So you liked Viper's Tale? That's good to hear. To be honest I was a bit concerned with it. But I'm glad you liked it. and for those of you who didn't...well...Not much to tell ya honestly. But I do appreciate the reviews! Now Here we go with MONKEY!

Chapter 6

Monkey's tale

Four months ago…

"Get back here MONKEY!" shouted an enraged gray elephant, as he was chasing Monkey through the village streets. Monkey was laughing excessively almost in a forced laugh just to humiliate the big lug. Constable Hu had just been the victim of one of Monkey's latest in a long line of pranks on the law official. Unable to use Kung Fu legally without a lousy permit, Monkey was forced to find other ways to occupy his time. Eventually he ended up going back to his pranking ways, more so than just his little prank war he had been having with Po, no, this time, Monkey had made the elephant his target. For the past two weeks Monkey had made it his mission to make Hu absolutely miserable. After all, he was the reason why they could no longer use Kung Fu to protect the Valley of Peace, so if Monkey was gonna be miserable, he was gonna make sure the old elephant was too.

"Catch me if you can!" Monkey taunted, further angering the elephant as Hu sounded his trunk in rage and continued to chase Monkey through the streets. Little did Hu know that Monkey was leading him straight into another one of his pranks, one he had set up earlier just for this exact moment. As Monkey rounded the corner he headed right into Mr. Pings restaurant, making sure not to trip his tripwire that was set up in the entry way under the arch. As Monkey skidded to a halt Monkey turned and waited for the Constable to arrive.

As the official came to a halt he roared "That's quite far enough Master Monkey!" Monkey just rolled his eyes saying "Oh, no I'm trapped, whatever will I do now?" The Constable took one step forward pointing a finger towards the primate. "I've had enough of these childish pranks of yours Monkey! This is the last straw! If I so much as suspect you of being responsible for another, I will not hesitate to throw you straight into Prison!" "What's going on here?" Constable Hu turned to his right to see a figure approaching, eventually Monkey saw it was indeed Master Shifu who had arrived as he came into view in front of the archway. Uh oh… was all Monkey was able to think before Constable Hu turned and began shouting at Shifu. "Master Shifu! I have absolutely had it with your student's pranks! Do you know what he did this time!? I woke up this morning in my office to my entire floor covered in BANANA PEELS! Do you know how much it hurts for an elephant to fall down on his back twenty times! And who do I see across the street when I make it to the door? Master Monkey, standing by the wall eating a Banana!" Shifu turned to Monkey his face serious "Monkey! Is this true?"

Monkey lowered his head avoiding his masters glare "Y-yes Master…" Shifu was furious "Monkey…This childish behavior has gone too Far! This behavior is not fitting of a Master!" Monkey bowed saying "You're right Master Shifu…I am ashamed…" Shifu heaved a heavy sigh. "Monkey, you are leaving me with little choice…As the Grandmaster of the Jade Palace it is my duty to ensure this Valley has suitable protectors…that being said if I see you are responsible for one more prank on anyone else…I will be forced to have you step down from the Furious Five…" Monkey gasped, he never meant for his pranks to go this far…And now he had set himself up for his immediate removal from the Five AND being thrown into prison.

On the left side of the restaurant unbeknownst to the Masters and the Constable, Po had been peering around the corner listening to the entire exchange between the three. He had been hauling vegetable crates into the back of the restaurant when he heard the Constable blow his trunk. So he decided to see what was up. When he had heard Monkey had snuck in and literally covered Hu's floor with banana peels, he nearly peed his pants. It took all of his self-control to keep from busting out laughing. But when he heard Shifu threaten to kick Monkey off the team, he became devastated. Monkey couldn't leave the Five! He was Po's best buddy! Who would Po tell jokes to on a daily basis? Who would he play any practical jokes with?

As these thoughts were swirling around Po, something caught his eye. There was a slight glimmer along the entry way into the restaurant. Then Po became worried so he went and peered through a side window and his heart sank. There sitting on a shelf over the door where Constable Hu was about to step through sat a bucket filled with who knows what. Po then realized as he squinted his eyes that the glimmer was a tripwire leading up the side and attached to the bucket. If that wire was tripped, the bucket and whatever was inside it, would surely come crashing down. It was one of Monkey's favorite tricks.

Po had made his way back to the corner of the restaurant when he saw Hu start walking towards Monkey "I swear Monkey if I so much as smell another trick I WILL make good on my promise and have you thrown straight into my jail cell!" As Hu took another step forward Monkey held up his hands saying "Wait!" But it was too late…as Po and Monkey watched in horror there was a feint Twing sound followed by the bucket falling forward resulting in a splash as the elephant was drenched in cold water! Po was shocked. This was it. His best buddy was going to be forced to leave the Five and thrown into a jail cell and there was nothing he could do…or was there?

Monkey's eyes widened in horror as he watched the Elephant change from gray to ruby red and blow a massive cry from his trunk "MONKEY! THAT. IS. IT.! I HEREBY PLACE YOU UNDER ARES-." But before Hu could finish his sentence they all turned to the left as the heard someone laughing. "AH HA HA HA! Oh MAN DAD, I SO GOT YOU GOOD HA HA HA HA!" As Po leaped out from the corner holding his belly laughing hysterically as he rolled onto the ground in a fit of laughter. The other three were just staring at the panda as he continued "OH MAN THAT WA TOO GOOD HA HAHA! I THINK I'M GONNA PEE! Ha ha ha!" as the Panda calmed down to see his Master, Monkey and the Constable staring at him Po adopted a face of confusion…then his eyes widened when he saw Hu all wet. As Monkey walked over and helped his friend up, he whispered "What are you doing?" but Po didn't answer him instead he spoke to Hu. "Oh Man! Constable Hu! I'm so sorry! That trap wasn't meant for you I swear! It was meant for my dad!" But Hu wasn't listening instead his face was once again red "DRAGON WARRIOR! I hereby place you under arrest for crimes against an officer of the Law!" Po's face went to one of shock "What!? But I swear! It wasn't meant for you! I was just trying to get even with my dad! What are you guys even doing here? The shop won't open for like 2 hours yet!" Monkey was looking at Po as he whispered "Po what are you doing?" this time though Po just nudged Monkey with his arm silencing him. That action though did not go unnoticed by Shifu, little did they all know it. It was then Shifu stepped forward "Constable Hu, perhaps throwing Po into a cell is a bit extreme…after all it was indeed meant for his father, and there is no law against pulling pranks on a family member as far as I know." Constable Hu turned and yelled "I don't care Shifu! I am sick of being the target for your student's pranks! Either HE spends the next twenty four hours in a cell or I will be fining the Jade Palace for each and every one of Monkey's Pranks! I HAVE HAD IT!"

Shifu heaved a heavy sigh as he turned to his students. Po looked at his master Fear in his eyes. "Master?" Shifu lowered his head as he spoke "I'm sorry, Po…But I'm afraid you must go with constable Hu…The Palace just can't afford to pay THAT kind of fine right now…I'm sorry." Po then asked "But what about my dad? I promised him I would help out with the shop today! He's counting on me." Shifu sighed again "I'm sorry Po but there is nothing I can do. Perhaps Monkey will step in for you today?" as Shifu said this he glared at monkey menacingly and Monkey knew it was an order, not a request. So he bowed to Shifu saying "Of course." As Constable Hu stepped forward reaching for his handcuffs, Shifu stopped him with his cane saying "Those will not be necessary Constable Hu, Po will be no trouble to you, and I refuse to allow you to treat my student like a hardened criminal over something so frivolous as a misunderstanding!" as Shifu said this he was now glaring at Hu daring the elephant to challenge him. The Elephant just huffed and together He and Shifu led Po away, as Po looked back at Monkey and gave him a sly wink.

Monkey was speechless…Po had not only kept him out of handcuffs, but he also just saved Monkey from being forced to leave the Furious Five. And all he did was just stand there and watch his friend take the fall for him. He had to talk to Po right then, so he climbed onto the rooftop and headed for Constable Hu's office. When he reached the rear of the building he stopped underneath the cell window and he listened to the three inside. He heard a metal door close and lock as Hu went to put the key on a hook. Inside, Shifu could be heard talking with Po. "I'm terribly sorry for this panda, but there just isn't another option for us right now. Po could be heard saying "It's okay Master, not like this is your fault." Then Po asked Hu "So…when's Lunch?" The constable just huffed saying "This isn't a restaurant Dragon Warrior." Po's eyes widened "So no Lunch!? What about dinner!? I'll die if I don't get any dinner!" Shifu was now glaring at Hu as he said "Don't worry panda, I will send Crane down with a meal for you this evening." Po smiled at his Master as Shifu walked over to the Constable. "I expect to have Po back at the Palace in time for morning training tomorrow Constable." As the constable huffed again the two left the office, leaving Po all alone in his cell.

With nothing better to do, Po sat down against the wall and began to meditate. His plan had worked! He managed to keep Monkey both out of cuffs and he wouldn't be forced to leave the Five! All Po had to do was spend the night in a cell! He could do that…He just wished he had a bigger breakfast that day. Suddenly Po heard a noise coming from the window. "Psst, Po! Over here!" Po looked up to see Monkey hanging from the window bars. Po stood up and walked over to the window. "Hey buddy, how's it hanging?" Monkey's eyes went wide. Here Po was sitting in jail and he just made a joke! Monkey smiled saying "Good one. But seriously Po, what are you doing?" Po just smiled "Keeping my best buddy out jail, what else?" Monkey was speechless. "Besides, I can't let you get forced out of the Furious Five! Monkey, your my best buddy, if you were gone I'd be absolutely miserable. Plus you still owe me like a dozen almond cookies."

Monkey's eyes fell as he said "Po…I don't know what to say…" Po then walked up to monkey and grabbed his hand with his paw saying "Monkey, you're like my brother, I'd do anything for ya. Even spend a night in a jail cell." Monkey was speechless again as he stared into Po's jade eyes. No one had ever done something like this for him. With Kong, Monkey was the one who always would take the fall because of the promise he made to his mother. Never had someone done the same thing for him like this. Monkey gripped Po's paw and said "Thanks…brother…" Po just smiled before saying "Now, you better get out of here before Constable Hu sees ya." Monkey said "Yeah…and don't worry I'll help your dad with the shop today. I'll tell him Shifu had to send you on an important mission or something." Po smiled at his brother saying "Thanks Monkey, now get out of here." And with that Monkey left and jumped onto the nearby rooftop, as he took one last look at Po watching him through the window he told himself, he had to tell Shifu everything this evening. And with that Monkey headed off to the Noodle Shop.

The next day Po was approaching the palace steps when he noticed Shifu standing at the bottom next to some weights, and two poles with water filled buckets attached to them. As Po approached his Master he bowed and brought his fist to his palm saying "Good morning Master." Shifu smiled at the panda and said "Good morning Po, to make up for missing last night's evening training, you will be carrying these buckets of water while wearing these fifty pound weights." Po looked at the two poles and four weights as his face fell "I have to wear all four of those?" "Nope Two of those are mine." Po turned to see Monkey standing behind him. "What's going on?" Po asked as he turned to Shifu.

Shifu smiled as he explained "Monkey came to me last night and told me what really happened yesterday." Po's eyes widened as he turned to Monkey "Monkey, what were you thinking!?" then he got down on his knees and pleaded with his master "Master Please! Don't force Monkey to leave the Furious Five!" Shifu smiled at the Panda's devotion to his friend as he continued. "I have no intention of doing anything of the sort." Po was now confused as he looked to his Master. "But yesterday you said…" But Shifu cut him off. "Yes, I did, and I meant it. But in doing so now after your actions yesterday would be an insult to you and your devotion to your friend. So instead, Monkey will be joining you in your training." Po looked up as he saw Monkey putting on the weights and reach for his pole, a smile on his face. Shifu placed a hand on Po's shoulder as he turned to head up the stairs, saying "Now, each of you will carry those buckets up and down these stairs, twenty five times each, when you are finished you may get breakfast and then join the others in the training hall." With that Shifu left the two Masters to their training.

As Po placed his weights around his ankles he reached for his own pole as Monkey turned to him a smile on his face. "Last one to the top makes breakfast!" and with that the two brothers charged the stairs laughing like the best joke in the world had just been told.

Back with the Five. Present day.

"So Shifu really almost made you leave the Furious Five?" Crane had asked as Monkey turned from the panda to look at him. "Yeah, he was dead serious…and if Po hadn't taken the fall for me that day I would have not only been dismissed from the Five, but I would be in prison too." Monkey then turned to the panda, placing his hand on Po's shoulder. "Po had my back that day…he's been a real brother too me this whole time. Seeing him like this…I don't think I could take it…If I lose Po, who will I tell my jokes to? Who will try to out prank me on a daily basis…I can't lose my brother…not now…not ever." Mantis hopped onto Monkey's shoulder saying "Don't worry Monkey, remember what the Master said, we just have to have faith in Po. He'll come back to us just wait and see." As Monkey continued to stare at Po he only muttered a "Yeah…"

After several moments of silence Viper turned to Tigress who was now standing in the corner. Tigress, despite not saying much, had been listening to her friends tell their stories about the panda. And it pained her. She was unable to think of anything to say…she knew they were all expecting Tigress to tell some heart felt story about the panda but…she just couldn't. Finally Viper asked "Tigress…do you want to try to say something to Po?" Tigress avoided her friends looks as she focused on the panda, the slight rise and fall of his chest, the emotionless expression on his face, his battered body he now had because he sacrificed himself for her…Tigress managed to mutter softly "I….I don't…" Just then the door slid open and Han had returned with a pot of water and some rags "I have returned to re-clean the Dragon Warriors wounds…"

Han was making his way to the Dragon Warrior when Tigress stepped forward. "Please…let me take care of that…" Han and the rest of the Five looked up at Tigress, But Tigress just looked down at the healer, eyes pleading. After a moment Han nodded his head saying "Of course Master Tigress…" As Han handed her the pot of water he stepped over to Po and removed the blanket covering Po. Tigress and the Five saw Po's stomach and cringed. Blood had seeped through the bandages, and as Han removed them the wounds were quite unsightly. Yet Tigress dipped the rag in the hot water and began to clean the Panda's wounds. As Han placed the clean bandages on the nightstand he left the masters to tend to their friend.

Silence filled the room, the only sound being the swishing of the water as Tigress rung out the rags. As she was tending to the panda, her eyes kept drifting to his face. Blank. His face was blank and it was quite disturbing. As she finished cleaning the wounds on Po's stomach she reached for the new wrappings and began to cover Po's wounds Viper moved forward to help but Tigress waved her away. She wanted…no she needed to help Po herself. Kind of like when he…then her eyes shot open. Maybe she did have a story she could tell Po. As she finished applying the last wrapping to Po's stomach she went and un bandaged his head to reveal a sever bruise and cut that was still bleeding. She dipped the rag in the water again and placed it on the Pandas right side of his forehead. Finally she spoke. "You know…there was this one time…when Po helped me realize something…" The others stared at Tigress but it was Viper who asked gently. "And what was that Tigress?" Urging Tigress to continue. Tigress stared at the Panda's face as she gripped his Paw with her free hand. "He helped me realize…that I'm not such a Monster…"

DA DA DAAAA! WOOO That was a fun Chapter to write...not bad for writing it on a tablet if I do say so myself...So how did you like Monkey's Tale? good? Bad? Let me know... Next up is Tigress and then what? Will Po wake up? Will he be lost forever? I still have to write it so Who knows!

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