A/N: Yay! The chapter where the plot officially begins! Sorry that it's a short chapter. But I hope you all enjoy it! :)

Disclaimer: If I owned KFP, this would be a real movie.

Scene III

The Mission Begins

"So what does the message say?" Po asked after he and the Furious Five arrived in the Hall of Warriors.

"Someone is challenging you for the title of Dragon Warrior." Shifu answered.

Everyone looked at Po as he simply blinked. "Is…is that allowed?"

Shifu nodded. "Yes, it is. As long as the opponent knows martial arts basics, anyone can challenge you. And I have no doubt that she knows more than just basics."

"Wait, she?" Po asked. "Who's challenging me?"

"Tai Wei," Shifu said, hoping for a reaction, so he would not have to explain. When he got none, for her name was unrecognizable, he sighed. "Tai Lung's daughter."

Audible gasps were heard from the six young warriors.

"I didn't even know Tai Lung had a kid!" Mantis exclaimed.

Shifu shook his head as he looked down at his staff. "I have a feeling that not even he knew."

"Wait, so let me get this straight," Po said, holding up his hand, then putting it to his temple as he thought aloud. "This Tai Wei is Tai Lung's daughter and wants to be the Dragon Warrior, just like he did?"

"Apparently." Crane commented.

"So what's the plan, Master?" Tigress asked. There was silence on his part, and the young masters waited patiently for his response.

He looked up. "We go, and Po fights."

"What?" Po asked, slightly taken aback. "I mean…can I defeat her?"

Viper smiled. "Po, you've defeated Tai Lung and Lord Shen."

"Yeah," Monkey said, nudging the panda. "Don't be so modest."

"Besides, there is something bigger," Shifu said. But then he turned his back on his students, looking down at his staff with an expression of both pain and hope. "Perhaps we can bring her back."

"What do you mean?" Po asked.

"If she is anything like Tai Lung was, then we can bring her to good," Shifu said. He looked so hopeful. He turned back to the masters quickly with determination. "Po, we will leave in an hour."

"Kay, just lemme' go pack and – " Po said, turning to leave before he suddenly understood Shifu's words. "Wait, just you and me?"

"The more on the journey, the slower we travel." Shifu replied as he started walking towards the door. The other masters followed behind him. A moment later, Shifu turned around and eyed all of them down as he thought.

Finally, his eyes rested on Tigress, and he began to stroke his chin. "Tigress, you will come along, too. You could play a very important part in this."

She bowed. "Yes, master."

"And the rest of us?" asked Crane.

Shifu turned around again. "You four of you will be in charge of the Jade Palace while I am away."

Mantis and Monkey instantly gave one another a look that read, this…is going to be awesome.

"Do you think you can handle it?"

Mantis chuckled as he gave another look to Monkey. "Oh, yeah. We can handle it."

Viper rolled her eyes. "Hmm, why do I doubt that?"

Mantis and Monkey gave her a light-hearted glare, then bowed to Master Shifu – then ran out of the Jade Palace like little children as they spoke loudly about their plans as head masters of the Jade Palace. Crane followed soon after, and Viper turned to leave when Shifu leaned over and said quietly with a smirk, "Keep an eye on them."

Viper smirked. "Yes, Master."

The only ones remaining now were Shifu, Po, and Tigress. Shifu turned to the two and said, "Go and pack. We leave in one hour."

Shifu looked down at his staff, clutching it in his hands. He then turned around to Po and Tigress, pulling out a map, to which he set on the ground. He pointed to the left. "Here is where we are now – and here is where we're heading to."

He pointed to the section of the map, labeled The Outstretched Forest. But in the middle of the sketches of the tops of trees was a blank section. "This is the Vast Clearing in the middle of the Outstretched Forest, where you and Tai Wei will have you battle."

Po leaned over the map and muttered, "Epic names."

Shifu ignored him and continued on. "If we hurry our pace, it should be a three day journey."

"Then what are we waiting for?" Po exclaimed, standing up straight as he put a backpack on his back. "Let's get started!"

Shifu rolled up the map, putting it in his cloak as he gave a nod to the panda. "Let's go."

The three ran down the stairs, and their mission began.