Chapter 5

The Slaughter

All Tigress could think of was Tai Lung now, how he killed his own master. How he drown his own master with bare hands, watching the whole thing from the beginning to end. His master loved him and trained him in the best way he could, he adopted him, and would give up his life for him. But now its all gone to waste. Not only has he killed his master, but Tigress' and all the others master. He was a friend to them, and he cared for them just as much as they cared for him. Tigress' life flashed before her eyes. The friendship, isolation, training... it almost seemed that she didn't have a life, just one of kung fu. That was it. And now it's going to be put away for the rest of eternity because of one soul's choice.

Tigress, along with the others were tied up to separatetrees by their hands and feet. They all knew they were about to be killed brutally, but how? Tigress looked over at Po, who was still in the hands of Sky. The blood on his neck that seeped out when Sky held the sword to him too closely, was already dried up. Poor Po, he's always judged, he's always picked on... Tigress started to feel much pity for the panda. Tai Lung and Sky were mumbling to each other, while Po just stood there, sword at neck, looking around for one last glance of life before he gets killed by the soon to be dragon warrior. But no... this can't be.... Tigress thought, panic started to set in, her eyes got wide, as she clenched her fists and started to pull at the rope she was tied to. It was so tight... she grunted, giving up on all hope, and losing her strength in disgrace. She looked back at the handsome wolf. He was now yelling at Tai Lung, but she still couldn't hear a word what they were saying. Suddenly Tai Lung settled down, and nodded. Sky smiled, took the sword off of Po, and gave him to Tai Lung, who angrilytook him.

Sky then walked over to Tigress, as he smiled at her. "Would you like to be first?" He asked patiently.

Tigress tightened her lips and squinted softly, yet fumingly at the wolf, not answering his question for a good reason.

"Answer me." He started to get impatient.

Tigress looked at the others, who were pleading for her to say no. She then bravely stared at Sky. "Yes."

"Good." He laughed. Then grinned maturely. "Let me untie you." Instead of going around the tree to cut the ropes, he just reached around her with both arms to cut them. Awkwardly enough, it seemed like he was hugging her. He smiled, as he nuzzled his head into her neck, searching for the rope. Tigress' head was up, she was somewhat hissing. This made TaiLung twitch for a second. His hand moved and twiddled around a knife in which Sky gave him. Tai Lung was holding Po with his free hand, by the collar. Sky got finished with the hands, and he went to the feet. He slowly knelt over, so that his head was lower than her stomach. This made her very uncomfortable.

Tai Lung was gripping the knife hard now, as the wolf performed the cutting of the second rope. He took his time. Furious, Tai Lung let go of the panda, and swiftly walked over to the ones who were tied up, soon cutting all their ropes so that they were free. Sky didn't notice; his face was still nuzzled in Tigress' privates. The snow leopard then quickly backed up, and ran towards sky, kicking him in the stomach powerfully, making him fly 4 feet high, and hit the ground with a loud thump. Tigress looked shocked. Tai Lung planted his left foot on Sky's chest, since he was a lefty, and held the knife at Sky's face. "You said you wouldn't do such a thing!" He scowled.

Sky laughed. "You can never trust a wolf." The Furious 5 were circled around them, not knowing which one was to be trusted. Po was at the hot springs looking for Master Shifu, who got drowned by Tai Lung, ordered by Sky. He didn't know whose fault it was, so he started to think that it was his fault. All the time spent with his new master... it wasn't enough. He was just starting to get to know his master... and now he's... gone. He softly mourned.

Sky looked around to the others, while Tai Lung stared right into his eyes for many seconds. Tai Lung finally spoke. "You're out-numbered." He then quickly smiled. The 5 thought, then realized he was on their side.

Wolf was breathing hard. "I'm not gonna give up now-" He flexed his abs, and lifted Tai lung up with his hands, flinging him into the air, and kicking him hard into the tree Tigress was tied to. The snow leopard automatically got up, and started to charge for wolf. Tigress was the first to think. She quickly dashed over to Sky and almost crushed his legs as she kicked, but no, he jumped high into the air, and pounded Tai Lung to the ground, making a crater in it. Tigress stood there, stunned at his reflexes. She looked around, finding that the other 5 were gone, but where? It really mattered if they were here, for this would be the last major battle they would face, especially with Tai Lung with them.

Sky withdrew his sword quickly and with one swipe, Tigress could hear a sssltt! She gasped loudly, while rushing over to Tai Lung, whom she thought got killed. But she was wrong, for Sky missed the leopard's neck, and slit into the soil. Tai Lung dodged each of the blades that were cast at him. Finally, Tigress came in, and kicked the wolf hard in the back, causing him to stagger over Tai Lung. He seemed pretty strong, considering he was supposed to fly far from her. While open, Tai Lung took the chance to punch the wolf in the stomach, as he went flying past Tigress and into another tree.

Tai Lung quickly glanced at Tigress, as their eyes locked. He winked, then stormed after Sky. Tigress stood there for a second. He winked at me? She thought. She shook off the thought, and looked to where Tai Lung was. He was losing. She softly smiled at him, pinned on the ground. Wait, he was losing? She quickly got back on task, and charged after the wolf. She jumped, and slid on the ground, going for Sky's legs. Sky quickly jumped up again, and landed on Tigress' stomach. She went wide-eyed, as she bent over from the pain. She knew the worst spot to get hit is either in the temple or the stomach, and now she knew how bad it hurt.

Both of the cats lay there almost completely stunned from pain that the wolf gave them. She looked around, knowing that if she moved would just cause more damage to herself, along with Tai Lung. She couldn't hear a thing, just her heart pounding at a thousand miles an hour. Sky slowly withdrew his sword. He walked swiftly towards Tai Lung, and set the sword on his tail, and cut. Tigress flinched, shocked that he was true to his word; that he would cut the own cat's tail off if he disobeyed him. Tai Lung gasped, and closed his eyes, apparently so sick from the pain that he passed out. Sky smiled. He slowly turned around, and walked towards Tigress. Tigress was breathing fast and hard, for she knew what would soon happen to her.

He knelled down, and whispered tensely in Tigress' ear. "And you, I have no need for." Tigress' mouth was open, as she breathed hard, wondering what he would do to her. She tried to move, but now she couldn't. He hit her hard enough to stun her!

Sky smiled. He kissed her softly on the lips, drew away, and held his sword to her neck. Her life quickly flashed before her eyes, more intensly from when it did just a little bit ago. This was the end... she knew it. If only there was one more way she could live her life, not based off of one thing that she depended on, but of several things. Of happiness... friendship... love... she took one last glance at Tai Lung before she was about to leave this world. But this can't happen to her... it can't... no, it shouldn't! No... No...

"Nooo!" A screaming voice came in, and kicked Sky off of her. She looked at the thing that cast the wolf away from her. A small being. But not mantis... no... He was on Sky, beating him up like no other, throwing his tiny fists hard at his face... fists? Mantis does not have fists... In a split second Tigress quickly passed out, bringing her head down with a soft thump.