Chapter 5 : Two Different Fates

"Why would Master want to see us?" Viper asked as she slithered to Hall of Warriors. Her friends were following her.

"I want to know too," Monkey said. "But believe it or not, I have a feeling that Master will tell us something terrible. Maybe about an attack or an invasion or something else in another village."

"Ow... why is it always something bad?" Po groaned. "We'd never get good news. Like a feast or a vacation to somewhere beautiful."

"What are you expecting? We're warriors. We always get more bad news than a good one."

"Great... Now I almost regret being The Dragon Warrior."

"Po?!" Tigress glared at him. "Don't ever regret being a legendary warrior."

They arrived in Hall of Heroes, where their master was waiting for them.

"Oh. You have come?"

"Master Shifu. Are there any problems?" Po asked him. "Is there another attack? Bandits? Pirates? Robbers? Thieves—"

"I summoned you all for another matter."

Po sighed in relieve. "Phew. That's good. I thought something bad is happening."

"If this isn't about any attacks, why did you call us, Master?" Crane asked.

"Well...uh, there is something I must tell to you. Something important." His glance never leaving the panda and the tiger.

"Something important?"

"I know I should've told you about this a long time ago. But trust me when I say that I just found out about it this morning and...and... was confused whether to tell you about it."

"How bad is it?"

"This could change your life. I mean—both of your lives."

"Both of us?" Po was looking around at the ones he was referring to ; Himself and Tigress.

"Promise me, that after I tell you this, nothing between you will change or anything."

His students shrugged, but they said, "We promise."

"Very well then." Master Shifu paused in doubt. He looked at Tigress. "Tigress. Do you remember the legend I've always told you when you were a kid?"

"A legend?" Tigress asked back. "You meant about the fighting between Long and Khan?"

"Right."

"I know that story!" Po exclaimed. "My dad used to tell me that story every time I went to my bed when I was little. In that story, it is said that one day, the Warrior of Black and White, called The Dragon Warrior will defeat the reincarnation of Khan. Ah... that was a really awesome story. Even more so when I know that I am that Dragon Warrior because I thought The Warrior of Black and White could be a skunk."

"It's not just a story."

"Really?"

Master Shifu nodded.

"That was what really happened over a thousand years ago. It's a real story."

"I didn't know that. So, China will be in danger? Oh..." suddenly, it occured to him. "I know what you'll say. I am that Dragon Warrior and you want me to defeat the tiger that will destroy China, right? If so, then this is a bad news. But it will be fun cause I gotta save China all over again."

Master Shifu looked depressed. He leaned on his staff and shook his head. "I want China to be safe too, but I—I—" he couldn't continue his sentence.

"But what?"

"My Lords! How do I say it...?" Shifu said in despair.

"Master Shifu," Tigress spoke as she kneeled down before her master. "Is it something dangerous?"

Master Shifu dropped his staff and all of a sudden, hugged his tiger student.

"Master? What's going on?"

"You...you must remember," Shifu talked without releasing the hug. "That no matter what happens, you are not a monster. You are a warrior."

"I know but—what's wrong master? Are you okay?"

Master Shifu released the hug. "I...I'm okay."

"I don't think so. You're acting weird."

The red panda knew that he could not hide what he felt. Anyone would feel the same if they were him.

"Listen to me," Master Shifu continued, he was trying to be calm. "especially you two. Po, now you know the duty that awaits you. You—"

"I know. I have to find and defeat the reincarnation of Khan. So, when will I begin my adventure?"

"Stop interrupting when I'm talking, Panda!" His master shouted.

"Oops. Sorry."

"I don't expect you to defeat that tiger. You must let it go free."

Po frowned. "Huh? But I thought—"

"Don't argue me. You don't know who you will face if you decide to follow your path."

"I know who I will face. I'll face the harshest tiger in all of China and even it's more evil than Tai Lung or even Lord Shen. If I just sit and let him go, China will be in danger."

"We agree with Po," Mantis said. "You don't need to be worried, Master. We'll always there to help him."

"Juts obey my order!" Master Shifu almost snapped.

"Master," Tigress said. "I am a tiger myself. And I will help Po to defeat his enemy even if it is my own kind. You taught me that to be a warrior, we must protect the innocent and fight villains. Why did you change your mind?"

Master Shifu looked at her again with his sad look. "Because...because... that tiger is... you."

"Pardon me, Master?"

Shifu closed his eyes and turned away. "Tigress, what if I told you that you... are the reincarnation of Khan."

Silence filled the hall. They stared at each other in confusion.

Po laughed, breaking the silence. "Ha...ha...ha... You're good in Kung Fu and stuff Master Shifu, but you're not as gifted in making jokes."

Master Shifu expression didn't change. He bowed his head, staring at floor. Nothing could be heard except for Po's laughter, but even that sounded weird.

Tigress, without expression in her face, only watched her master. "How do you know it was me? How do you know you aren't wrong?"

"Hold a second." Po stopped his laughter. "You weren't kidding?"

"I never kid," the red panda master shook his head, "and I hate this reality."

"But, Hey. How did you know that—that tiger was Tigress? There are so many tigers in this world. What about that cocky tiger we just found? Come on... you must be wrong."

"I wish I was wrong. But the dream you got last night was a sign. A sign that the time has come for you to face your fate."

"No...no...no..." Po was still trying to convince his master. "That dream is only a flower bed, a faux. It means nothing. Other people could have the same dream as well."

"But the dream you got is a dream that only the chosen one will get. The dragon and the tiger you saw last night was Long and Khan. It is the truth."

"They both could be another dragon and tiger. This...this is must be wrong. I'm sure about it."

Master Shifu stayed silent.

"True, isn't it?" Po asked. "You're just kidding."

Tacitly, the master glanced at Tigress. On the outside, she was calm. But Shifu knew. Deep inside, she was in turmoil.

"Tigress," Master Shifu addressed her. "Now that you know who you really are. Please, don't change."

Tigress just kept silent and didn't respond. With her current expression, it was difficult to guess what was going on in her mind. She just seemed like Shifu. Cold, calculative and pensive.

"I know it's a shocking news for you," Shifu went on. "and believe me you're not the only one. If only I could choose, I would choose to not telling you. But I can't hide anything after all."

Po took a look at Tigress. He had a hard time believing that one day, this tiger would die by his arms.

"That's impossible, Master." Po stated firmly. "That won't be happening and you know that."

"I don't know anything. I don't even know what your future will be."

"Come on, Master. You—you can't take this thing seriously. Tell you what, let's forget what you just said and begin our activities as usual. We can pretend nothing ever happened."

To be honest, Master Shifu was glad to hear that from Po. He was beginning to think that everything will turn out fine. He also felt proud to have such a student like Po. A Dragon Warrior that wasn't hungry for glory or fame. He admitted he was stupid to worry that Po would follow his path. Yes. Po was the perfect student.

"Thank you, Dragon Warrior," Master Shifu smiled. "I'm relieved."

Po waved his hand. "You know me inside and outside, Shifu."

"How about you, Tigress?" the master asked.

Tigress didn't reply. Shifu's happy face turned into one of sorrow to see that Tigress was distressed.

"Tigress?"

"Forgive me, Master." Tigress tilted her head. "I think I need some fresh air."

Without saying anything, Tigress starting walking away from her master and friends. When she reached the door, she began running. She didn't notice the other tiger, Prince Yuan Sheng, hiding behind a pillar with an evil smile on his face.

Master Shifu looked at the doorway. He sighed. "She can't take it."

"Should we go after her?" Viper asked.

"Just let her be alone. I'm sure she is heading out to peach tree to meditate. Oh, Po—there is one more problem."

"What is it? It's not something big, right?"

"It is. I want you to do everything you need to remove our visitor from the palace."

"Are you referring the prince?" Mantis asked.

"Indeed. His objective of coming here is to take Tigress with him back to the Darknest Land."

"Hey! That can't be happening!" an exclaim came from a panda.

"I know. Unlike us, all tigers out there still want the war to continue. They'll keep fighting and won't stop until they get their glory back."

"Ugh. If I had known all of these is going to happen, I wouldn't have helped him." Po grumbled in annoyance. "I disliked him since the moment he first started talking."