(Chapter Eighteen!!!!!! Wow, this is the first chapter I've done that was done in almost close proximity to a previous one. Anyway, if this is short and rushed to you, I intended to do so as preparation for the next chapter. Shu Ai is getting old as is everything around him, sort of. Shu keeps in contact with the outside world, especially with Ping, Tigress, and Viper. Tai Lung asks for Shu's service and Shu pledges allegiance to Tai Lung. What will happen next? Tra la la la la mwah!)

Chapter Eighteen: Events of the Outside

Zhang Liao spent his time with Tai Lung, keeping him company. Tai Lung originally had thought of Zhang Liao to be mad at him for nearly killing him. Zhang Liao merely replied that the past is past. Their friendship stayed and grew strong.
During this time Zhang Liao keeps in contact with Ping, Hei Li, Hei Tong, Meng Lao, Viper, and Tigress. This is through letters. Liao usually replies a little late due to his lack of breaks.
Zhang Liao has acquired a spear with a specially-designed blade which Roc had found. He calls this spear the Dragon Revival. He always brings this with him no matter where he is.

Ping was saddened at the loss of Tigress. She was taken from the Orphanage by Master Shifu when word got to him that Zhang Liao was no longer present in the Valley.
Also, Ping had made friends with Po, the son of the guy who shares his name. He became a regular customer at the noodle shop whenever he got the money. Po had an unusual enthusiasm for the Martial Arts; Kung Fu to be specific. Ping does wonder how the two can be related, or how the shop can survive the weight when Po told him he sleeps on the second floor.
Ping was also one of the victims of Monkey's practical jokes; though he did say he made friends with the trickster. Ping also occasionally helped Monkey with his jokes.
Ping also had heard stories of a Mantis with no patience but soon gained it. He would have wanted to meet this individual but did not know where he resided. He also had heard of Crane but lost interest in him.

Viper and Tigress were also in constant contact with Zhang Liao; Viper being more frequent than Tigress. Viper missed the warrior even though they had only seen each other once. She hoped that he would come back and personally watch her dances as she felt more energy and excitement when performing for him.
Tigress apparently became the new favorite of Shifu at the Jade Palace. She writes that he is a harsh teacher who never seems to have time for fun; unlike Ping who was able to balance work and fun. She soon decides to try and impress him; with Zhang Liao replying to not overdo it.

Those letters were during the years Zhang Liao has endured in the prison. The latest news however interested him. He was nearing his thirties when Ping told him.
There were five of them; the protectors of Peace. Each had their own strengths. The Furious Five were formed. Ping described them as unstoppable. He described Monkey and Mantis as technical, Viper as agility, Tigress as strength, and Crane as balance.

"Roc, have you heard of the Furious Five?" Zhang Liao asked his fellow guard and friend.
"Yeah. They're the protectors of the Peace at the Valley, right?" Roc asked.
Zhang Liao and Roc were on their way once more to Tai Lung's cell. Zhang Liao had noticed that his mane grew out once more but paid no attention to it as he brushed it off from his mask with his paw. They arrived at the lift and started to head down to Tai Lung's cell.
"Who are you interested in? Personally I'm interested in Viper and Tigress," Liao asked Roc. He preferred Tigress due to her strength and Viper due to her agility.
"Personally, I like Crane," Roc favored Crane.

They arrived at the bottom, discussing why they favored who they said.
"Are you going to wait out here again?" Liao asked Roc as he unlocked Tai Lung's cell to go in.
"Yeah. I'm still a wimp," Roc grinned.
"It's been years and you're still like that? Hah!" Zhang Liao teased as he entered the cell.

"My friend," Tai Lung greeted him.
"Tai Lung, I bring news from the outside," Liao sat in front of Tai Lung.
"I'm all ears," Tai Lung listened as Zhang Liao started to tell him of the Furious Five.
"Five of them, eh? They're still no match for me," Tai Lung said when Zhang Liao finished.
"Show-off, you are Tai Lung, the greatest of us all!" Zhang Liao told him with a short laugh.
"To be honest, Tai Lung, I can sense trouble. The outside world seems tense, as if waiting for something," Liao told Tai Lung of his suspicions of the outside.

"Zhang Liao, would you side with me no matter what happens?" Tai Lung asked suddenly.
"What are you asking, Tai Lung?"
"Would you?"
"I would stay your friend, if that's what you're asking, but…"
"That's all the answer I need. Thank you, my friend," Tai Lung finished with a grin.

Zhang Liao thought about this and nodded.
"I see where you're going my friend. I understand. Me and Dragon Revival are at your service. Patience is the key now," Zhang Liao replied, banging lightly the base of his spear to the ground, pledging his service to Tai Lung.
The two were now unstoppable. Zhang Liao, or Shu Ai, was to now be a witness to events he never thought would happen.