Disclaimer : I do not own Kung Fu Panda

Chapter 42 : Bad Guys

Shifu couldn't hide his anxiety as he was standing there by the edge of a cliff. His eyes kept watching at the late afternoon sky, waiting something to come. Extra wrinkles caused by stress and dark circle under his eyes were a reflection of what's inside his mind. Few villagers in the Musicians' Village doing their daily activities seemed to ignore The Grand Master there. Not because they didn't care, but it was Shifu who asked them to leave him alone. A bowl of noodle was next to his feet. Mr. Ping had left it there for the master's lunch but Shifu hadn't even touched his food at all.

'Have The Masters of Gongmen City received his letter yet?' he wondered. 'Or ... Did they refuse to send him reinforcement?'

"Master Shifu?" his student's voice addressed him from behind his back. It was Monkey's voice, approaching him with his friends.

"I told you to leave me alone," he responded sternly without looking back at them.

"We're not going to disturb you," Po said. "We just want to keep you company. Beside, I'm bored staying in my room."

Shifu let his five students sit near him.

Few hours passed.

Mantis yawned. Monkey rubbed his eyes. Crane and Viper set a bored expression. Po was seen sitting on the ground as he was idly straching a twig on the ground while Shifu remained silent in his position, not even moved an inch. As they started to think that the messenger they dispatched wouldn't retun anytime soon, Shifu spotted something flying in the sky. He squinted for a better view. That must be the goose he sent to Gongmen City. The goose swooped down and landed safely before Shifu with a scroll clutched in his feet.

"This is response letter from Gongmen City, Master Shifu," the goose reported as he handed the scroll. "Sorry to have kept you waiting for so long. I don't get used to traveling far."

"It's okay, Mr. Wan. Thank you for volunteering to help me while my messenger, Zeng, is taken hostage in Jade Palce."

"Never mind. I'm happy to help you. Now, if you excuse me," the goose bowed and then left.

Shifu unrolled the scroll. His five students surrounded him and peered into the parchment. Shifu's eyes examined word by word written on it.

"This is a good news!" He exclaimed, face glowing brightly. "The masters will have been arriving before midnight." he turned and walked, eyes still laying on the letter. His students followed him. "We're going to map out strategy for an ambush tonight."

Po and the four exchanged glance, discussing with sign language while occasionally gesturing to Shifu.

Finally, Monkey spoke up. He cleared his throat. "Uhm ... Master?"

"Yes?"

"What about Tigress?" he asked carefully. "Are we going to ...well, attack her too?"

For a moment, Shifu's expression was a mix of a realization and a quandary. "If there's no other choice, yes." He stuttered without slowing down the pace.

"You're not thinking of ..."

"Of what?"

"Mmm ..." Monkey stalled.

"Of killing her, right?" Crane finished for Monkey.

"Believe me, eventhough she had tried to kill me and Po, killing Tigress never crosses my mind. At all." The red panda answered firmly.

Po was a bit relieved as he heard that. From what Shifu had said in the dungeon, he thought Shifu asked him to accept the fact that Tigress had changed; that she had been walking too far down in the dark path and must be stopped by a way of a fight.

But Po noticed something Shifu possibly couldn't see from Tigress. Behind that anger and hatred, he caught a glimpse of a different feeling in her eyes. Perhaps, that time, Tigress herself were already prepared to die by his arms. No matter what Tigress had done to him, Po would never give up to bring her back to him, to his comrades, and to Shifu at any cost.

He strechted out his body. A pain in his belly caused by Tigress' claws started to attack him again. He put his paw on his fat belly which was still covered in bandage. Po smiled bitterly. He would never hate Tigress. His friend was just lost and needing his help. Someone must has been controlling her and turning her into what she is now.

While still musings with his thoughts, a villager cried from afar.

"Help!"

Warning bell was rung repeatedly. They were all alerted. The villagers shut their doors and windows hurriedly. Some climbed into a giant bell to hide.

"There's tigers! Help!"

Tigers? It can't be! How did they find their hideout this soon?

At the main gate, a tiger dressed in silk robe stood in discomfort. Shifu moved like lightning. He leaped and lunged at the tiger. Not prepared by the sudden attack, the feline was thrown backward and crashed to the side gate. He fell with face facing the ground. Shifu jumped and pinned him, resting all his weight on one leg and put it onto the intruder's back.

"Ouch! That hurt!" the tiger moaned, wincing in pain. "Why did you attack me, You Old Man!"

Shifu eyes went wide. He recognized that voice. And that face. He's ...

"Master Shifu, you got them?" His students approached. Their expressions were not different to Shifu's as they also knew that tiger.

"You're ...the prince!" Viper cried.

Shifu released his leg from Yuan Sheng's back. The warriors watched the injured prince struggle to get to his feet staggerly as he bore the pain in his body. Didn't he already escape last night? Then why is he here? He came alone without taking any soldier. Why did he came all the way here to return to his kidnappers? What's going on here?

Yuan Sheng rested his body on the gate. Bad luck had been following him since the day before. Whomever he met always hurted him. He had been attacked, beaten up, almost got killed, disowned by his father then got attacked again. What's next?

Facing with a seemingly defenseless tiger wouldn't make the warriors let their guard down. Staying alert, Shifu set his stances in case there was an ambush.

"Stop!" A hoarse yet firm voice belonged to an old woman was heard. An older tiger appeared from behind Yuan Sheng, hobbling approaching the prince.

Shifu observed the old tigress' face. A face that showed no bad intention. Due to her humpback, her height was only few centimeters higher than Shifu's. "Who are you?!" he demanded.

Fang Zi examined Yuan Sheng for a moment. After making sure that there was no serious wound, she turned to Shifu. "You are Tigress' teacher, correct?" she asked back.

"Yes."

"Well, we got an important news for you." The tigress nudged Yuan Sheng, motioning him to talk.

Yuan Sheng stared at the warriors one by one, which stared at him back suspiciously, with his sullen face. His pride overcame him for a moment, but soon he tried to ignore it as he knew he was needing their help. Pushing aside his annoyance since he hadn't gotten an apologise from them, he spoke up filled with a rough tone. "Let's get to the point! " He stated. "Emperor Tiger is planning to kill Tigress and you must save her!"

A dead silence met his words.

Mantis squinted his eyes skeptically. "Should we believe him? Or ... is it a trap?"

"Whoa ... hold on, buddy," Po stepped forward. "What is it? First, you intended to behead us. Then, you accused us for murdering your mother. We kidnapped you, then you escaped. And now, you searched us only to tell that your father is going to kill Tigress and you ask us to save her?"

"He must be lying." Monkey mumbled.

"He has no reason to lie," Fang Zi retorted. "The Emperor has banished and disowned him. This poor guy is now trying to stop his father's scheme."

"I see," Crane muttered, shaking his head. "He wants revenge against his father."

Viper gasped. "So it's true? And Tigress is in danger."

"Tigress is very strong," Mantis chimed in. "maybe it's your father who will get killed by her instead."

"Unless she knows the emperor's hidden plan," Yuan Sheng replied, as much as possible not to use the word 'father' to refer the emperor. "He and General are intending to kill Tigress once they rule the whole China. But I'm afraid they could kill her anytime," he trailed off, then went on with a very quiet voice. "Save her, please ..." His eyes met Po's. "Dragon Warrior."

Po looked stunned for a second. Did this prince just say 'please'? Really? He apparently was telling the truth. "But ...why did you tell us?" he asked. "I mean ... I thought you thought us the murderers."

"I have discovered the truth, Dragon Warrior. The truth about the death of my mother." Yuan Sheng breathed deeply, shoulder lowered for shame. "Believe me. I may have been acting bad and mean. I also have lied to you about Tigress back in Darknest Land. But for this time ..." his voice getting lower, almost unable to hear. "I won't forgive myself if something bad happen to her. She's ...the only last person I ever care about. As her friend, you must know what I am feeling, right?"

Po nodded with a look of determination. That must be not easy for an arrogant prince to beg. It had been decided, there was no lie detected within his voice.

"You better tell us more about this in our inn," Shifu suggested.

.

~TLoTDaTT~

.

Tigress knelt down on one knee. Her head bowed respectfully. Before her, stood the emperor and the general. Only three of them in the Sacred Hall of Warriors.

"Are you fully aware of what you were just saying, Tigress?" The emperor asked calmly. "Haven't I told you; once you join in my army, there's no coming back."

"I am really very sorry, Your Majesty, but I am," she replied. "I quit." Her voice was firm, indicating its seriousness.

The emperor chuckled. "Why would you want to quit so suddenly when China is almost ours? May I know why?"

For few seconds, Tigress pondered the question. Then, "I've avenged the death of the empress and fulfilled my destiny. The Dragon Warrior has died," here, she stuttered as an image of Po came to her head again. "There's no more left to stop us to take over China. You can continue this subjection without me."

"You know that your destiny is not only to kill Dragon Warrior, but also to be the leader of tigers in Darknest Land, don't you?" The emperor was pretending to coax Tigress to stay. "When I'm no longer here, maybe you can be the next ruler. Yuan Sheng is incapable of ruling an empire."

"Sorry for my impudende, Your Majesty, but I refuse. I'm not interested in ruling China."

The emperor took few step foward, closer to Tigress. He bent down and put a paw on her shoulder. "Now stand up and look me in the eye." He said gently. Tigress did what she was told. "Now tell me; what's bothering you?"

Tigress looked uncertain. Is it wise to tell the truth to the emperor?

"Don't be afraid, Tigress," the emperor continued, trying to sound casual. "Be honest. I am your family. There's no need to hide anything from me. I will do as much as I can to help you."

Tigress admitted, the way the emperor talked had almost melted her heart. She sighed. "I thought ... as I demolished The Great Valley and killed the Dragon Warrior, my heart would find a peace and be filled with satisfaction," she trailed off, then proceeded. "But I was wrong. Somehow, I'm getting feeling restless and the image of the dragon warrior keeps haunting me."

"I see," the emperor's voice was deep. "You feel guilty. Your heroism seems to still remain in your heart. But it's alright. You look like needing a rest. Tigress, I give you my permission to return to my palace in Darkest Land."

To Darknest Land? Indeed, she had been planning to get back to there. But, to the palace? There's a memory of her and the empress and it might caused her to get sadder.

"With all due respect, Your Majesty," Tigress bowed. "I'm very grateful of your kindness but for now, I want to let go of my old life. I've known who I am and I've fulfilled my destiny. I want to turn over a new leaf by living in your land as a mere commoner."

The emperor raised an eyebrow. "That's surprising! You step down from your position, refuse to live in my palace and decide to live as a commoner? But it's your choice and I appreciate your decision."

Tigress beamed. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"When will you leave?"

"Tonight. I'll pack up my things."

"Very well, then." Emperor Tiger nodded, smilling. "I guess this will be the last time I see your here. Good bye, Tigress. And take care."

Tigress gave him a last smile. Without even glancing at General Luo, she turned and marched out of that room with a feeling of happiness in every step she took. She didn't care anymore with the war. General Luo might have her job if he wanted. As she reached the door, she could feel the chain of responsibility had been loosened. The air of freedome welcoming her. She had completed her major missions. From now on, she was not a warrior. Not even the part of the emperor army either. She would forget about Khan and herself being his incarnation. She was what she wanted to be. Kung Fu was the only thing she would still embrace for the rest of her life. She would change her name for a start. And then maybe she could start a kung fu school to make a living. There's plenty of better chances out there waiting for her rather than getting stuck in the rage of war and being a murderer haunted by guilt.

Emperor Tiger grinned. "Luo," he called after Tigress was gone.

"Yes, Your Majesty?" the general behind him tilted his head.

"This is your chance. I leave the rest to you now," he gave a pat on the general's shoulder. "Kill her."

Luo gripped the sword hanging on his belt with a smile of satisfaction. "Indeed."