A/N: What's up crazy people? Apologies for any spelling….I wrote this reeeaaalllyyy late at night. Enjoy!
"Man. That's the third time this week." Po groaned and let his arms fall, defeated, at his sides.
The five were enjoying the autumn air to the extreme, spending most of their warm, sunny day outside. Morning training had been held in the courtyard, and now they sat doing various activities behind the Hall of Heroes, in the garden.
Viper was tending to the weeds in a nearby bush, while Crane painted on a canvas in the shade. Po and Monkey had just finished a very (not so) intense game of Mahjong, where Po had lost, again. Mantis was leaning against the back of Po's chair, facing the courtyard. Tigress sat on the stairs to a small gazebo, reading scrolls.
"You should know by now not to play him." Tigress replied, eyes fixed on her scroll. She looked over and gave him a sly smile. "He always beats you and you always complain."
"No I don't!" He exclaimed. He looked between Monkey's victorious smile and Tigress' sly one rapidly, and then groaned.
Monkey shook his head and began reseting the game. Several moments passed in a nice silence, until it was broken by Shifu's voice.
"So I see Po has developed a new training regiment for you all.." The five jerked their heads towards the small master in confusion. "Lounging around in the sun." He said it with a small smile, and the others relaxed.
"The weather has been so hot this year." Viper muttered from her spot. "My flowers have not been growing like they should." She frowned, and he chuckled at the stick that was caught in her short black hair.
"Plus, we have been training like crazy." Po said, eyes fixed on his game. "It's nice to relax and have fun for a while." Shifu nodded his understanding.
"Was there something you needed, Master?" Asked mantis, looking around towards the small man.
"Yes, actually. Tigress, come speak with me for a moment." She turned towards him, confused, but she set her scrolls to the side and stood to follow him. Once they exited back through the gazebo, he led her back to the palace.
Once they entered the Hall of Heroes, he handed her a small scroll. "This arrived for you."
She took it from him, frowning at it. Of course, she recognized the yellowish paper and fine handwriting. She had received letters like this before.
She opened it and read it through once, then lowered it in confusion.
"What does it say?" he asked, folding his hands behind his back. It was as if he knew the answer, but wanted her to confirm it.
"Tigress,
You have been my closest friend and one true confidant for almost ten years now. I have told you secrets that I have yet to even divulge to my father or my brother. It is because of this trust I have in you that I write to you now.
A few days ago, my brother disappeared from a small town several miles from the Mongolian border. My father has been in hysterics ever since, and now has told me in quiet confidence that he plans to wage war on the Mongolians to get him back. He is deranged.
I know he has written your master a letter, asking for his help training Imperial troops, and that is why I need your help. I have a sneaking suspicion that my brother was not kidnapped. I would hate for my father to declare war on a country without full proof that he was taken. Please consider joining me at the Imperial palace. I will be able to tell you more when you arrive. Safe travels.
Yours,
Liang"
Tigress glanced to her master, unsure of what to say.
"You and Liang have been friends for many years. Are you certain that is him writing?"
Her eyebrows furrowed. "Yes. I am sure."
"I did recieve that letter that he mentions, with instructions to be in the Imperial city before the week is up. When I saw that Liang had written you at the same time, I guessed that something was not right." He frowned, glancing down at the floor. One of his hands stroked his beard.
"What will you do?" She asked softly.
"We will be going to the Imperial city." Her eyes widened. "How will I be able to train hundreds of Imperial troops without my strongest students?" She smiled slightly, finally understanding. Her hands folded behind her back, scroll still clutched tightly. She waited for him to go on. "You and Po will come with me to visit his Majesty. Po can help me train the troops while you and Liang figure out what is going on."
"And the others?"
"Crane, Monkey, and Mantis will remain here and protect the Valley. I am sending Viper to Xiongxang, the town where the Emperor's son was supposedly abducted from. She can blend in well there." Tiress nodded her understanding at his words. "Go and pack your things. We will need to leave in the mornng if we are to make it there in time. I will tell the others."
She nodded and left the room.