In this chapter we'll be catching up with things at the Jade Palace.
Chapter 7
Distant Dreams
The faint patter of rain droplets trickled down through the lush thicket of evergreens as the steady beat of drums echoed throughout the deep forest. Droves of forest dwellers surrounded the nearby fire coaxing its flames with their tales of heroic exploits. This place seemed oddly familiar but distant to the South China Tiger. Where ever her amber eyes looked they were greeted to sights of families all smiling and enjoying each other's company all tigers, all together. How could such a thing be possible? As far as Tigress was concerned she was the last of her kind, a rare and unique creature. She was snapped from the spectacle by a gentle tug at her pant leg. "Ex-Excuse me miss, could you spare some yuan for my sister and I." Looking down toward the quivering voice the tiger was shocked by what she saw. A small cub barely 8 or 9 years old cradling an infant in her arms, an infant that bore a marked resemblance to herself. "I-I'm sorry kid but I don't have any money, why don't you ask your parents? I'm sure they'd be happy to help you and your little sister out." The master of tiger style replied in her normal cold tone.
The dainty cub mustered up what little courage she had left. "Our parents are…well our mothers dead and our father is missing." Tigress held back her own flood of emotions trying to figure how best to satisfy the orphaned cubs. "SCRAM YOU FILTHY STREET URCHINS! LEAVE THIS POOR MAN ALONE!" A bulky male tiger clad in amour approached the trio. "Oh, excuse me. I didn't realize you were a…" "Save it! I'll talk to these two children if I wish!" Tigress growled toward the soldier readying herself for battle. "Sheesh, alright take it easy lady. But if you want my advice steer clear of these two they're nothin' but trouble, their cursed, their whole family is cursed." "Point taken now scram!" "Y-Yes sir I mean ma'am!" The cowardly tiger turned tail leaving the trio be. "Thank you so much miss, those nasty village police are always picking on Tigress and I!" Tigress' eyes widened at the small cubs comment. "Wait, what did you say your sister's name was again?!" The cub looked perplexed by the masters question. "I'm Mei and her names Tigress. Why do you-" Mei's question was cut short by a nearby explosion. Fire and debris rained down upon frightened tiger villagers as they scrambled in all directions. Tigress turned to the pair of orphans only to discover they'd vanished. "This can't be good…" She fell on all fours running against the droves of frightened villagers. Listless and ash covered tigers crawled through the rubble, Tigress thought of assisting them but knew she must find the source of this destruction. As she neared the epicenter of the chaos three silhouettes came into view. "P-p-please…what do you want from us?" A large hooded figure stood with his hand clamped around the neck of male tiger."
"You'll have to excuse him he doesn't like to talk much." Another voice answered the chocking villager, this one from a grizzly looking Gobi Big Brown Bat adorned in gold plated amour. Wait that's imperial amour could they be soldiers of the emperor? Tigress tried her best to move and approach the trio of attackers but found her body unresponsive. OF ALL THE TIMES! WHY CAN'T I MOVE?! "He does look quite frightened master, should we spare this one's life?" Another figure stepped forward from the shadows concealed behind a brown robe much like his larger accomplice. "No, what we came for requires total sacrifice, no survivors Xian Lee." The unknown creature's deep gravelly voice sent shivers down even the fearless master Tigress's spine. "I hope you aren't growing soft on us?" "No-no of course not my lord the brown bat bowed to the hooded figure. "Good…now Dat Sao acquaint this specimen with your claws." "Wait I can give you whatever you want…gold…land…power." "Oh, little tiger the power we seek requires many sacrifices…your whole village to be precise." "No, you…you monsters how can you be so heartless!?" The tiger sputtered still being choked by the other hulking assailant. I've got to stop these guy's but how?! Shrippp The large silent figure unsheathed four claws from his free paw as he raised his hand back preparing to strike. "Finish it!" The other hooded sociopath coldly uttered. Tigress tightly closed her eyes as the sickening sound cut through her ears. NO HOW COULD I LET THIS HAPPEN?! "Let what happen?" Her amber eyes opened.
Master Viper looked over Tigress worried by her friend's outcry. "You having those nightmares again Tigress?" The south china tiger defensively shot up from her bed. "No, I'm fine, I just need to clear my head with a little training." Tigress stared down at her paw noting the eerie similarity of her own claws to those of that nightmarish creature from her dream. "You need to take it easy for a little bit Ti. I think all this training plus master Shifu putting you in charge has you a little on edge." The tiger scoffed at her friend's suggestion. "Ha, you think I can't handle the responsibility?" "No, I just think you've been under a lot of stress lately." Viper grinned sheepishly. "Plus there's no denying you've got something for Po." Tigress let her anger get the better of her. "What?! No! We're friends! No more, no less. That's it!" The green snake backed away from her friends rage. "Ok! Take it easy, it's just that you two seemed well…" "Save it! We need to train, get the others." Viper was troubled by the tiger's distant attitude while Master Shifu's words resonated in her head. ""Tigers are prone to sudden changes in their personality… I fear she could be consumed by the dark forces which dwell inside us all."
Tigress brushed past the kitchen where the rest of the Five were enjoying breakfast. Hmph, I've got no time for relationships, besides, Po would never feel affection toward a monster like me. She could feel her rage and frustration boiling over as the images from her dream still lingered. I couldn't save them, my-my people, my village, my…family. How could the Dragon Warrior the Five and Master Shifu care about me when I'm so weak? No, it was only a dream, I cannot let my emotions get the better of me! The tiger entered the Jade Palace courtyard, the morning sun casting a warm glow over her orange fur as she prepared herself for the morning training. She had to double take at the sparring dummies which at first looked like her five comrades. Terrific now I'm seeing things.
"Yaaahhaaaa!" The first wooden cut outs exploded under the tremendous force of several punches. Her fighting style seemed slightly sloppy more animalistic. A torrent of rage engulfed her as she continued her onslaught, one by one the figures broke into splintered clouds of dust. Tigress's hellfire eyes narrowed as she closed in on the final cut out, dropping on all fours. Her fighting style was of no use, she had now resorted to stalking her prey. GRRRROOOOWWWLLLL! The figure which looked oddly like herself toppled over into two pieces, her claws making short work of the wood. "Claws?!" Tigress looked down at her open paw as four razor sharp claws protruded from her fingertips. They're just like the ones from my dream…She dropped to her knees as her heart began to race. The image of the hooded figure returned crushing the wind pipe of that defenseless tiger villager. The anxiety was causing Tigress to breathe in short sharp breaths, her ears ringing as she watched the other Five masters come running out of the Jade Palace barracks. "Tigress?! Tigress?! Are you alright!?" Their shouts muffled beneath the incessant ringing. Just as her lungs felt like rupturing the tiger managed let out a cough.
Propping herself back on her knees the tiger felt the familiar cold grip of her friend. "I think we'll save the training for later Tigress. Are you alright?" Viper's warm reassuring smile made the tiger feel a little less uncomfortable. "Jeez, ya think you could've taken it a little easier on the cut outs?!" Mantis's familiar curt voice cut through the haze. "That's enough Mantis, can you guy's give us a little time alone please?" Crane and Monkey looked on worried about their comrade. "She'll be alright, trust me." "Sure thing Viper, just give us a holler if you need anything." Monkey answered as the three other masters returned to the barracks. "Look at what I did…I'm…I'm a monster." Tigress mentioned toward the mangled remains of the only cut out left standing. "You're not a monster Tigress. You're a strong willful kung fu master, and I'm happy to call you a friend." Viper gave Tigress a hug as tiger looked on at the destruction she'd wrought, unconvinced by her friend's words. "I-I don't understand..." "It's ok Tigress, you know what you need?" "W-what?" "A little R&R, why don't we go visit Po's dad? Oh and then we can have…" The snake backed up as if she were about to explode with excitement. "A GIRLS NIGHT OUT!" "Viper I don't think that's a good idea." "Nonsense we'll have a blast, plus it'll be good to take your mind off things!" "I guess so." Tigress wasn't one for celebrating let alone leaving the Jade Palace unless necessary. "Great, we'll even get you a new outfit!" Gulp "New clothes?" Great what have I gotten myself into?
The Ruby Palace Peking
The golden hall of heroes was bathed in the warm glow of torch light as four figures stood line abreast in the center atrium. The familiar clack from a walking cane echoed throughout the large hall as three ruby palace masters stood still in a military fashion. "I wish I could've called you all here under better circumstances my dear masters." Chancellor Zhun appeared from the shadows, his spectacles glowing from the torches. "But I fear the matter is most urgent and a horrible one at that." The flying fox looked back as his trusty assistant Déshèng stumbled into sight clutching a large stack of manuscripts. "Sorry chancellor." The Ibex apologized as he fumbled through the papers handing a scroll to each of the masters.
"These are the mongrels that killed Yuey?" A large Eurasian brown bear looked up from the scroll. "I'm afraid so Master Weizhe." The bear balled his fists in anger as his nearby comrade placed her wing on his shoulder. "Easy big fella we need to keep our cool against these guy's" "Right you are Master Hui-ying." The Eurasian Eagle Owl looked toward the feeble flying fox. "Chancellor Zhun are you sure there are only five of them?" "Yes our intelligence points to that. They're believed to have no known allies." "Heh no problem we'll make short work of these Shadow guy's." A nearby grey wolf punched his open paw itching for the incoming battle. "Don't underestimate them Nianzu! These guys did take out Yuey and those anvil of heaven rhinos." "Ahem!" The owl looked back at the flying fox. "Sorry chancellor, please continue."
"As I was saying there are only five of these terrorists, but be warned we have reason to believe they are well versed in the art of Kung Fu. From our latest intelligence reports their next target is believed to be the Garnet Palace." The bear looked surprised. "The Garnet Palace but why there?!" "They're believed to be collecting mystical artifacts, pieces to a weapon which if completed could destroy this very country we so cherish." Hui-ying realized what these vile creatures were planning. "You don't mean?" "Yes the moon stone, a sacred rock endowed with incredible mystical powers." "Ha those fairy tales don't scare us chancellor Zhun." Nianzu scoffed at the others superstition. "You'd be wise not to underestimate the power of such fairy tales Master Nianzu." Zhun looked toward the wolf displeased by his brazen attitude. "You will proceed to meet them at the Garnet Palace. Failure is not an option. Show no mercy, protect our homeland and emperor!" The three masters bowed in unison. "Yes Sir!"
Thanks for reading!
-J.G.