Chapter 18 : Heroes Around Enemies

Before she knew it, she was in the same place again.

On the same land.

With the same surroundings.

And, the same tiger.

Yes. It was him again.

Without being told by anyone, Tigress knew without a doubt that she was dreaming.

And the dream was taking her to her predecessor, Khan, the leader of the tiger clan from a thousand years ago.

Once again, the old tiger offered his sword to Tigress.

"Take it," he said solemnly. "And be my successor."

Tigress frowned at him. "Go away."

"I can't," he replied. "I live within you."

"No, you don't and never will." Tigress argued. "And I will never do what you say."

Khan suddenly laughed. "Why not? You and I are one. We're the same. Your destiny mine, and ours is to conquer China."

Tigress scoffed. "Only in your dreams, Old Man. You can keep going on about it. I'll just shut my ear on you."

"Let me remind you again," Khan repeated. "This is for yours and our people's own good."

"You're nothing but only an old tiger who has died a thousand years ago. You can't do anything to control my life."

"I can, because I've already decided what your destiny will be. There's no way you can avoid it."

"Who says I can't?" Tigress challenged.

"If you avoid your destiny as my successor, you can't avoid your fate afterwards."

Before Tigress could reply, Khan disappeared.

But another figure appeared.

A giant panda.

"Po!" Tigress exclaimed.

The panda smirked and tried to stab Tigress with a sword.

"No!" Tigress caught the sword before it could reach her neck, but at the same time, Po kicked her in the chest, sending her crashing into the ground.

Unable to rise up in time, she watched in horror as the sword descended upon her.

TLoTDaTT

"Master Tigress… Master Tigress…," Someone shook her shoulder persistently. "Wake up."

"No!" Tigress gasped, jumping awake in alarm.

"Master Tigress, calm down! It's me."

"Huh?" Tigress focused on the one who had just woke her up. "Yong?"

"Are you okay?" The maid asked.

"What… what happened?"

"I'm not sure, Master Tigress," Yong replied. "But I think you had a nightmare."

"I did?" Tigress looked around. She was sitting beneath a tree in the palace's backyard.

"You shouldn't sleep here." The maid gently chided as she helped Tigress stand.

Tigress palmed her face as shook her head. "I overslept."

"I couldn't find you in your room when I was about to serve your breakfast," Yong continued. "Luckily I found you before the others. The empress wouldn't be happy if she found out that you slept here last night."

"That wasn't my intention at all..." she muttered.

"We must leave quickly, Master, before someone finds us here." Yong said as she dragged Tigress hurriedly back into the palace by the wrist.

TLoTDaTT

Po and the four were ready to continue their delayed journey. Dao and Liu had given a boat to cross the Chojiang River.

Viper, Crane and Mantis were already onboard while Po and Monkey said their good byes to Dao and Liu.

"Po, take these with you," Liu said as he placed two large crates in front of them.

"Uh, are we going to need these?" Monkey asked, picking them up only to realise that they're both empty.

"Trust me you will. You can't just show yourself when you reach Darknest Land."

"So, how will this help us?"

"By hiding inside them," Liu instructed. "When the boat is approaching the dock, the five of you must hide inside until it's safe to alight."

"Got it." The panda and simian each picked up a crate and started towards the boat. "Thanks, guys."

"Oh, Po. Wait!" Dao stopped him.

Po turned around once more while Monkey carried on. "Did we forget something?"

"Actually, no." Dao stepped forward. "But I do have a request for when you arrive there."

"Sure. Just say it."

Dao took out a scroll from his pockets and unrolled it. It was a painting of Dao, Liu and two mountain cats.

"Nice drawing." Po commented. "So, what I can do for you with this picture"

"You see them?" Liu pointed at the mountain cats. "They're Hai and Lee, my brothers."

"Wow, on top of having a pig brother, you have two mountain cat brothers too?!"

"Yes. They were imprisoned by the tigers in Darknest Land. I hadn't heard from them for almost two weeks."

"Don't worry, Dao." Po assured him, knowing full well what Dao would ask of him. "I promise I'll save them."

Dao smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Po. I wish you all the best in finding your friend too."

"We should be the ones thanking you. You saved us."

"We did what we should've done. Anyway—"

"Po. Are you coming or not?" Crane called from the boat."We're wasting time."

"It seems like they're waiting for you." Dao said. "Go on, Po. Save your friend and my brothers."

"I will," said Po. "And I promise to get your family back to you." He gave them a last smile before heading to the boat. "I'll be back."

"Good luck."

Po and the four waved as their boat began sailing away from the Great Valley.

TLoTDaTT

They crept into the main hall, unaware of anything around them until...

"There you are, Dear."

Tigress and Yong froze. The empress and her two servants approached them from behind.

"Your Highness." Yong bowed. Tigress did the same.

"I've been looking everywhere for you." The empress told her worriedly. "You weren't in your room."

"Forgive me, Your Highness." Tigress apologized. "I was just taking a walk around the palace yard."

"I'm fine with it. It's my husband who needs you now."

"Did something happen?"

"Yes, Dear," She answered. "Two prisoners escaped last night. I'm afraid they're still hiding in the palace."

"What does the emperor want me to do?"

"I have no idea, but you should see him now."

"Alright, Your Highness. I will—"

"Hey," someone interrupted. "You're up, finally."

The empress looked over her shoulder. "Yuan Sheng?"

"Morning, mother," The prince greeted his mother and turned to look at Tigress. "Good morning to you too. So, how does it feel to sleep in the backyard?"

"You what?" The empress stared at Tigress wide eyed. "Tigress, dear, you slept outside the palace last night?"

"Uh, I—" Tigress was a little annoyed at Yuan Sheng for telling his mother about her night.

"Oh, Tigress. Do you know how dangerous it is?" The empress exclaimed. "The two prisoners who escaped could have found and attacked you while you were asleep."

"You're worrying too much, Mother," Yuan Sheng replied. "She can take care of herself. She's a warrior."

"I still don't like it." The empress turned back to Tigress. "Don't do that again."

"Yes, your highness." Tigress replied, glancing at the prince which stared back at her amusingly. "I won't."

TLoTDaTT

A knock was heard on the door of the ornately decorated audience hall.

"Come in."

Tigress slowly opened the door and entered.

"Your Majesty," She greeted. "You summoned me?"

The emperor, who was sitting in his throne nodded with a small smile. "Tigress, I'm glad you're here."

Tigress walked forward. "Is there something I can do for you, Your Majesty?"

"Yes, yes. Of course there is. That's why I called for you. Have you heard the latest news this morning?"

"I did, Your Majesty, and I must say we have to find these prisoners quickly before they have the chance to do anything to us."

"Exactly." The emperor stood up and started pacing. "They were the ones who tried to assassinate my wife two weeks ago. What worries me most is that they could still be around here, planning another attack." He stopped pacing and looked at her. "Tigress, it is my wish that you lead group of soldiers to search for the prisoners."

"Lead a mission? Your Majesty, I'm not sure if I can do this. I'm… not experienced enough."

The emperor chuckled. "Don't be modest. You're a warrior and were once part of the furious five. Of course you're experienced in hunting escaped prisoners."

"That's true, but—"

"Come on, Tigress." The emperor cut her off. "My general is patrolling the borders and to be honest, you're my only choice left."

Tigress pondered for a second. Perhaps the emperor really needed her help right now.

"As you wish, Your Majesty," she replied. "I assure you these prisoners will be back in their cells before sunset."

The emperor smirked. "Then I'll say good luck to you."

TLoTDaTT

The boat bumped against the dock gently, unnoticed by any of the tigers. They had arrived fairly unscathed, but they couldn't just appear immediately. Anyone that wasn't a tiger would naturally be perceived to be the enemy.

They were hiding in the crates which were currently placed on the deck. Po was together with Viper in one while Mantis, Crane and Monkey were in the other.

"So," Mantis whispered. "how're we gonna get out of here without being seen?"

"I don't know," Po replied. "Any ideas, anyone?"

"You don't know?!" Mantis sounded agitated. "We might be stuck here all day."

"Be quiet!" Po shushed. "Someone's coming."

Through a little hole in the crate, Po squinted his right eye to see a tiger approaching.

"What's this?" They heard the tiger mutter to himself.

He tried and failed to lift the crate where Po and Viper was in.

"Urgh... It's so heavy."

The tiger left and returned a minute later with three others.

"There could be valuables inside." One of them said.

"Quick, let's take them to a quiet spot before anyone finds out."

Together, they lifted up the crates and started moving.

The kung fu masters didn't know where they were headed, but they didn't dare make an appearance as they could still feel the crowds around them.

The bustle of city life slowly dwindled and after a moment of silence, they stopped.

"Alright. Put them down."

The crates were lowered.

"Come on. Let's open them," said the first tiger excitedly.

But before any one of them could open the crate-

"Kiyah!"

Po and his comrades jumped out from the crates and attacked. The tigers were no match for them and within seconds, were lying unconscious on the rough pebbled floor.

"Enough." Mantis stopped Po from punching one of the unconscious tiger's face. "They're out. We have to stay silent now."

The warriors took in their surroundings cautiously.

They were in a dark narrow alley that had a dead end. They were undetectable as long as they remained inside.

"Now," Monkey began. "how do we get to the palace?"

"The palace must be the biggest building in here," Po pondered. "should be easy to find."

"What I meant is, how are we going to get to the palace without being spotted by anyone." Monkey explained. "We're not tigers. They'll definitely be suspicious."

They remained silent for almost five minutes, each trying to think of a way out.

A grocer pushing his vegetable cart ambled pass the mouth of the alley.

Po grinned. "Stealth mode."

He ran after the seller and grabbed him by the neck, not giving him the chance to scream before knocking him out with a punch to the side of his face. He then dragged the grocer and his cart hastily back into the alley.

"Po. What are you doing?!" Crane was starting to panic.

"Look, here's the plan. I'm going to disguise myself as the grocer so I can explore this place."

"Then what about us?"

"Easy. Hide in the crate again. I'll take you guys along in the cart."

"Good idea." Viper piped.

Po dragged the grocer deep inside the alley and hid him among numerous piles of wooden boards and barrels. He then took off his robe and put it on himself, leaving the grocer clothed in the barest minimum.

Luckily the robe had sleeves long enough to cover the fur of the monochrome panda.

"Your face." Viper pointed with her tail.

Crane handed his straw hat to Po, who put it on and adjusted it. If he kept his head bowed, no one will be able to see his face.

"Perfect." Mantis commented as he walked in circles around Po, admiring the effects of the newest additions. "Now no one will know that you're a panda."

"Unless they realize that no one here has such a large belly like yours." Monkey added.

Crane, Viper, Monkey and Mantis then got into the same crate, allowing Po to place them on the cart.

"Let's move."

The panda pushed the cart out of the alley, taking his friends along for a ride as they mingled and joined the busy afternoon crowd.

Bowing his head to hide his face, he focused on his surroundings, attempting to appear nondescript as he slowly made his way down the streets.

The tigers around them had their attention on them, but it wasn't because of Po's large belly. It was because the grocer, whom they thought was a tiger as well, didn't have a tail.

"Po. You see the palace?" Monkey whispered from the crate.

Po raised his head slightly and spotted the largest biggest building sitting atop a hill in front of him.

"Yes," he whispered. "I do. We're getting close. Hang in there, Tigress."