A/N: Ahhh, now this is the chapter, where, I promise, things are going to start happening. Promise. Enjoy.

At breakfast Shang told everything he had told Tai and Mei. Po leapt up with a mighty shout of joy. Viper smiled. Mantis and Monkey high-fived. Tigress had the slightest sparkle in her eye. Crane, however, let his wings drop. He could very easily fly out and find them, but it was just tiring on how many times he had to be the messenger.

"Something wrong, Crane?" asked Viper, noticing the avian.

"Oh nothing," said the crane, gesturing with a wing toward himself, "its just that I'm going to have to fly around in search of a soldier group that might not even be there!"

"I'll tell you where it is, don't worry Crane," said Shag. "I wouldn't just send you out there flying around, looking for something!"

"But Po might," jibed Mantis.

"What do you mean?" asked Po. "I wouldn't do that." He rocked back on his chair and then clapped his paws together. "That reminds me, could one of you go to my room and grab my bag of fortune cookies?"

"Ahhh, I see what you mean," said Tai to Mantis. "No Po, you can go get them yourself unless you tell me exactly where they are."

"Uhhhh...they are...uh...nevermind."

"My point is proven!" said Mantis, holding up his pincers in the air as in resignation.

Po pursed his lips. "Not cool."

"As you were saying Shang..." said Tigress, reverting the topic back to the group of soldiers.

"They should be between here and here," stated Shang. He dipped a claw in some red ink and made a box around the approximate areas. "Just search there. Its a pretty good sized garrison – to you guys – at around a thousand. Against the wolves, it wouldn't be anything close to a fair fight."

Crane studied the map and nodded.

"Alright, that's better. I can search that in little under a day and a half. If the soldiers are with me, I should be back at least by the end of the week. That good?"

"Perfect," said Shang and told Crane were to go. "Before you go, when you meet them mention my name and then ask that you wish to see Zhou, the commander. They'll lead you straight to the commander. Then again, you are Master Crane. Chances are you won't have too hard of a time convincing them."

"One quick question before I go."

"Shoot."

"Are they Imperial or Mengyou City Guard?"

"Some are Guard but most, I'd say over a third, are Imperial. The rest are from assorted major cities and provinces. But the Guard does have a bit of a pull because of Kun Zhu and his ties with the Emperor. Mention Tai's name – it might help."

Crane nodded and then flew off.

"Great. It will now be, what, thirteen to one?" said Tigress.

"Eleven point eight nine two to be precise," stated Tai matter-of-factly. "Much better odds than our last count."

"If Crane comes back with them," shot back Tigress.

"Of course," answered Tai calmly.

"What now?" asked Monkey.

"Simple," said Mei, a toothy grin plastered on her face. "We get ready!"

The week passed by quickly. More defenses were set up and plans drawn up. Buildings were reinforced and everything was being readied for what they knew was going to be a ferocious battle. Everything that could be done with only nine animals was done. When they had free time, they would train or relax. The most important thing right now was a calm spirit. A strong body coupled with a mind in turmoil was completely against both Master Shifu's and Kamon's teachings. Mediations were performed daily as well as exercises.

The cool night breeze gently caressed Tai as he walked through the streets of the village. It was like a ghost town; a very battle ready and kept up ghost town. He inspected a thin tripwire and carefully stepped over it. They all had gone through so many drills making sure they didn't accidently activate a trap while in combat. But every trigger, every trap and what it did was burned into his memory. This was all going against his nature. Sure he was supposedly a very powerful being, but he hated that his kind were associated with violence. All they needed to do was look at his father and mother. They were the complete opposite of violence. He wondered that if his race had been given a stereotype because of Gu-Yi. It was a possibility not to be excluded.

He rounded a bend and was scared out of his skin when he almost bumped into Li. His ancestor looked at him with calm, peaceful eyes sprinkled with sorrow.

"Crimson flow,

makes one let the madness go.

The beast inside

Must be pushed back with the tide,

Of peace.

Yet sorrow crushes all

When those near you fall.

Empty and hollow you will feel,

As besides their bodies you kneel,

Shedding salty tears."

Tai was unnerved by the short poem Li had just recited. "What's that supposed to mean?" he said, bewildered. Immediately he began to worry. A dark, foreboding feeling came over him. You didn't have to be a genius to recognize that the prognostication was telling him that someone – or two animals – were going to die.

"Please," Tai begged. He was even temped to get down on his knees, but that reminded him of the foretoken. "Tell me! Maybe I can help them!"

"It is up to you," replied Li. His eyes were now full of sadness and hurting. He didn't want this lost tiger to have to go through what he just foretold. Nothing in the world would probably be able to get back what he was going to loose. "I'm truly sorry to be the bearer of bad news."

"Then why did you even tell me!" blurted out Tai. "I didn't need that!"

"But at least now you have a chance stop the future from happening."

Tai snorted. His patience, usually hard pressed to snap, was actually wearing thin. "Unless I know what to look out for, I won't be able to stop it!"

Li sighed and let his paw rest on Tai's shoulder in a fatherly manner. "Let's hope you will. Tai, listen to me, I am beyond words in distress that I had to deliver this to you, but I was told to by my superiors, so I must. Please, do not be angry at me. But instead, think on it."

Li bowed his head and turned. Li walked forward and slowly began to rise as if walking by invisible steps and faded into nothing. Tai was left, frozen, looking down the road. The breeze had stopped, leaving the air motionless. He didn't know what to do. His mind tried to wrap around what Li had told him. Something was going to happen to two – their death. Who? Could it be Shang and Mei? That would be terrible! One of the Furious Five? All these were possibilities. But, then again, how did he know that this was going to happen sometime soon? For all he knew, Li could have been talking about later in his life.

"Hey, what's the matter Tai?" asked familiar voice behind him. This was a voice, though, he was glad to hear. Tigress.

"Oh, uh, nothing."

Tigress folded her arms across her chest. "That's what everyone says. Are you sure?"

Tai gave a weak smile. "Positive."

"Alright, it's time we get inside and get to bed. After all, tomorrow is the time when the army is supposed to get here. And still no sign of Crane. Wonder what's taking him so long? He said he would be here by early today. But he's not!"

"I think he'll get here. I'm not too worried about him. After all, Crane is a very good fighter. He can fly away. Think of this also. If he wasn't able to convince them, he would be back already. Chances are, the troop is just having a bit of trouble getting here."

"Glad to see somebody's thinking optimistically," remarked Tigress.

Tai nodded even though, deep down inside, he all of a sudden felt very sick. Two animals close to him were going to die. He didn't want that! These were the closest – well, only – friends he truly had. He could prevent the future though, he could change. Li didn't say it was set in stone. And even if it was set in stone, you can chisel it out and start over. There isn't anything you can't change. He suddenly felt better. Maybe he would change the future. He would just have to watch them all. A daunting task though. Tigress might know how.

"Tigress, would you mind it if I asked a question that might be personal?"

Tigress thought about it but decided that if she thought it was too personal she would ignore him. "Sure."

"How do you make sure everyone around you is safe? Like, I've heard you are very good at analyzing you opponents and the battlefield, but I would like to know how."

Tigress looked at Tai with an inquisitive stare. Why was he asking something like that?

"I'm not sure how I do it," she admitted. "I guess it comes naturally after you've fought a lot."

"Oh," said Tai, disappointed that there was no method do getting that type of complete tactical awareness.

"Who told you that anyways?"

"Po."

"Should've known. He's likely to exaggerate."

"Likely?"

"Okay, he does exaggerate. He doesn't lie. But take whatever he says and trim it down a bunch and you've got the truth. Or, at least, most of it. He leaves other stuff out in his stories."

"I warrant you've had time to get used to it?"

"Yeah."

"Wonder how he's going to tell this story."

Again, Tigress looked at Tai. "What story?"

"The one about us fighting the wolves. Won't it be a marvelous story? How a thousand and nine went up against almost twelve times their number? Even if we don't win, I almost guarantee that, though the wolves may rule, our legacy will be told for generations."

"Still thinking optimistic...right?"

"In a sense. One can never loose hope."

"Yeah...you're right."

There was a comfortable silence between them as they climbed the stairs to the Palace. As they reached the top of the stairs, they heard of flapping behind them. Tai instinctively got into a defensive position, ready for anything. Well, what he considered anything. Tigress pushed his outstretched paw down. Tai blinked rapidly from the contact, but Tigress didn't notice. Finally, the outline of Crane came into view. Tai relaxed. Crane's frantic flapping was followed by his heavy breathing. He half-alighted, half-crash landed onto the threshold. Tai helped the tired bird up onto his legs. Crane looked at Tai thankfully and took a minute to cool down.

"What's the matter Crane?" asked Tigress. Her ears stood straight up and her fur seemed to crackle with energy. She was ready for the worst news possible.

"Zhou...has agreed. Troops are coming...around from...the back. Will be here in an hour," Crane said, sporadically taking in large gulps of the night air. Tai smiled at Tigress and she smiled back. They were going to be able to get the troops dug in before the wolves arrived. Yet Crane's next words crushed there hopes of a waiting period. "But I spotted the wolves army not too far off...They'll be here by tomorrow. We can't mess around tomorrow with getting the troops settled. Will have to be tonight."

Tai's smile was wiped off his face with the overwhelming news. Tigress grimaced.

"I'll get the others. Tai, you help Crane."

Tai nodded and helped Crane get some food and water after his long flight.

The rest were up in a flash when they heard the news that Crane had returned with the patrol and that the wolves Army in Black was almost to the Valley of Peace.

"Glad you're back, Crane," said Viper.

"Me too."

"Alright, everyone, we need to get ready to meet Commander Zhou. Shang, you'll be our spokes person. Tai, I need you by his side – your for diplomacy or whatever politics that might come up. We do need a representative for us though. Po?"

"Nah. I'm not good with that stuff. Monkey should do it."

"Are you kidding me? I'm not going to have to deal with politics at all."

The Furious Five went into an impromptu conference on who should be the Valley of Peace's spokesanimal. No one really had any true dealings with politics, so they settled on Po despite his clear displeasure.

To make sure the transition easier – and to make the hour go by faster – they undid all the traps, making sure that they wouldn't go off when the troops came in to occupy the deserted village. Though they worked diligently, the hour still seemed to pass by agonizingly slow. It would take forever it seemed for Commander Zhou and the patrol to get here. Crane assured everyone that they would be here soon.

Crane proved to be both wrong and right. While the troops didn't get there soon at least they got to the Valley of Peace. Torches had been lit within the patrol, letting the flickering light cast shadows on the faces of the grimfaced troops. A large ox stepped forward from the midst of the troops. He pulled out a large bugle and exhaled deeply into it. The sound that rushed forth from it was a deep bass that rumbled throughout the Valley. Tai felt his heart skip a beat. Po did a little dance step.

That is awesome, thought the panda.

The ox, now finished, did a quick march and stood in front of the three. He bowed low to Tai and Po but saluted to Shang. The Golden cat stood up taller. Technically, Commander Zhou was a higher rank than he was, but he had saluted him first.

"Greetings, Majesty Tai and Guard. Hail to you, Dragon Warrior," came the ox's voice; something similar to the bugle, though not as earth shattering. "I received the plea for help Master Crane about your problem and the wolves' Army in Black. What can we do to help? After all, this is what the Li-Chow Patrol is for."

Shang saluted Zhou back. "Sir, may I have permission to speak, sir?"

Zhou nodded sagely. "Permission granted."

Shang nodded and took a deep breath. "We need you to set up within the houses, out of sight. We want you to be a surprise. Other than that, watch for the traps during the battle. Right now we have disabled them."

The ox commander rubbed his short Fu Manchu moustache.

"Sergeant Gangyen!" bellowed Zhou. The ox didn't wait for the sergeant to come and stand at attention. "Sound command. I want groups of five per floor in each house. For every restaurant or market, ten at least if we can fit them in there. I need for them to be able to move comfortably, yet have the most in numbers they can have. Archers I need positioned out, yet hidden, on the rooftops. No fires. Those who can't fit in the houses I want positioned in or around the Jade Palace. Commando groups I need just outside the village ready for anything. Understand?"

"Sir, yes, sir!"

"Dismissed."

Drums began to beat and the well disciplined troops rolled out to designated positions. Tai watched the movement with fascination – beside Po with the same expression on his face: wide-eyed in amazement. Every movement was crisp and professional. Maybe not as fluid as kung fu, but altogether well organized. Tai doubted that these 'weren't the best' as Shang said. These troops looked very good. But he wasn't very good in military judgment. Tactics and actual combat were two very separate things.

"Come, Commander Zhou," said Tai, realizing he hadn't met the Furious Five. "Would you like to meet the Furious Five?"

"It would be my honor to. An honor to boast about to my fellow commanders when I return."

Tai nodded and led the way to were the Jade Palace where the Furious Five had moved in order to let the troops get into their designated position. Commander Zhou acted as if the steps weren't even there and reached the top in the same state as when he was at the bottom. Shang was breathing slightly harder while Tai was the last, making it up there, catching his breath – though Po still took the longest. The ox breathed deeply and sighed loudly.

"Ah, the Jade Palace, home to the greatest kung fu masters in all of China. Guard Shang, are these your barracks now?"

"Yessir. We arrived here to warn them and they let us stay here."

"You are a lucky Golden cat, I must admit. Did only two of you escape the slaughter at Mengyou City?"

"One other," said Tai. "A clouded leopard by the name of Mei Faxian. Shang and Mei are together, you could say. Almost inseparable."

Zhou nudged Shang with an elbow, giving him a mischievous wink.

"Good girl, I hope?"

"Very good, sir. Wouldn't know how to live without her."

Zhou nodded and Tai rolled his eyes, but caught himself. He was one to judge. Just one look at Tigress sent his head spinning. Only Shang had courage; something that Tai needed to work on.

The Furious Five and Mei had gone to the training hall and were practicing. Commander Zhou watched them with silent admiration. When they noticed him, they stopped and walked over to the newcomer.

"Welcome," said Tigress.

"Thank you," replied Zhou. "It is an honor to meet you all."

"The feeling is mutual," said Mei, speaking for the Five. "Anyone for some tea?"

"Dumplings too?" added Po.

"Sure."

As the boiling water was poured from the kettle, they outlined their plans for Commander Zhou. He wrote down the plans and added little notes meticulously on a parchment of paper. Thanking them he bid them goodnight and walked away. Already it was late, so they decided to cut away any further distractions and go to bed. Tomorrow was the day when the wolves' army was supposed to come.

Today is like any other day, only its tomorrow, which means its today and therefore the present, thought Tai. And that means that the wolves' army is going to arrive anytime soon.

With that gloomy thought in his mind, Tai made his way to the kitchen and mess hall. There wasn't much talking. Just animals eating their meals with a conscious filled with questions and anxiety. Even Tigress seemed slightly unsure about what was going to happen. Mantis tried to crack a few jokes, but they were met with unsettling silence. After breakfast, they trained a bit more, but other than that, they meditated. Mei let her head rest on Shang's shoulder as they contemplated living without each other if one of them died. The others sat, looking forward. Tigress thought of Master Shifu and how he would handle the situation. Po looked off into the distance and wondered how he would do in the battle...and what he would have for lunch. Mantis clacked his pincers together in effort for him to actually be doing something instead of all this waiting. Crane merely traced his beloved calligraphy with his talons on the wooden floor. Viper twirled her ribbons around in intricate patterns. Sometimes she would do a quick hop before going back to absentmindedly moving the ribbon around her slim body. Monkey wondered if would ever figure out how to hide his almond cookies away from Po. Tai simply did math in his head to calm himself down. Finally, the dreaded, yet almost relieving message came to them. As the courier burst through the doors, they stood up on their feet.

"The army has been spotted!" said the courier.

They pushed open the door and stood before the steps, looking out over the Valley. There, coming through the Pass was the masses of the wolves' army. They stood there, watching the enemy troops worm their way to form three-pronged attack positions. When the enemy troops were in their positions, the deep, melancholy war drums called out to the Valley that the wolves' were here to come and conquer. The opposing army setup camp. They had arrived as well.

"That's what we have to face?" asked Po.

"Yes," came the reply from Tai. He felt unusually calm. "That is what we are going to defend China from."