Disclaimer- I do not own Kung Fu Panda. Dumplings are yummy.
Author's Note- I'm sorry I have been very inactive for a while. Posting will slow down due to schoolwork, testing, etc.
"Now, I will repeat my question: what did you discuss with Master Han?" Shifu glared accusingly at Tigress. Crane shifted his gaze to the floor; all of them were restless, desperate to leave this situation, and Shifu, alone.
"I will repeat my answer." Tigress snarled defiantly. "That is between us and Master Han." Tigress knew she was pushing her limits. Shifu could very well throw her out of the Jade Palace, even banish her from the Valley of Peace. But her desire for justice got the best of her and she didn't give in.
"I know that the criminal you're dealing with isn't as easy as you told me. You, all of you, lied to me. Master Han died because of it." Viper looked guilty and felt heart-broken. Monkey felt confused, torn between siding with Shifu or aiding Tigress.
"I will go," Shifu continued. "You six are obviously too foolish to deal with the criminal. You are not experienced enough. I will go, alone." He turned to leave to the armory, to get his staff that he inherited from Oogway. Tai Lung had broken it, but Shifu had it repaired with some of the wood from a peach tree.
"No," Tigress grabbed Shifu's shoulder. Her mentor turned to flip her over, but she let go and pushed Shifu over. It was a cowardly move, but Tigress could not let Shifu leave by himself. "Master Han warned us about this. He knows you can't deal with the convict. You don't know the kung fu of the middle east. The criminal would kill you, and leave the Jade Palace, leave us, without a master." She didn't care how morbid this foretelling was, she had to make Master Shifu understand. Shifu was blind to his own weakness, and refused to admit that someone could even get near to defeating him.
"Tigress," Shifu staggered to his feet and didn't face one of his greatest students. "I will go, and you will stay. That is an order. And follow it." He walked off, clearly humiliated that his student pointed out a flaw that he had failed to notice. Tigress did not attempt to go after him. It was hopeless, she could not disobey her master.
"Let's go Tigress. I guess training is canceled today." Po tried to make a joke, but failed. The mood had killed off any remaining optimism. The panda sighed and headed with the the others back to the main building. Tigress, on the other hand, stay put where she was and stared at the main gate, deep in thought. They left her where she stood, knowingly leaving her to herself. She was known to lash out at anyone when she was upset.
I have to stop the criminal, she thought, but I must not defy Shifu another time. He would be furious. Tigress bent down and crossed her legs. She sighed, calming her mind. She meditated often, regulating her thoughts and emotions. Shifu barely survived Tai Lung, the student he knew best. Part of her wanted to protest and say she was the pupil Shifu knew best, but her heart knew that Tai Lung was the apprentice Master Shifu cherished the most. The loyalty to the Valley of Peace must override the loyalty to Shifu if the innocent citizens are in danger, right? She hoped she would make the right desicion because millions could be murdered in cold blood due to a single mistake. Oh, Oogway, what would you do? Tigress did not expect an answer in reply, and an image formed in her mind. She remembered Oogway warning Shifu that Tai Lung would escape no matter what. Master Shifu didn't listen to Oogway and sent the messenger over whose, ironically, feather would open Tai Lung's cell. When Shifu left, Oogway told them that everyone is wrong at one point, and if they must, they could disobey the master of the Jade Palace. Back then, Tigress had scoffed behind the turtle's back, pondering why anyone should disobey the master of the Jade Palace. But now, she realized that Oogway's words sparked something inside her. A flame of rebellion roared inside of her, calling for action and the right for justice. Suddenly, her amber eyes snapped open, a shiny glint sparkling in them.
Tigress jumped up and slammed the doors open. She dashed down the corridors, calling everyone to the main training area. Mantis poked out his small head, wondering if Tigress had fallen to a mental disease.
They sat on the steps to the main training arena, slurping Po's noodle soup. Tigress still had a salad, but was too busy talking to eat.
"We have to leave tonight. I spotted Shifu practicing with his staff when I came to get you guys, and no offense, but I think we could do better."
"What?!" Viper exclaimed. "Master Shifu has ordered us to stay, we can't just leave without permission!"
"Yeah, he looked pretty angry." Monkey agreed. "In plus, it would be nice to take a few days off. I mean, protecting the valley is hard work." Crane rolled his eyes, but his attitude revealed that he ,too, agreed.
"So, you would rather obey Shifu than save the valley from a possible massacre? Great." Tigress asked sarcastically. Mantis clicked his pincers uneasily. Viper suddenly became interested in the floating noodle in her soup. Po sat there and glanced between his fellow warriors. Crane shifted, unnerved by Tigress' sudden out burst.
"Well?" she asked again. "Are we going to fulfill our duty to the Valley of Peace?" Crane slowly nodded and stood up.
"Tigress is right. Oogway once told us there would be a time where we would face our loyalty to our master, or the loyalty to the valley." Crane declared. The white bird had a way with words and one by one, they sided with the valley.
They waited until the darkness took over the sky and it became night. Viper had predicted Shifu would leave in the morning, rather than the evening. When the lamps in the hallways were extinguished and Shifu retired to his bedroom, they quietly opened their doors and hurried to the armory. It was chilly outside, it was still winter. Tigress pulled on some gloves and took a look at a javelin, a type of spear, that was hanging from one of the racks on the wall.
"Wow," Po breathed. "I've never been in here before." The panda put on a jacket and handed Monkey his staff. Viper stretched her lithe body, preparing herself for battle. Crane slipped a leather satchel over his head, the bag carrying important documents that would allow them to pass through security virtually anywhere. Tigress pushed open the great red door and with one final glance at their home, they left the Jade Palace.