As the sun was setting, Tigress could see the crests of the Southern Mountain range. Another half day of walking, and they would be there. Another half day of the blundering panda. She couldn't think of a single moment when the panda hadn't shut up. It was talk, talking, and talking. If Po would spend more concentration on training than he did talking, he would be one of the best master in China, she silently thought.
"We'll rest here for the night," The feline said as she opened her bag and began to rummage through it. "I thought I packed food," Tigress muttered as she searched the contents.
Po's face turned red underneath his white fur, "Oh um yeah, a-about that. You see, we were walking a lot and my stomach started growling at me and…."
"You ate the only food we brought?!" She shrieked, "Po, that was supposed to last us for three days!"
"I know but I was hungry!" He glanced at the tiger's furious face, "ahahaha i-isn't that funny?" An inflamed Tigress had made her way over to the blundering panda. He yelped and covered his precious face, "Please don't hurt me!"
She sent a death glare at him, fist raised to strike, "Pray for-"
A rustling in the trees interrupted her. The two froze, looking for any sign of danger. Everything went silent, the wind swirling through the forest was the only sound to be heard. Tigress scanned the area surrounding them, searching for any trace of the intruder. The panda, however, quickly scurried behind the boulder, trembling as he did. The tiger's brow furrowed, she didn't like this.
"Stand down and we will spare your life," She commanded. A deep chuckling answered her. The master's eyes widen as a large figure approached.
A cloak and hood blocked the imposing stranger's face. From him came a rusty, low voice, "Looks like someone needs to teach this kitten some manners."
Tigress emitted a sharp growl as she got into a fighting stance, "Who are you?"
"What, I don't look familiar to you?"
"ANSWER ME." Her tail twitched as she became impatient. Tigress was never one for games.
"Maybe this will help," The cloaked figure pulled back his hood, revealing a orange and black striped face. High cheek bones with emerald eyes adorned his face. From his left eyes down to his jawbone ran a long, jagged scar. Her eyes widen as she looked upon the stranger.
He sneered, "What's wrong, cat got your tongue?
The tigress gaped at him, still shocked at the sight of another tiger. "W-where do you come from?" She asked, hardly above a whisper.
"You should learn not to let your guard down." With that, he slammed a striped fist into the ground, releasing a gas bomb.
"W-wait!" She choked out, but that was all she could say before her world went dark.
Ju-Long quickly scooped up the female tiger, holding his breath so that he would not breathe the toxic fumes. The soldier quickly made his way into the forest, checking for any witnesses. Thankfully, there were none.
"WAIT!" A voice squeaked out.
The tiger rolled his eyes and laid down his prisoner. A panda quickly made his way over to him.
"Buddy, y-you are under arrest by the…." Po's voice trailed off as he tried to get a lungful of fresh air. He bent over, hand on knees. Everything was starting to fade away, and his head felt light.
Ju-Long stared at the black and white animal, confused. "Uh, are we going to fight? Or what?"
"H-hold on," the panda replied, "I just…need a minute…and there goes the feeling in my legs." Po fell, a loud THUD as he hit the ground.
The tiger simply stared at the passed out panda. Great, he thought, now I have to lug around this bag of blubber. It took several attempts to somehow carry the tigress AND panda. Finally, Ju-Long resorted to carrying the female tiger and dragging the fat panda by his foot. He could already tell that the trip back to his clan would be a long, strenuous one.
Po looked around at the strange yet deliciously wonderful world surrounding him. Stuffed figs lay in piles around him, floating dumplings scattered around the clear blue sky. The smell of ginger drifted up through the air, making his mouth curve into the usual goofy grin. In the middle of this food wonderland laid a giant cast iron pot, brewing the most intoxicating soup the panda had ever laid eyes on. It looked so….bodacious. He quickly scurried over to it and peered over the black bowl.
Inside the bowl was a blood like substance, a foreign pepper dotting the liquid here and there. Po's eyes widen as he recognized the familiar smell of pain.
"No…i-it can't be." He whispered, "I thought I defeated you!"
Slowly, the peppers in the soup formed two piercing eyes and a menacing face, "Yes, PO. It is I."
The panda shrieked and quickly took a step back, "H-how are you still alive?"
The peppers chuckled deeply, "Silly panda, don't you know that you can never escape the watchful gaze of the Death Soup?"
Po quickly ran for cover behind a pile of figs, but it was to no avail. The brewing pot followed him wherever he went; it crept up to him like a devilish dog, waiting to devour its prey. How could food be so evil?!
"Please!" He cried out, throwing himself on two knees, "Have mercy on my soul!"
"Fight me, stupid panda. Stop wallowing in your filth and FACE MY WRATH."
Po swallowed, knowing that the end had come, and he gave in to the terrible beast.
Ju-Long drug the blubbery panda through the forest, the tigress slung over his shoulder. Groans of pain emitted from the black and white animal, something about an evil pepper, but he ignored it. At one point the panda reached out and grabbed hold of the tiger's tail, proceeding to munch on it furiously. Ju-Long rolled his eyes and gave a hard kick to his head, causing the fat surrounding it to jiggle a little. The things I have to put up with for my leader, he silently thought.