Author's Note: Hi guys and gals I hope you're enjoying my new story/series so far. Please leave a review and let me know what you think, enjoy. Disclaimer: I do not own Kung Fu Panda, It is only owned by Dreamworks. I do however own my characters.

Ch. 8 The first escort Mission

The sun rose the next morning with magnificent beauty in the sky. The clouds cling to the heaven's sky. The air was fresh, cool, and reasonable. Just as what Rai the young avian hawk needed. He sat on top of the Jade Palace along with his two friends Sora and Meili, who also enjoyed the satisfying breeze.

Weeks past after the grapple with Tung and continued to prepare for another potential encounter. But for now, the young novices were secretly taking it easy. Obviously attempting to stay away from the masters trying to avoid practice. Minus Lilly and Shun who both didn't mind training, who jointly continues to keep their sheer strengths up with their instructors.

"Sora, Rai, Meili!" Someone called. The panther, hawk, and serpent sat up and looked over the edge and sees Po looking up at then.

"Yeah, what's up?" Sora bellowed at one of his instructors. "Your what's up. Tigress isn't happy you ditched your training today." Po informed with crossed arms.

"I wasn't in the mood. Plus she's got Lilly with her, she can take my place today." Sora responded waving his hand. "She's still pretty upset. You better hurry to her before she comes for you," Po advised

"SORA," A feminine voice shouted from inside the Training room. "And I think that's her now," Po breathed, backing away slowly. The training rooms flew open and out came Tigress and she approached Po.

"Where is he?" She snarled. Not even the slightest was he intimidated, he raises his index finger and points up. All three students blinked awkwardly down at them and waved awkwardly. Tigress scowled with daggers eyes at her student, which gave Sora a cold shiver as he clenched his teeth.

"Sora, get down here this instant!" She shouted. "No, your upset. I don't know what your gonna do when I get down there, I ain't taken that risk." Sora argued.

"That's an order! I'll come up there if I have too!" She yammered. Meili and Rai looked each other worriedly and hoped she wouldn't go for them. Both serpent and avian made their way down and paced to Po's side. Tigress took a quick glance at Rai and Meili then back at Sora.

"Alright, if they did, so will I. I'm coming down." Said Sora as he carefully made his way down. Finally on the ground and walked slowly to them. With him standing in front of them, Tigress rushed forward and held on to him.

"Got you!" She stated holding him tight. "You're going to train today if you like it or not." Sora then had an ominous smile on his face and said, "I think not," then turned clouds of smoke. Tigress along with everyone else was baffled.

"What the-" Tigress began. "Was he a clone the entire time?" Rai questioned. Tigress looked around and saw that the real Sora was by the entrance and ran inside. "Oh you're not getting away kid." Tigress commented and followed.

"He's gotten really good with that doppelganger clone technique." Rai stated with Meili and Po agreed in agreement with a nod. Along the way Sora hurried his way to the Hall of Heroes trying to escape Tigress's sights, with her tailing him.

Without ether one paying attention, they didn't even notice Shifu standing in front of the pool looking at scrolls of mail that Zeng delivered. He was completely aware of their bickering chase and decided to ignore them, because it was almost an everyday scenario. As he was looking through the scrolls one caught his sights interests, an escort request scroll. He dropped the others and set his sights on it, opened it and began scanning the manuscript. After he finished reading the scroll he walked to the middle of the room and held out his hand stopping the chase between Sora and Tigress.

"Enough of your pity chase. I believe I have a mission for you." Shifu informs. Tigress lends over to Sora's ear and said, "You owe me five laps around the valley. Sora was discouraged and lowered his head as if a hammer just fell on his head.

"Are you two listening? This is a fair week's mission and it'll take four people. Obviously one will be a master and that's you Tigress. The other three will be of your choosing. "Understood, the first one I choose will be my student Sora." Tigress chooses.

'Figures,' Sora figured. "The rest I recommend Shun and Meili." Tigress recommended, "With Shun as novice leader." she added. "WHAT! Why is Shun coming with us? I understand Meili she's great, but Shun as novice leader. Whys that huh?" Sora exclaimed gritting his teeth waving his fist around.

"Because he's better than you." Tigress answered in a low tone. Yet again it felt like another hammer has fallen on Sora's head. 'Ouch, that's really cold."

"Gather everyone here so I can explain the rest of the news," Shifu commanded and turned back to the pool. "Yes sir," Tigress approved and walked out with Sora behind her with his head down.

5 minutes later

A few minutes past and everyone were together and stood in front of Shifu, waiting for the rest of the news. He clears his throat and began.

"As you already know an escort mission was requested. The official leader will be Master Tigress, Novice leader will be Shun, and the supports will be Sora and Meili. The four of you are to escort and guard a bridge builder man to his village The Land of Waves. I expect he'll be here soon so be ready," Shifu explained.

All of a sudden a horrid smell filled Sora's and even Shun nose. Both couldn't help but cover their noses. 'What is that horrible smell?' both pondered in thought. As they thought this a Crocodile wearing a brown vest, charcoal colored pants, and sandals as well as carried a bottle of saki in his hand, entered the Hall of Heroes.

"What do we have here, a much of snot nose kids. This is my protection? Oh boy, I can already tell this is going to turn out bad." He commented then take a swig of his saki. 'That explains the smell, but I still can't indicated if it the bottle or is his odor.' Shun thought.

"And you, the black furred little guy with the stupid look on your face, you really expect me to believe you're a warrior?" He questioned. Sora chuckled and said, "Who's the little guy with black fur?" he questioned. Shun, Lilly, even Rai and Meili lined up next to Sora to measure the novices height. To make it clear as day, Meili stood up straight and Rai didn't have black fur and wasn't even going with them. Sora finally got that he was talking about him.

"I'll demolish you, come over here and say that-!" Sora rambled wildly waving his arms around and continued with Tigress holding him back. "Sora, we don't attack the people we're guarding." She told him.

"I am Dato a bridge constructor and I most return to village to finish building the new bridge passage for the Village of Mist. I expect to be there unharmed, since I'm guarded by kids and one adult that seems like anything could happen." He stated.

"I want to say you won't encounter any problems with foes, and you shouldn't, but be on guard anyway. Your trip with take you several days. Tigress, you have full responsibility over the team. The only else that I can say, is be safe." Shifu stated.

"Yes Master Shifu!" Sora and Meili said in solute. Shun nodded and headed towards. As Shun walked past Dato, the crocodile felt a very negative atmosphere from the boy. Shun exited the room and walked to the barracks. Both Sora and Meili also headed to the barracks prepare for their journey.

Finished preparing small supplies, Sora sat on his bed and waited for Tigress's call. As he waited a knock was heard on his door. Sora allowed the knocker to enter and in comes Lilly, as she sat next to him on his bed.

"Well, I just want to say good luck on your first mission, Sora. I hope it goes well." Lilly began. "Thanks Lilly, that's means a lot." He smiled widely. Lilly softly chuckled and reached for her bag she had. She then pulled out twin daggers with red handles holds them out to him. Sora carefully takes the two weapons.

"Cool, thanks Lilly." he gratefully thanked. "You're welcome. By the way, I want them back as soon as you return, okay?" she said. "Yeah, I will. I promise." Sora placed the two weapons in his bag and stood up.

Before they could say anymore Tigress opens and stands through the door. "Sora, it's time to go, Shun and Meili are out on the courtyard waiting for you," she inform. "Oh, okay." Sora walking out the but not before waving bye to Lilly. She wave at him and Sora and Tigress walked outside of the Barracks.

Walking out of the palace Sora and Tigress saw Shun leaning against the way and Meili and Dato standing at the door. Shun raised his head and unfolded his arms and walked to the approaching panther, and stood beside the viper snake and Crocodile.

"Shall we get on the road. I want to get to my village as fast as possible." Dato announced. "Then we should depart." Tigress responded. Then placed her paw on Sora's back and said, "Come on Sora." guiding him down the seemly endless stairs with Dato, Meili, and Shun following behind. They were unaware that they had an spying eye in the sky, watching them make their way down to the village. It then flew away returning to where it wince came from. Once the group finally got to the entrance of the village of the Valley of Peace, Sora raised his arms to the sky and let out a yearning sigh.

"Enjoying the surroundings?" Meili asked beside her feline friend. Sora nodded and said, "Yeah. This is my second time being able to explore. Just the feeling of the cool breeze of the true outside world, it feels incredible, like I finally escape something. " Meili was astonished of the panther's answer and agreed with the feeling. "That's true, it's like..." She began "A dream came true." both panther and serpent viper said simultaneously. The two then looked at each other in silence and suddenly laughed together.

'Those two seem to be enjoying their time together.' Dato thought to himself. "Alright lets get moving through the forest. When the sun begins to set we'll camp or find shelter." Tigress announced putting her backpack on and lead the way forward. Sora and Meili their cackle, and followed behind. Shun stayed close to Dato just in case something happens, guarding him.

(Outskirts, Unknown place)

Standing outside of the gloomy like mansion, Tung seemed to be waiting for someone. Catching sight of a black avian heading towards him. Tung held out his arm and the black bird landed on his arm. The bird inform him the information about the group in his ear.

"Thanks for the info, now get lost." The bird flew away frighten through the sky. Tung then walked back inside the mansion to face his cloaked serpent master. Entering the large cloaked snake's room he keeled before him.

"Master, I got information about the kiddies. Apparently they're out on their first mission. Escorting a man back to the village of Waves." Tung informed. Letting out a pleased hiss, Orochi was thrilled with the news and releases a quick sinister chuckle.

"Very good Tung my loyal servant. My plans will be unfold soon, though that nothing to be concerned of. But, it won't hurt to be careful. That boy Sora might present interesting, Shun too. I won't you to follow them hidden. Make sure your not spotted." He commented. "Yes sir, as you command. I'll bring back more information if needed." Tung said and exited the room and house.

That's it for this chapter, the next will be up soon. I wonder who the gang is going to encounter on their new mission. Find out next chapter, until then. Bye! ^_^