The Valley of Peace was brimming with activity early in the morning. The bright sun had just barely begun to peak over the mountains to the east, and yet not a single soul in the central village remained asleep. Cotton mills were hard at work refining the fine threads of fabric and sewing them into warm clothing to be sold to different shops in the market. Drug stores had long since opened their doors so the people of the valley could buy medicine, and restaurants had begun passing out menus so that their eager customers could have a fine breakfast; as usual, the most popular of them was Ping's Noodle Shop on the main road. Various animals were already placing their orders; pigs, bunnies, sheep and old billy goats all ready to eat. Mr. Ping, a middle-aged goose, was hard at work juggling the orders and slicing up the vegetables while his son, a Panda by the name of Po, mixed them all together in a large caldron over a flame, creating the most popular item at the shop: the Secret Ingredient Soup. All was happening as it always had, each and every day. That is, until a new face entered the restaurant.
Hardly anyone took notice of him; a white tiger, maybe 27 years old. He was well groomed and dressed warmly in a brown coat; it was slightly worn down, with a few loose threads here and there. The pants he wore were a different story. In better condition, seemingly the lower half of a Tang Suit, but not of the highest quality. He carried with him a misshapen quarter staff and a medium sized bag; the kind used by most travelers who journeyed through the valley. After glancing around, the tiger walked himself past the many overcrowded tables and to the front counter, where Mr. Ping was dicing beats. The goose was obviously experienced and focused on his task, so the tiger politely waited until his chance to order.
Mr. Ping spoke almost as soon as his final knife stroke fell. "New to the valley, are you?"
The tiger smiled, amused albeit surprised by the old Goose's deduction. "How did you-?"
"I've seen more than enough travelers to know one when I see one, and if your face is new to me, that means you haven't been to my shop. And if you haven't been to my shop, you probably don't live in the valley. So, what brings you?"
"I'm just passing by, boss. The sun and stars guided me this way. I'll be heading up the mountain, in search of the one they call Oogway."
The goose chortled a bit upon hearing that name, while Po suddenly came to attention in the background, obviously intending to eavesdrop on their conversation. "If you head up the mountain, you'll find Oogway. But an audience with him won't be as easy as walking up those stairs. You'll first have to get past Shifu and his students; you can imagine how many undesirable characters find their way to those gates. Just ask my son; he's been chased away at least twice."
The tiger smiled. "I'll keep that in mind and be sure to take care when I reach them. It has been a long trip, though, so I would love some steamed dumplings," he replied, placing three copper coins on the counter.
"Of course. Have a seat anywhere, my son will bring them out nice and hot-"
"They're ready!" Po suddenly shouted, walking to the front with a little steaming basket tied in a cloth. The dumplings were handed out along with a small painting of a group of five warriors. "If you make it, could you get the five to sign this?"
The tiger gratefully took his food, but gently slid the painting back over the counter. "Have them sign it yourself when you make it as well. Thanks for the food, Mr. Ping."
"Yes, come again, eh…?"
"Liàng."
"Liàng," Ping repeated, briefly waving goodbye as the tiger made his exit. Not a single person gave him a second glance as he walked out the door and continued on his path.
The stairs were many and without mercy, it seemed at first glance. Liàng took a moment to marvel at the construct before him, amazed at the work it must've taken to create so many leading up the mountain. After showing the proper appreciation for them, he took his first steps onward and upward. The sun was high in the sky by the time he reached the top, only slightly out of breath. Looking back, Liàng was even more impressed by the sheer number of stairs he had just scaled. Taking a moment to collect himself, he turned back to face the palace before him. A look of determination overcame his face, as though the memory of something of great importance drove him on. Seeing that the front gate to the main courtyard was left open, the tiger walked in.
There was nobody in sight. By all observation, the palace looked deserted. No guards, no staff, not a single person was walking by on the stone pathways. But Liàng knew it wasn't as it seemed. If there were no people there at that moment, there would be later. Crossing his legs, he sat down on the ground in the center of the courtyard and unwrapped the dumplings he had bought from Mr. Ping. After saying a silent thank you for the meal, the tiger began delicately eating each individual morsel. He took his time with each one, knowing that they were made with care and should be eaten with the same. Though he savored them, the six dumplings were gone within twenty minutes. Liàng made sure to wrap up what remained of the basket and set it aside to be disposed of later before standing.
The tiger suddenly froze. His ears twitched and moved, listening to everything around him; something had changed. The subtle breeze through the trees on the mountain was accompanied by something else. The rustle of cotton clothing, the striking of feet moving quickly and stealthily around him. He was being surrounded, very quickly. The number of assailants was unclear; for the most part, he was certain there were five, but every so often it sounded like there were three more. But Liàng had no intention of fighting. Very calmly, he placed his things on the floor and stood straight up.
"I know you're there," he said, placing his right fist into his left palm and bowing cordially. "I've come to see Master Oogway."
In an instant, five warriors appeared all around him. Directly in front of him was a traditionally colored tiger, unlike himself. To his front left and right stood a monkey and a crane, while behind stood a little praying mantis and a viper poised to strike. All five of them stood in stances respective to their styles of Kung Fu, and didn't falter in their defense even when he made no movement at all. From the talk he had heard throughout the towns in the Valley of Peace, he knew each of their names already.
"Nobody sees Master Oogway unless he sends for them. Who are you?" Tigress asked forcefully.
"My name is Liàng," he replied, straightening his posture. "Please. It's very important that I speak with him."
"What could be so important?" Crane asked.
Liàng hesitated before saying, "its for Oogway to hear first."
"Then we can't help you. You need to leave," said Viper from behind.
"I can't do that, I'm sorry."
All five advanced, Tigress much closer than the rest. "You're leaving," she stated, her voice forceful and absolute.
Raising his hands to eye level, Liàng attempted to be as non-threatening as possible. "I can't-"
Before he had a chance to finish his statement, Tigress had advanced and attempted a palm-heel strike to his chest with her right hand. But raising his hands as he did served a second purpose: it put him in a position to defend against just such an attack. Using his left hand to deflect the strike and take hold of her arm, Liàng stepped forward while pulling her in and struck her right shoulder with his elbow. The force of his strike was enough to put Tigress off balance, and he took advantage of this by moving his left leg behind her right knee. By then pivoting to the right, that knee was turned and forced to bend, preventing her from regaining her footing. With a quick slam of his torso into hers, Tigress was knocked back and rolling across the floor.
The remaining four warriors didn't hesitate to join in the fight, which put Liàng in a bad position. Being flanked was no warriors ideal situation, and so as he was charged from behind he implemented a touch of acrobatics to leap and spiral parallel to the ground. Both Viper and Mantis dashed beneath him while Monkey and Crane fell victim to the aerial split kick which followed the spiraling. The two were knocked back while Viper and Mantis both regrouped with Tigress. All five were now in front of Liàng, and he wasn't eager to fight them. But seeing no other way, the white tiger finally took his own fighting stance. Leading with his left leg, he stepped forwards and angled his left elbow outwards. The curve of his left arm followed back to his chest, where his hand was left in an open palm. His right arm followed underneath the elbow, where that hand was angled up in the position for a palm strike. Widening his legs, he prepared to counter whatever their next move was.
From beyond the quartyard, a slow figure traversed the pathways of the palace. The stout green elder walked with the aid of his staff around the corner to witness the beginnings of the battle unfold between the five warriors of the valley and this new stranger. Master Oogway was intrigued by him, and watched how he positioned himself when the fighting began. And when the five stood together before this white tiger ready to fight, he stood his ground. So determined was Liàng to speak with Oogway that he would willingly face down China's fiercest team of fighters. His determination alone made Oogway just as interested, and so he moved swiftly to stand within earshot of the six warriors.
"Stop," he said gently. And though his voice was soft, everyone heard it. The five quickly collected themselves and turned to bow respectfully.
"Master," they said in unison.
Tigress stood out among them in that moment. While the other four were easily put at ease in their master's presence, Tigress seemed agitated. Though it wasn't apparent to any of the other warriors, Master Oogway's wise gaze saw through her. She had been bested in a single exchange with the stranger and hadn't gotten the chance to even the score, let alone secure a victory.
"Master, we were just-" Crane began.
"Welcoming our guest?" Oogway asked, his usual playful smile on his face.
Liàng stepped forward urgently, though still bowing with respect for Oogway, and spoke. "Master, allow me to explain-"
"No. Monkey, Mantis, Viper and Crane will join me by the cherry blossoms. The sun is warm and the breeze is cool, perfect for patient spectation. Tigress alone will face our guest, and then we will sit in for tea while we wait on Shifu."
The four of the five who were instructed to reluctantly followed Oogway to the cherry trees, where they all sat and watched. Tigress seemed more than eager to get her second chance, while Liàng only sought to do as Oogway wished. The master he came to find surely had his reasons, and so both tigers returned to their stances. Tigress' stance was completely offensive, taking a low position with one arm pulled back to strike and the other in front to counter. Clearly, she would be the first to attack. And when she did, she did so with a fury. Leading with a flurry of jabs and strikes, Liàng did his best to block and deflect, not allowing a single strike to hit its mark. It was clear in the way he defended that he didn't want to attack; he had no desire to fight. Still, Tigress persisted and grew in ferocity with each passing moment.
The tides of the fight finally shifted when Tigress was able to land one singular hit. With all of her strength and speed, the skilled feline worked herself into an opening left when Liàng defended against a side kick. Seizing the moment, Tigress struck her adversary in the chest with enough force to send him sliding back, even with his feet planted firmly on the ground. And at the moment she landed that one blow, the tables of the fight turned; yet they turned against her. Liàng went on the attack. With a fire sparked in his eyes, he slid inside Tigress' defenses and planted a powerful punch to her rib cage. That punch, strong enough to freeze tigress in place as she processed the pain, was soon followed by a series of jabs to the same point. The pain was intense, making it difficult for Tigress to gather herself. As soon as she was able, she attempted to do a palm strike to Liàng's temple, but she was slow and he was ready. Slipping beneath her arm, the white tiger planted one final forearm strike to her ribs before slamming into her with his entire body again. This knocked her back just a few inches, but it was as much room as he needed. Leaping into the air with a single turn, his leg swung out for a powerful kick. That kick was enough to knock Tigress off of her feet and straight to the ground, where all she could do was lay and clench the one point where Liàng has focused his attacks.
As the white tiger returned to his stance, still staring with a fire in his eyes, the other four warriors all stood and attempted to dash to their friend's aid. Oogway, however, wasn't done watching and quickly stopped them from proceeding. He said nothing, but the four were obedient to his raised hand which signaled them to take no action. For a few moments, nothing happened. Tigress made no attempt to stand, nor did Liàng move to attack. Instead, after taking in a drawn out breath, the young feline composed himself and stood straight up. His eyes grew soft, and his expression showed regret. Walking slowly to where Tigress lay, Liàng knelt to the ground and placed a hand on her shoulder. Tigress' first reaction was to flinch and attempt to put up her defenses, only to cause herself more pain.
"Easy," Liàng said, holding his hands up to show that he meant her no harm. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. Let me." Offering her his hand, he smiled warmly.
Cautiously, she accepted. Though she grimaced in pain, Tigress was able to sit in an upright position. "Thank you," she said, though her voice sounded reluctant.
Nodding, Liàng replied, "Thanks for taking it easy on me. You'll have some decent bruising here, and one of your ribs may be displaced. It won't heal until it's been relocated."
Master Oogway was smiling as he watched and listened. He knew from the beginning that this stranger's Kung Fu would overpower any one of the five. He could sense his Chi as if it were a smoldering fire, stronger than any but himself. And by his demeanor, Oogway knew there was no threat to be encountered when he walked through the gates.
"Here," said Liàng, "this will help."
Placing two fingers to the area he'd been striking, he began massaging the damaged rib. Tigress grimaced, both in pain and in disgust, as did the other four warriors when they heard the popping and cracking noises which came from her rib cage. After less than a minute, Liàng was done and stood from where he sat, offering to help Tigress do the same. The feline warrior, giving a cold glare at her recent adversary, stood without aid. Though she continued to clench her side, Tigress did her best to appear strong and unfazed by the attacks delivered with divine accuracy.
Smiling with satisfaction, Oogway finally dropped the hand which had held the other four at bay. Each of them briskly moved to join Tigress and Liàng, though none of them stood at the male tiger's side. Viper even went so far as to place herself between the two, creating a defensive barrier. Each of them was giving Liàng some form of a distasteful look. After only a few moments, Oogway stood from his seated position and approached the six warriors.
"Well done, Master Tigress. There is no dishonor in this defeat; take comfort in that. This young warrior has been trained well beyond his years. Tell me, who was your master?"
"I am a disciple of Guäm," Liàng replied. "Master, I've come from another...from a land far from here, and I've come with a grave warning. I must speak with you privately."
"Well, seeing as how Shifu has finally arrived. We just might get to talk of this warning," Oogway stated cheerilly.
As if on cue to his statement, a little red panda came waltzing from behind another building with nothing but irritation in his eyes. "What is the meaning of all this noise? What's going on out here?"
"You are wound too tightly, old friend. There is nothing to be concerned about; we have a guest with whom Tigress was practicing."
Hearing Oogway's explanation, Shifu took a quick glance across the various bodies in the courtyard until he laid his eyes on the only one which he had never met. Liàng quickly bowed, showing all the deserved respect to a renowned Kung Fu Master. Shifu wasn't so quick to show such respect, for his eyes next fell upon Tigress who still clenched her injured rib cage. The surprise in the small animal's eyes was clear as dirt beneath their feet. Shifu glanced rapidly between the two tigers of various color schemes, as if comparing them side by side and looking for differences. Finally, his eyes once again rested on Liàng.
"You bested Tigress?" He asked, sounding truly shocked.
Tigress opened her mouth to interject and defend her own honor, but she herself was surprised to hear Liàng's voice cut her off.
"In a single altercation, yes. I landed a few lucky attacks, but I was on the defense for most of the match. Tigress truly is as ferocious as the stories say," he explained, surprising the feline beside him.
"Well there you have it. I'd say that clears things up, wouldn't you?" Oogway replied, grinning with closed eyes at Shifu. "Now, we should retire to the kitchen for tea so our friend may explain his visit."
"Wait, but Master," Liàng said, stepping forth and inciting all but Oogway to tense up, "with all due respect, I must speak with you alone."
"Hmm," he replied, never losing his warm smile, "It is true, I am the oldest in the palace. I have taught many the ways of Kung Fu. Set many on paths of self-discovery. Once, I plucked Shifu from a school, and led him here to be trained as my pupil. He is my student and a very old friend, but he is the master of this palace, not I. In this way, he is also my master as much as I am his. Anything which concerns me must also concern him. Come, let us go."
Without waiting for so much as a nod in reply, Oogway turned and began a slow-paced walk towards the inner parts of the palace. Shifu followed him without a word, motioning for Liàng to do the same. After a moment's hesitation, the young tiger followed while the five warriors left behind watched the three of them leave. It wasn't long before Oogway pushed open the doors to the desired room and led his two companions inside. Liàng was the last to enter, and was surprised to find a pot of tea already steaming on the table. Shifu was the first to speak when all had taken their seats.
"Now, tell me, Master Tiger, what is it you've come to tell us?"
He chuckled at the title bestowed to him. "Thank you, but I'm not a master. Not yet."
"Surely you give yourself too little credit, young one. No mere novice could hold his own against even a single warrior of the Jade Place," Oogway replied. "You said when you arrived that you have come from a land far from here. But in saying, you also hesitated to reveal even that much information."
"There isn't much that escapes your perception, is there Master Oogway? It's true, I did hesitate. But not because I have anything to hide. I suppose I should start from the beginning. My name is Liàng, disciple of Master Guäm and the Order of Light. At least, those are the words written on this letter," he said, removing a folded up piece of paper from his outer robe. It was finely crafted paper, which he unfolded to reveal letters of golden ink. "In truth, I myself know very little. I know my name, and I know Kung fu. I have knowledge of the names and people this letter speaks of, but I know not what they look like nor where they hail from. I know I was sent here to give a warning."
Shifu listened closely, but the suspicion and doubt could be seen in his eyes. "And exactly what warning does that letter tell you to deliver?"
"The letter tells nothing of my warning. Of that, I've forgotten nothing."
"Then please," said Oogway, "do continue."
"The order I serve is sworn to protect the good of this world from those corrupted from darkness, but rarely have there been any so corrupted that we were forced to act. Until now, when the darkness has made its move. An army of spirit warriors marched on my home. We couldn't fight them off, so I was sent to deliver this message in hopes of completing my training so that if and when they strike again, I'll be ready."
The room was silent for only a few short moments of contemplation. Oogway seemed interested, as if he were listening to a good story. Shifu, however, seemed more skeptical. For in truth, he had heard many a tall tail by those seeking training within the walls of the Jade Palace. Many had come and tried to convince him to accept them as a student, and so he had to harden himself against outlandish stories such as this. Much the skeptic, he prodded for more details.
"An army of darkness, and you say the soldiers are called Spirit Warriors?" He asked.
"Yes, that is correct."
"And what exactly is a Spirit Warrior?"
"A soul since departed. In life, they were powerful warriors. Masters of the dark aspects of Chi." Oogway's interest was greatly peaked by the mention of Chi. "With these arts, they remain linked to an immortal existence. When they appear to us, they are cloaked in shadows. Unrecognizable from their original bodies."
"So, just so I'm certain I understand you correctly," Shifu said, "you've come from a place you don't remember, sent by people you can't recall, to warn us of an impending attack by the forces of darkness and an army of immortal masters of Chi, and the only solution for this inevitable invasion is to train you and only you so that you might defeat them all on your own?"
The tone in Shifu's voice was clear. In summing up the details of Liàng's tail, he made clear how ludicrous it sounded and in turn made clear his disbelief. He wasn't buying a single word of it, and had no intention of using it as a basis for accepting a new student. Hearing it, the young tiger grew anxious. He needed to convince the two masters of what he was saying.
"I swear its the truth, Master. I need only further my skills and master the control of my own Chi and I can defeat them!" He said. "My order, we are born with more power than you could know. A light in our hearts which manifests in our Chi."
"Chi takes a lifetime to master. Many of the greatest names in Kung Fu never even came close. I cannot even invigorate a drooping lotus, myself. If you truly expect me to believe this story, then demonstrate for us this power of yours," Shifu replied.
Liàng fell silent. Given a direct path to success, the young warrior knew that he could not do what was being asked of him. "I can't," he said, lowering his gaze to the table. "That's why I need to be trained. To learn to master my Chi."
Throughout the entire conversation, Oogway had said nothing. In truth, the old turtle did not believe nor did he disbelieve the story spun by Liàng. He instead waited, in all his wisdom, to see how events unfolded. He could hear the sincerity in the young tiger's voice, but also knew his old friend well enough to know that he would never believe such a story without proof. Liàng would not be accepted as a student, this much was clear.
"Crane," Shifu said, looking towards the entrance to the kitchen. From there, Master Crane of the Furious Five, whom Liàng had met earlier that same day, appeared from around the corner. How long he'd been there was unknown. "Would you and the five please escort our guest out of the palace?"
"Yes Master," Crane replied, entering the room along with the other four who appeared in a similar manner as he had.
The five warriors all shot within threatening proximity to the tiger. Liàng knew there was no talking his way into the palace; he would need proof of his claims. And so, with defeat lingering in his eyes, he stood and allowed himself to be led to the front gate of the palace. None of the five spoke to him on the walk, but Liàng could feel Master Tigress's eyes burning holes in his clothes. She was eyeballing him, but not in a threatening manner. It was a burning inquisition which drove her gaze. Tigress couldn't see how a warrior of his young age with the skill to best her even for a moment could fail to earn his way into the palace. Why would he make up such a bizarre story? Surely he would've known lying so obviously would result in his rejection.
"Unless," she thought. "Unless he really wasn't lying, and the truth truly is so severe that it seems impossible."
When the six warriors arrived at the top of the staircase, they stopped. To Liàng, seeing the slope of the mountain was like staring defeat in the eyes with no way to avoid it.
"You'll find a place to stay in the valley below. There are plenty of places to buy food, but I recommend you go back to wherever you're from. If you've been seen by anyone entering or leaving the palace, you could be assumed as an important person. Take the north road if you can," Viper said, sounding sympathetic to his situation. When she was finished, she, Mantis, Monkey, and Crane all turned and walked back through the main gates of the palace.
Tigress didn't move. She continued to eyeball Liàng, her mind still racing. "I hope Shifu was right."
"What?" Liàng asked, turning and facing her.
"I hope he was right. That you were either lying or mad. I hope that none of what you said was true. Gods help us if it was," she replied.
He smiled gloomily hearing her words. It made him happy to know that at least one person believed him, but sad to know it would make no difference. "Gods help us then. Take care, Master Tigress." Liàng bowed respectfully to her before turning and beginning the slow and unsteady walk down the stairs. It would be nightfall by the time he reached town.
Tigress watched him walk away. His words hung heavily in the air, knocking around in her mind. He wasn't lying; that much was clear. As he vanished down those stairs, she rubbed her rib cage where a bruise had formed and prayed that he was crazy. Prayed that whatever he spoke of was nothing but the spoutings of a delusional cat.
