-girl!" Fung chuckled, while Po was having a total laughing fit, his legs kicking the air. Tigress pouted at them. Then she slowly smiled and she joined in on their laughter. She was happy. She has never laughed this much. And to double it, she made yet another friend, even if he is a bit more rude than Po was.
From a safe, hidden distance, Fenghuang watched the three play together. She smiled softly. "How about that. The panda managed to befriend two other kids on the same day. Hm...I wonder..." She thought to herself. She shrugged her wings and stayed perched in her position. A gust of wind blew by her for a second, andbshe swiftly turned her head to the right. She narrowed her eyes. She didn't like the feeling of this wind. To anyone, it would be another change in the wind, but to a Kung Fu Master with an affinity for wind, she knew what this meant.
Something was about to go down...
(One Week Later-One Night Before Winter Festival)
Po had been a very busy panda in the span of one week. So have his friends Tigress and Fung. The Winter Festival was going to begin in a few hours. He was slightly disappointed that he couldn't go to the Jade Palace, due to Kung Fu Master's from various provinces gathering from all over to have their Winter Feast there, and it would be hosted by Shifu and Oogway. Tigress chose to stay out of their way, and just be with her friends. Back to Po, he was incredibly busy. He has been completely focused on making individual presents for both his friends. He had already finished Fenghuang's, but he would be patient. Mr. Ping already got his present, a sun lantern that he and Po painted together.
"Hello, Po dear!" He lifted his head and turned around to see who's calling him. He was happy to see somene he recognized.
"Mrs. Yun!" He cheered as he ran up to the entrance to hug her, and she gladly returned it. An elderly but kind-hearted goat that had befriended Mr. Ping, and Po as well, when he learned to walk and talk. She's on of the few adult villagers that treat Po fairly, and nicely. "Are they ready? Are they properly secured?"
"I've got it covered, Po. All your friends need to do now is open them, and they're gonna be so pleasantly sirprised when they do. You really put a lot of time and energy into them, and I'm sure they'll appreciate that." Mrs. Yun, for the past week, has been secretly assisting Po on the creation and wrapping of the presents he plans on giving to his friends. She knows people from many places in order to get things done. Mrs. Yun...is more mysterious than she realizes. Though she has a rather...shaky relationship with Mr. Ping.
Let's just say that they went on one date, it ended with him knocked out cold and her storming away in a huff. That...was not the best of days for either of them. They're still on good terms, but things have been rather...awkward ever since.
"They're gonna love these! I'm positively sure of it!" Po grinned.
Mrs. Yun giggles and pinches his cheeks. "You always remind me that you're such a sweetheart. And absolutely adorable at that." She kisses both cheeks, making him laugh. "Well, the rest is up to you. I'll see you later." She bows, he bows back, and she turned around to face Mr. Ping. There was a small awkward silence due to this.
"...Mr. Ping."
"...Mrs. Yun." They both nodded to one another, and Mr. Ping turns to Po. "We'll be gone for a while, Po. You can close up and have your friends over. I'll be back, alright?"
"Okay Dad." He nodded to him, as the goose and goat left together. Just in time, Tigress and Fung enter the shop, waving to Po happily. He of course waves back, but he remembered he had to keep their gifts hidden from them until it was time. He kept them inside, in his room, in a place only he could reach. "Hey guys, what's going on?"
"We're coming to see you, dude!" Fung folded his arms. Tigress nodded in agreement. With this, the three of them sat down and began some friendly chat.
Elsewhere, Mr. Ping and Mrs. Yun were walking along a single path, and they stayed quiet, not wanting to try and start some awkward chatter. They thought they had gotten over the awkward phase of their relationship, though they were clearly mistaken when they actually meet face to face. Though they had to at least try to focus on a subject, they couldn't just stay silent.
"So..." Mr. Ping said.
"So..." Mrs. Yun said. This...clearly wasn't working.
"Goose!" Mr. Ping could hear Fenghuang's voice. Oh thank goodness, a distraction! He turned towards the owl descending upon the pair, and he could see she had something to say. "What is it, Fenghuang?"
The owl stared at Mr. Ping with just a bit of regret in her eyes. "Mr. Ping...it's time for me to leave, while the going is good. With the Master's gathered at the Jade Palace for their precious Winter Feast, they can't hear or sense a thing from the outside. This may be my only chance of getting out of here undetected. I...just tell Po I said goodbye."
Mr. Ping looked genuinely upset. "You're not even going to stay for the hanging sun lanterns...?" She shakes her head no, and he sighed."He'll be so disappointed...but if you insist." Mr. Ping reached into his pack and handed something to her, and her eyes were filled with surprise. "Po wanted you to have this sun lantern as a proper thank-you for saving his life that time when you both met. He been spending a very long time on it, and he hopes you really like it."
Fenghuang was genuinely surprised by what she saw on the sun lantern. Po was not the best artist in the world, but one could tell that he put a lot of concentrated work onto this lantern. He had gotten her features in the form of a colorful silhouette of her raising her wings and soaring through the skies, a beautifully detailed shade of purple, knowing that was her favorite color. On the other side of the lantern, she was in full color, standing in front of the noodle shop though she was not flying around this time. This time she was merely standing around and looking somewhat happy. She didn't see the big significance in...no...wait..there was something significant there.
Po was holding her left wing with a large smile.
Fenghuang could not believe what she was seeing. Though there were no words present, the images themselves were more than enough to convey the message. The Cub looks up to me...He didn't care about what she did in the distant past. He only cared about what she was doing with in during the present. Them having fun together, laughing together, eating together, being friendly towards one another...he's focused entirely on those memories instead of those that involve her inflicting pain on others. Truthfully, she was going to give him a present. But she didn't think he would give him one in return...
"Po..." She said gently. Then that same unsettling wind blew through her feathers. Then her eyes narrowed and knew why she felt so unsettled. "Thanks for giving me the gift, Mr. Ping. I better go." She said with hidden urgency as she flew away in a blur. Mr. Ping and Mrs. Yun watched her fly off, then they looked at one another.
"...Are you two 'friendly' with one another?"
"Really, Mrs. Yun? You're gonna do this now?" Mr. Ping deadpanned.
Back at the shop, the three kids were still talking with one another, currently unaware of the danger that they were in. Hidden in the shadows of the night, one wolf was watching them from the rooftops, a rather emotionless glare on his face. The children were in the way, he didn't expect anyone to actually be there. Well it didn't matter, he would just eliminate them silently and take whatever was inside...
Tigress sniffed the air once, and she narrowed her eyes. "Someone is watching us..."
"What, where?!" Fung panicked slightly, looking around quickly. "Who's watching us?!"
Tigress kept sniffing, while staying perfectly still, trying to get an exact idea on who's watching them. When she heard the short but slightly audible sound of a throwing knife being thrown, and she quickly pushed Po and Fung out of the way. Right where they stood, three throwing knives were stuck to the ground where they just were standing much the shock of Po and Fung. She looked up to see the wolf growling at him missing his marks. She didn't like the look he was giving the three of them. He was hostile, for sure.
"You three kids...just stand still and allow me to kill you." He said quietly. No one is supposed to see him on this operation. His superiors won't be happy at all.
"Kill...? Why would they..." Fung said quietly. He then screeched in panic when he sees the wolf slash with a sword, and dodged to the right. While he was still rolling, he was kicked aside, into the wall. He groaned slightly, and his helmet fell off of his head and rolled across the ground. "Darn...it..."
"Oh no, Fung!" Po shouted as he tried to run towards him. Though the wolf got in his way and knocked him into thw ground. He shouted out in pain and held his head from the sudden pain. He felt the wolf's sword touch his neck, and he stopped moving completely.
"You're the child..." He said quietly. "I'm awfully sorry about this, but you can't be allowed to live. Not with the potential threat you present. You probably do not know what I'm talking about. But it won't matter in a couple moments..."
"Double-Palm Strike!" Tigress shouted as she thrusted both her palms into his chest, pushing him back into the wall and creating slight cracks into it. She'd apologize to Mr. Ping later. "Leave him alone!"
He growled while getting back up, mildly irritated. "Wretched troublesome cub..." He said. Moving swiftly, he appeared before Tigress and knocked her aside as well with little effort. She crashed into the ground in a heap. Her growl was deep as she held her head, which was slightly bleeding now. She jumped up and clawed at his face, he yelped and punched her into the ground even harder. The pain was even more apparent now as she held her head. Who is he...? Too strong...
"You are starting to get on my nerves, cub." He snarled. He began reaching out to bite her, but he was hit in the head with a pot by Po, from behind. The sensation of metal impacting his skull was excruciating, but he steeled through ot and backhanded the panda, knocking him into the corner. He then lunged and bit into his shoulder, making him cry out in immense pain. "You're aggravating me as well! I'm just going to end you right here!"
"Gagh!" Po shouted, as the wolf bites down harder onto his shoulder. Po grabbed the pot again and bashed his head, making him let go. He kneeled to the ground, holding his heavily bleeding shoulder. "...dude...what is your problem!?" He shouted more in anger than in pain. "If you have a problem with me, then I should be the only one that matters! Stop attacking my friends!"
"Po. Stop talking like that!" Fung shouted, though his headache prevented him from moving. Tigress was panicking as she was not strong enough to defend Po against whoever this was. The wolf was no longer interested in their affairs, he was here to kill the panda. They were merely being a distraction. He raised his blade to cut down Po...
"Go ahead. Bring down that sword. You'll be down before you even reach him." He turned around to see Fenghuang glaring straight at him. She then noticed the mark on his armor, and her eyes were wide with shock. N...No way...he's from...She shook her head and focused on getting the wolf away. She swiftly moved and grabbed him by the shoulders and threw him outside the shop harshly. He recovered quickly and stood upright to confront her. "Why would you come all the way out here, dog?"
"I'm here to kill the panda cub."
Fenghuang's eyes narrowed. Then they slitted. "Why would you want to do that...?"
"That's none of your concern."
"That's a bunch of bull." She spread her wings and scrapped her talons to the ground. I don't care if I get caught now. This dog is not going to kill Po while I'm here to stop him. "I'm bringing you down...RIGHT NOW." She rushed forward ans kicked him in the chest, sending him skidding backwards, but he recovered quickly, again. She was not letting this wolf out of her sight. She just couldn't, he was far too dangerous. She flew towards him and flapped her wings hard, sending a gust of wind his way, though he rolled to the right to avoid it.
The wolf reached back, and whipped out his chain hammer to lash it at her. She narrowed her eyes and ducked under it when it flies over her. She smirked, thinking he just made a big mistake, though she remembered the important detail, and she barely managed to avoid it a second time when it came flying back from behind her. She nearly forgot about that trick. This couldn't be anymore than a mere scout probably because he thought he was dealing with a mere cub. He surely didn't expect her to be here.
Then she got angry at yet another thought. This was the holidays. Po and friends shoupd be spending it being together. Not fearing for his life. Her irritation grew, and her will to toy with this wolf diminished in mere seconds. She spun around quickly. It confused the wolf for a moment. "Spinning around? That's won't confuse me." He launched his chain hammer, though she disappeared at the last moment. "What-"
She reappeared right in front of him, a wing straight to his chest. "Thundering Wing Hammer." Right after she casually said those words, a blue orb of light shot out of her wing and impacted his chest. It caused him to be blown back,and he coughed up blood due to the intense force impacting him, and he fell across the landscape before landing in a heap against a building. She tucked in her wings and turned to Mr. Ping's shop. "Po? Are you okay?"
He blinked, and nodded with a smile. "Y-Yeah...my shoulder hurts a lot...but I'm fine..."
"Good." She nodded. His shoulder was messed up, but he was okay. There was one thing bothering her...
Why would the Lin Kuei pick Po as an assasination target...? All of a sudden, she heard the sound of a staff hitting the ground, and she turned to the sound. It was as she expected. She feared this would happen. Well, I might as well face the music... She took a deep breath and calmed herself. With her actions, this was bound to happen.
"My my...it's been quite a long time, Fenghuang." Oogway's voice called out. He stood across from her, a calm smile plastered on his face.
Fenghuang lowered her eyes and spoke back in a just as calm tone, returning his smile with a smirk. "Hello, turtle bastard."
"I thought you would have mellowed out a bit since our last meeting."
"You can't always be right."
"Hmhm. That's true."
A gust of wind blew by the both of them. Both of them were very tranquil, and yet their auras, green for Oogway and purple for Fenghuang, were repeatedly clashing with one another, multiple times, thought it was invisible to everyone else. She knew she was in a tight situation. All the other Master's were gathered in the Jade Palace, and if need be, they'll be down here as well. If she fights Oogway now, she'll be too exhausted to fight off the other Masters. Flying off will just make them give immediate chase.
In other words, there's nowhere to run this time.
...Busted. The owl has been totally busted.
How will Fenghuang handle this situation? Will she get out unscathed?
But most importantly...how will Po react? Because it will most surely be significant. Well anyway, that'll be enough for now.
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