Chapter 8: Years Later

Hey everyone I'm back but only because of Lady Shadow92 and all her support. School has been awful but I hope that everyone will enjoy/review this chapter. Feel free to add any constructive I don't get a review that there's a problem I won't change a thing.

(Tigress 18)

(Rees 18)

A hog bandit ran through the Valley of Peace, holding a stolen bag of gold. He fled from the scene at top speed. Villagers screamed for help, they were not strong enough or fast enough to catch him. He grinned as he rounded a corner; he looked down at his prize.

"I can see that today is my lucky day" he chuckled. He laughed as he made his way for the gate but he stopped when he saw a stranger in a robe standing in front of the gate.

"Hey who are you? Get out of my way!" he commanded. But the figure didn't move it just stood there in a fighting stance just waiting to strike.

"Fine you don't want to move I'll make you move!" the hog squealed as he charged with his sword. The figure grabbed the sword as it sliced through the air the bandit gasped in horror as his sword was in between two strong paws and with a quick jerk the sword shattered into pieces. The bandit was frozen, a swift kick from the figure knocked the bandit out and when she was done tying him up and taking him to jail Tigress took off her robe and smiled.

"Another one bites the dust" she said happily. She had recently become a master only a month ago but she was impressed to see that all those years of training finally paid off. She had been living at the Jade Palace for 5 years now and she couldn't believe how fast the time went. At first she was awkward and clumsy even the simplest forms were a challenge for her but with her father their by her side, to pick her up, she was always determined to make him proud. As Tigress began her trek up the thousand steps she thought back on all the great moments leading up to now.

(Flashback 3 years ago)

Whack! Snap! "Come on Tigress you can do it." Shifu encouraged as he swung a Bamboo staff at Tigress. Tigress tried to block or dodge all the strikes but they were sometimes too fast for her and they would hit her arms, chest, and face.

"Shifu it's too hard I can't keep this up" Tigress said just barely dodging a swipe to the head.

"You can't do if you say you can't do it, but I know you can. Say it" Shifu said.

"I can do this" Tigress said as she blocked a shot.

"I can't hear you" Shifu said a little louder.

"I can do this." Tigress said louder she was starting to get made.

"I know you can't do it!" Shifu insulted.

" I can do it!" Tigress roared as she focused her strength into a single punch her strike broke the staff.

"Good work Tigress I knew you could do it" Shifu said with a grin. Tigress bowed.

"Thanks Baba I couldn't have done it without you" Tigress said as she hugged Shifu. By now Shifu was use to the hugs and was always happy to return them.

(Flashback over)

Tigress opened the doors to the palace; Shifu was standing next to the door with an upset expression.

"What is it Baba is something wrong?" Tigress asked concerned.

Shifu looked at her and said "Yes, Tigress something is wrong I just received a message from an anonymous source that my old rival Master Junji is planning an attack against the Valley. He has an army and he won't stop until I'm dead." Shifu said sadly. Tigress eyes grew wide she couldn't believe that someone would really want to kill her father but her surprise quickly turned to anger as she growled.

"I promise you father no matter how many I have to fight or how many I have to kill I will protect you like you have always protected me" Tigress vowed. Shifu gave a small grin at his daughter's determination. When he looked at her he no longer saw the small scared little girl he took in all those years ago but now she was a strong confident woman.

"Very well the attack will come in 3 days and I have already sent word to the valley all the villagers are evacuating. I also sent a message out to the Furious Four for assistance but I doubt they will come in time. But just in case I sent word to the emperor to send as many rhino guards as he can. They should be here in 18 hours." Shifu explained.

"Then we'll be ready for them. But master who do you think sent the warning?" Tigress asked.

"I have no idea Tigress, but I think that it's thanks to whoever sent this letter that we might actually have a fighting chance." Shifu said.

"You did the right thing sir" one of the soldiers complimented.

"I still believe we could have done more" the other said.

"We will do more but right now we need to leave. Junji will look for us soon but if we leave now we might be able to help make up for my mistake." the leader said solemnly.

The three leopards fled to the Valley hoping to get there before Junji's main force.

"After all those years of planning I will finally take my rightful place in history" Junji said menacingly. Tonight is the night of Rees's final test after this night his transformation will be complete.". Junji chuckled.

Junji, Rees, and the slave master stood in their training hall. Rees was tied up and rigid.

"Rees how are you feeling?" Junji asked.

"Sore…..Master." Rees said plainly. Rees was put through many more years of torture everything from waterboarding to burning patches of his skin off with a torch. His eyes were glassy, his fur was matted, and his heart was empty. Rees was gone.

"Finally now that I have your complete obedience it is time for your final test when you pass it you will become more than just my student you will become my apprentice. "Slave driver release him" Junji sneered. The bear released Rees he stood at attention and waited for his next command.

"Your last test is to kill the slave driver. He oppressed you, for many years, now here is your chance to get revenge". Junji commanded.

"Wait what?! But sir…." the bear exclaimed. A sliver glint flashed in Rees's eyes.

"With pleasure." he said as he unsheathed his claws and roared. He pounced on the bear with all his might pinning him to the ground. He sliced his claws across the back of the bear's thick neck the cut was deep and bleeding profusely. The bear tried to cover the wound but suddenly he was flipped over and Rees pierced the bear's right arm with his fangs. The bear screamed in agony.

"Now how does it feel to scream in torment? You deserve to die more than anyone else I know." Rees chuckled as he sliced and diced the bear into pieces. His death was not quick.

"Please have mercy! Just kill me already!" the slave driver screamed.

"Alright" Rees said. He lifted the bear up went to the weapons rack pulled out a sword and chopped the bear's head off. A flowing stream of blood pooled at Junji's feet.

"Well done my boy now clean yourself up and be ready in the morning for tomorrow we finally put an end to an era." Junji grinned as he laughed out of the room. Rees went to his quarters and washed the slave driver's blood out of his fur. When he got back to his room he was tired. He should have been happy after finally getting his revenge but somehow his mind was elsewhere. Why don't I feel better I finally got my revenge on the person responsible for my scars and years of suffering but I don't feel any better what's wrong with me? Rees thought to himself.

"All I ever wanted in my life was to be with Tigress but now she's dead and I'll never see her again". Rees said as it dawned on him that he never really thought of Tigress that much when he was "training". But the times he did remember, she gave him a sense of peace almost like all the sadness and anger in his soul left for a single moment.

"Tigress….I miss you so much…...I only wish that I could have told you how I felt about you when you were alive" Rees sobbed as he cried for the first time in years.

The morning came and he was called to Junjie. "Ah Rees, you have done well. Now for your first mission, you are to assassinate a kung fu master called Shifu. He wronged me years ago, and he hides in the Jade Palace in the Valley of Peace. Your mission is to kill him and bring me his head. Without Shifu, my army can take over and I shall rule," Junjie cackled.

Rees stopped listening for a moment. The Valley of Peace, he hadn't been there in years. The memories of the orphanage and the happy times with Tigress stung his heart.

"Are you listening?" Junjie demanded.

"Yes, Sir I shall go and slay this Shifu for you," Rees said bowing. He was given new clothes to wear. They were black pants a black and red vest and finally a mask to hide his identity (Like anyone could recognize him anyway), his sword at his side as he headed towards the Valley.

Back at the Jade Palace,Tigress tossed and turned in her sleep. Worry filled her heart as the thought of someone killing her father. Tigress loved Shifu; he was the second person to love her and care for her. The first was Rees and there memories together wounded her and filled her heart with sorrow . She wondered whatever happened to him, but feared maybe he truly was gone. Just then, her eyes opened and her ears detected something. She growled as she got out of bed to find the intruder and see what they were after.

Shifu still troubled sat by the Pool of Sacred Tears, meditating. He prayed the Furious Four would come along with the Rhino Guards. Still he would not hold his breath. It was during times, like these he wished Master Oogway was still here. Shifu didn't doubt in Tigress's abilities, but feared that she could not handle such a threat. The wind gently blew around him, as he found Inner Peace. Unbeknown to him, a lone figure stood above him. His eyes glaring as his sword was being pulled from his sheath.

"You must be Shifu, don't seem how you could be a threat," Rees said. He slowly climbed down and prepared to attack Shifu. Yet, before he could a roar was heard. Rees felt instant pain as another fighter pounced on him. "I can't fail," Rees yelled. With his back legs, he kicked the attacker off. Rees leaped to his feet and raised his

sword, ready to fight. Yet, once his eyes laid on the attacker, his heart stopped. "Tigress," he said in shock.

"That's right Master Tigress of the Jade Palace and I don't care who you are but you will not kill my father" Tigress roared as she struck him with a palm strike, sending him across the hall.

"Tigress it's so good to see you again" Rees groaned as he stood up.

"What are you talking about creepo? I don't even know you." Tigress growled as she lunged at grabbed him by the cuff of his collar and reeled back a devastating punch.

"Wait Tigress!" Rees exclaimed. Tigress stopped.

"Tigress if I didn't know you then how would I know that you lived at the Bao Gu Orphanage and you were always picked on by bullies." Rees explained desperately.

Wait how would this assassin know that about me unless… Tigres thought as she ripped the mask of the stranger's head. She was shocked to see a older and scarred Rees nearly on the verge of tears.

"Rees, is that you?" Tigress asked in disbelief. She couldn't believe it Rees, was here in the flesh. Part of her was overjoyed that he was alive. Yet, she was angry that he tried to kill Shifu.

"He lied to me, that son of a bitch said you were dead," Rees said as he stood up and dusted himself off. His paws were shaking as his sword was dropped. Tears fell from his face, as his body sank to the ground.

"Rees, what are you talking about?" Tigress asked taking a few steps toward her old friend.

"Junjie, kidnapped me, said you were dead. The rest of my life, I was tortured to be his student. This was my first mission, to kill Shifu and bring Junjie his head," Rees sobbed. Tigress's eyes widened with fear as Shifu walked up beside her. Shifu looked down at Rees and could not believe Junjie, had stooped so low. Rees looked at Tigress, his heart filled with pain. "Tigress, I am so sorry," he cried. Tigress did the only thing she could do, grabbed Rees in a bear hug and held him tight. His arms wrapped around her and Shifu knew they had a lot to discuss.

The three leopards soldiers had just made it to the valley.

"Sir why are we sleeping in the woods? Why not sleep in a hotel or better yet sleep at the Jade Palace if we told Shifu it was us who set the message he might give us some freaking beds." one soldier whined.

"Because we are here to fight the first waves of Junji's army. I came up a plan." the leader pulled a scroll out of his bag. On the scroll was a map of the valley but it was divided by three red lines.

"If we get overrunned at line Alpha we will retreat to line Bravo next to this noodle shop. If Bravo is overrunned than we will retreat to line Charlie which is at the base of the stairs are last resort will be the palace itself. I stole weapons from Junji's armory that might give us the edge. We have mines,swords,spears and all the shurikens I could grab." the leader explained to his comrades.

"Sounds like fun." they other soldiers replied.

"Good, now get some shut eye. Junji should be here soon." the leader commanded.

Hope you all enjoyed that. I am even wondering how this story will end and I am the author. Review and have a great day from me. Newguy100.