The long-awaited chapter 14 is finally here! I hope you guys are enjoying the story so far, and don't worry—I definitely won't forget about this story. Also I've noticed that fanfiction has incorporated an AI to help with grammar and sentence structure and I gotta say I'm very impressed! I'm using this along with Grammarly so hopefully this chapter is descriptive and readable for you guys. Anyway, it seems hope has been reignited in the hearts of our heroes as they finally found some of their missing comrades, however three more remain. Will Po and the others be able to catch up to Jian and foil his evil plans, or is the fate of the remaining three already sealed? The future is indeed ominous, but keep reading to find out more! Without further delay, the rest of the story.
A steady rush of wind played with the dry dust beneath the warrior's feet, slightly distorting the path before them. The masters had all been on the road for a long time, exhaustion was setting in, but their only comfort was the evening air - it felt cool and crisp as it blew through their fur. While they were walking, the sun began to set behind the mountainous horizon, painting the skyline a deep orange mixed with violet and hints of red along the remaining clouds. As daylight continued to fade, the masters came to a rough, rocky ridge that concealed a small cave in the center. Po observed the cave from a distance, thinking it might make a good shelter for the night. The panda nudged his friend's arm, and the tiger-style master looked up from the map in her paw. The tiger nodded with a small smile as the cave seemed to be the best concealment from both the elements or any nearby bandits.
"You're very observant, Dragon Warrior. This would be an excellent place for all of us to rest for the night." Tigress said, sliding the map into her waistband.
The panda smiled, "Awesome! Well, I learned from the best." Po said fondly before he ran into the cave to remove his pack, which had grown quite heavy from their journey.
Tigress simply shook her head in amusement before Monkey, eager to explore the cave himself, bolted behind the panda. "Finally, a place to sleep without being chained to those two freaky mercenaries!"
Crane sighed and walked towards some plantation and fallen timber that surrounded the entrance of the rocky cave. "I guess I'll gather some kindling to make a fire - it's going to be a cold night."
"Indeed it will be - I can feel it." Tigress stated as she then walked towards Po, who was laying out his mat and blanket to sleep.
"Are you hungry, Po?" The feline asked, already knowing the answer; she placed her mat on the ground and began to unpack her bag.
The panda master nodded eagerly, his stomach growling softly. "You bet I am! I feel like I haven't eaten in several days." The panda groaned dramatically.
Tigress chuckled, rolled her eyes some before handing the panda a bowl of dumplings and two fish that she had saved from the day before. Po took the food happily and began to dig in, savoring the taste of the sticky dumplings.
"Thanks, Ti. You truly are awesome!" Po said warmly as the dumplings quickly began to disappear.
Tigress smiled at his unique compliment before her facial expression changed. "You're very welcome, Dragon Warrior - it's the least I could do to thank you for saving my life." The tiger master said solemnly, remembering the day she almost bled out.
Po then stopped eating, set his food to the side and looked into her amber eyes with a serious expression. "There is nothing I wouldn't do to save and protect the ones I care about. I thought I lost you back there and it scared me. I'd do it again without a second thought."
The tiger master's tense expression softened slightly at his kind words. "I know you would, but you didn't lose me - like you, I'm not that easy to kill." Tigress stated with a knowing smile to which the panda returned before she pulled out a familiar, wooden game board.
Po's eyes lit up with excitement. "Oooh you actually still have our chess game?"
"Yes, I managed to keep it - despite getting attacked by those bandits, nothing was broken somehow." The tiger said and then began to set up the individual pieces.
As the two valiant warriors geared up to indulge in their newfound favorite game, Crane took charge of gathering a substantial pile of twigs and branches to stoke up a lively fire. Monkey joined in and dug a small pit in the parched soil to accommodate the fire. The laborious task was further complicated by the rocky terrain. But, the duo persevered, and soon, Monkey produced two gleaming pieces of flint. With their combined efforts, the fire was kindled, and within no time, the flames shot up, providing the warriors with a much-needed source of warmth. The cave was bathed in a soft orange and red glow as the flames flickered and danced along the dry wood.
The sound of crackling wood echoed through the cave, creating a comforting ambiance. As the fire grew stronger, the cave was illuminated with a warm and inviting hue. After a few minutes, the duo's attention turned to cooking their fish, which they had caught earlier in the day. They carefully laid the fish over the glowing coals, turning them occasionally to avoid burning the meat. The aroma of the sizzling fish wafted through the air, making their stomachs grumble in anticipation.
"I told you bringing these 'useless rocks' was a good idea, Crane!"
"I stand corrected. But do you have to rub it in? I know I'm not very well rehearsed in the topic of survival."
"Yes I do! Besides we made a bet - so pay up!"
The avian groaned in defeat, "Fine, you win."
Crane then proceeded to hand the primate a cookie that he had saved, and Monkey took it eagerly. "One day you will listen to me, my friend." Monkey said teasingly before consuming the tasty treat.
"Maybe. And that was the last cookie."
The primate then burst into a hearty laugh, savoring his victory, and Po simply shook his head, observing their banter from over his feline friends' shoulders. The tiger master cleared her throat to regain the panda's attention, signaling that the game was finally set up. Po then swiftly turned his head back towards the striped feline in front of him, noticing that she had placed her chess pieces in order.
"Are you ready to lose again, Po?" Tigress smirked.
"Not this time, Ti. I think I have a new strategy figured out to finally beat you!"
"Really? We'll see, Dragon Warrior if your luck has improved."
The area surrounding their shelter was alive with the sounds of nature as the two warriors, Tigress and Po, sat across from each other, their eyes fixed on the chess board before them. The fire pit crackled and popped as the flames slowly dwindled, casting long shadows across the clearing. Crane and Monkey had finished eating their fish and already drifted off to sleep, leaving Tigress and Po to battle it out with their strategic minds. The chess pieces moved with grace and precision as the two masters contemplated each move, their faces etched with concentration. Tigress had the upper hand, having captured most of Po's pieces, leaving him with only a knight to defend his king. Po was running out of options and time was running out.
In a moment of desperation, Po made a hasty decision to take out Tigress's rook with his knight, hoping to turn the tide in his favor. But it was a naive mistake, as Tigress quickly countered by moving her own knight within striking distance of Po's king. The tension in the air was palpable as the two warriors locked eyes, waiting to see who would emerge victorious in this battle of wits.
"That was unwise, Dragon Warrior. Checkmate." Tigress said, her amber eyes glowing in the flickering remains of the light.
The panda master groaned in defeat. "Aw man! How are you so good at this?"
"Practice. Don't sell yourself short - you lasted longer than I expected."
"Thanks, Ti. I guess I have a lot to learn then."
"You'll figure it out. Maybe." The tiger teased, rising to her feet and stretching before beginning to put the game board away with all its pieces.
"We should get some rest, Po. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow."
Po nodded wearily, yawned, and laid down on his mat. "Yeah you're right. Do you know how far away we are from Nanjing?" The panda inquired.
"According to the map, we're no more than a few hours' walk outside the city." Tigress replied as she dusted off her jade-green quīpao before lying down on her respective sleeping mat.
"Sounds like we're making progress! Well, anyway thanks for playing with me, Ti - I needed that."
"Of course. Good night, Po."
"Sweet dreams, Ti." Po whispered with a sleepy smile before the two warriors gave into a peaceful sleep.
Meanwhile, just outside the royal city of Nanjing, Jian and his battalion of soldiers stood atop a cliff, observing the inhabitants with interest. Red and black lightning began to crackle and zoom around Jian's body as his dark Chi surged with fierce intensity. Some distance behind them, the old grandmaster Shifu lay weakly in an iron cart, his figure emaciated and his head severely bruised from the beating Jian had given him days earlier. The red panda tried to stand, seeing the horrifying sight, but to no avail as he fell to his knees once more.
"You won't get away with this!" Shifu spoke up, quite weakly to the dark assassin. "Torture me all you want but you will never take the master's power - the Dragon Warrior will stop you -" the grandmaster was saying before he was cut off as Jian turned around and closed the gap between them in less than a second.
The mercenary's voice was low and menacing as he commanded silence. The red lightning crackled around the reptile's cloak, intensifying with each passing moment. With a determined look in his eyes, he spoke with unflinching conviction, "Nothing and no one will stop me from executing my plan. China will fall by my hand! Your Dragon Warrior is nothing but a joke and a foolish opponent who poses no threat to me. I will cut him down before he even lifts a finger. Your hope is in vain, Shifu." As the Grandmaster slumped to the floor in defeat, Jian's words hung in the air like a heavy cloud, a chilling reminder of the merciless ambition that drove him.
"Speak again and I will remove your tongue."
As soon as Jian finished speaking, he turned around and ran back towards his battalion of dark soldiers at an incredible speed as his body was covered in red lightning. The mercenary then turned to one of the elites and conversed with him in a foreign language. He nodded in agreement and left the others behind at the cliff. The army began its ascent up the mountain, and the ground trembled beneath them due to their sheer numbers.
The fierce legion of soldiers wore armor that was a mix of black and silver, similar to that of the elites. However, the only visible feature on their faces were their coal-black eyes. The soldiers' expressions were unreadable, and they marched with a sense of purpose and determination. A wicked grin appeared on Jian's face as his plan was finally set in motion. The scene was one of impending doom, as the legion of soldiers slowly made their way up the mountain, ready to unleash whatever horrors they had in store.
"Citizens of Nanjing and Emperor Cheng, does royalty such as yourself ever experience fear? You have no idea what's about to begin!"
The following morning, the sun rose just above the horizon, turning the clouds a deep violet and pink with hints of amber as its rays shone through the clouds. The cave where the warriors rested illuminated with the morning light, and suddenly the striped feline's eyes flickered open as her amber pupils were greeted by the warm sunlight. The tiger then swiftly rose to her feet to prepare for the rest of their journey and awaken her comrades - namely Po who was still sleeping peacefully in the adjacent mat.
"Po, wake up! We need to get going soon." Tigress said firmly as she gently shook her panda friend with her paw.
The panda groaned wearily as he awoke and turned over to face his friend. "Morning already, Ti? Alright, I'm up."
"Good. We have a long and dangerous road ahead of us, and a few others are still missing." The tiger stated as she straightened her jade-green quīpao and put on her supply pack.
"Yeah, you're right. Hopefully Viper, Mantis, and Shifu are okay. Do you think we're any closer to finding Jian's army?" Po inquired and rose to his feet as Crane and Monkey began to stir from their slumber.
Tigress nodded and placed the map in her waistband. "We're getting closer, but I'm afraid Jian himself may be the one who has Shifu captive." The feline replied as Monkey and Crane approached the pair.
"It makes sense. He knows to keep us separated because when we're together, we're harder to beat as a team." Monkey added, putting on his pack.
"You know that's right! We just have to get to Jian and his army in order to rescue the others." Po said with excitedly.
"Actually, I think I know where Mantis and Viper are being held. They're not with Shifu." Crane stated matter-of-factly as he placed his rice hat on top of his head.
"Really? How do you know for sure?" Tigress inquired, raising a brow.
"When Monkey and I were first captured, I overheard some of those assassins talking about it in their native tongue. It was in Arabic, a language I am fluent in, and from what I've heard they're being held ten miles east of Wuhu province, which is where we are now." Crane said to which the others were dumbfounded at this newfound knowledge.
Tigress recovered from the shocking news and pulled out her map to check their location. "Excellent work, Crane. Your language studies have proved useful." Tigress replied as the masters began walking out of the rocky cave towards the dust and rock-ridden road to find their missing friends.
The panda was walking alongside the striped feline while she held the map in her paws. Although Tigress didn't seem to be uncomfortable with Po's close proximity, she noticed that something was bothering him. Po tried to conceal it, but his body language and facial expressions gave him away, telling her everything she needed to know.
"What's wrong, Po?" Tigress inquired as she looked into his jade-green eyes.
"Nothing." Po replied, avoiding her gaze but the tiger saw straight through his words.
"We have been best friends for quite some time. I know you better than that. Something seems to be bothering you, Dragon Warrior. You can tell me about it," Tigress insisted, giving him the look that urged him to share the truth.
The panda let out a sigh of defeat and turned his head to face Tigress's fiery amber eyes. It felt as if her eyes were peering into his soul, and he knew he couldn't lie to her or keep anything hidden for long.
"Okay, you win," Po said, as he looked into her golden eyes. "It's about this weird dream I had last night. It keeps playing over and over in my mind, and I don't know why."
Tigress then folded the map and slid it back into her waistband. "Oh, I see. What was it about?"
"My mother, for some reason." Po replied, looking away with a facial expression that was very conflicted.
"You never talk about your mother, Po." Tigress said, surprised to notice the distraught and serious tone in his voice.
"I know, Ti. It's not easy for me to talk about her and I've never discussed this with anyone except you just now." The panda said soulfully, returning his gaze back towards the tiger.
"I understand - believe me I do. What happened to her?" Tigress inquired, as sympathetically as she could manage.
"I'm not sure, Tigress neither is my dad, but in my dream, I kept seeing her face over and over again, along with Shen, and these red streaks of lightning running in the background like a blur. I could hear her voice telling me to carry on and find the man in the lightning. Ugh, I don't understand what any of this means." Po finished with traces of hurt and frustration in his voice.
Tigress was caught off guard as she noticed the panda's emotions in such turmoil. His face was etched with a deep-seated pain, and it was clear that the subject at hand was a sensitive one for Po. She paused for a moment to collect her thoughts before speaking, contemplating how best to offer comfort. With a gentle and reassuring touch, Tigress placed her paw on his shoulder, feeling the tension in his muscles begin to subside. She spoke to him in a soft and soothing tone, hoping to alleviate his distress and bring him some measure of peace.
"I can see that this dream is causing you distress, Po. I want you to know that I am here for you, but you should also understand that dreams often hold significant meanings. While I cannot give you a definitive interpretation of your dream, it appears that your mother, Shen, and the man in the lightning are all interrelated in your past," Tigress said, speaking softly as she hated seeing him so upset.
The panda turned his head to face her and looked into her eyes. He was slightly relieved that he was able to unburden himself with the one he trusted the most. "Yeah, I think you're right. The man in the lightning is probably Jian, but what happened to my mother is still a mystery."
"It looks like we'll have to solve this mystery together once we stop Jian."
The tiger-style master, knowing what to do, reached into her pack and gave the panda the last bowl of dumplings which he happily accepted. Po smiled at the female tiger warmly before digging into the delicious food. Tigress returned his smile with a smile of her own before the panda spoke up once more.
"Thank you, Tigress. This means a lot to me."
"Anytime. What are friends for?" Tigress said, before playfully punching his arm.
"Oww!" Po yelped but then chuckled at her antics, completely forgetting why he was upset.
"And there's the panda I know." Tigress thought to her self, elated to see Po's usual self returning.
The four masters continued their journey towards their two companions, following a narrow and dusty path that seemed to stretch endlessly towards the horizon. As they walked, the cool and refreshing breeze of the morning gradually gave way to a muggy and humid atmosphere, dampening their clothes and making them crave any source of water. Alas, the masters' water supply had been exhausted long ago, leaving them no choice but to endure the relentless heat and thirst. With each passing moment, the burden of dehydration took its toll on their bodies, sapping their energy and slowing their pace.
"Is there any water source nearby, Tigress?" Po inquired, panting slightly from the heat and lack of fluids.
"Please say yes. I don't think I can take this anymore." Monkey added, as the primates cheeks were quite flushed from the heat.
The female tiger, looking up from the map in her paw, nodded, feeling parched herself. "There's a small river of fresh water just over that hill we're approaching."
"That's awesome, but I don't think I'll make it - it's too far." Po heaved dramatically before falling to the ground. "Crane, you might have to fly me there, ugh!"
"Not gonna happen."
Tigress simply shook her head in amusement. "Don't be ridiculous. It's not that far - we're almost there now, Po."
"Okay, I'll keep trying." Po said, catching his breath while holding up his paw.
The female tiger took his paw and swiftly lifted the panda to his feet again. Tigress was accustomed to his dramatic and eccentric nature by now, but she also understood that there was no time to waste.
"Excellent. We don't have much time to lose, so once we replenish our water supplies, we'll be closer to finding the others." Tigress stated in her usual confident manner.
The exhausted panda gave a weary nod as the four martial arts masters continued their arduous trek towards the life-giving stream of freshwater they so desperately needed. After what seemed like an eternity, they finally came upon a small but sturdy river with incredibly clean, crystal-clear water flowing between banks of soft sand and smooth pebbles. As they approached the river, the group breathed a collective sigh of relief, but their moment of respite was short-lived as the masters quickly noticed something strange in the sand. Curious, Tigress carefully examined the markings in the ground, which revealed three sets of footprints and evidence of a cart being pulled through the loose soil. Despite their fatigue, the masters remained alert and vigilant, knowing that danger could be lurking around any corner.
"Do you think it's them, Ti?" Po inquired curiously as he joined his comrade by kneeling next to her.
The female tiger was about to speak but paused mid-sentence, her attention suddenly caught by a glimmering object partially submerged in the sand. She crouched down to investigate and carefully pulled it out, revealing a black steel dagger. The weapon's sleek design and sharp edges hinted at its deadly intent, and the tiger couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding. As she turned it over in her paw, she realized that it was the same type of dagger that the elites used to eliminate themselves back in the valley of peace.
"Is that what I think it is?"
Tigress held the black steel dagger in her hand, examining it closely. With a confident tone, she said, "Yes, this dagger belonged to one of those elite assassins. We must be getting close." She inspected the blade carefully, noting its sharpness and the precision of its craftsmanship. As she looked around, she noticed tracks on the ground and added, "Judging by the condition of the blade and these tracks, they're not far." She slid the dagger into her waistband, ready to continue the pursuit.
"Awesome! I'll follow your lead." Po said excitedly as this was their first clue in a long time.
The female tiger nodded with determination, as if acknowledging the urgency of their mission. She gestured towards the tracks, which were imprinted on the ground with great clarity, providing a clear trail to locate the elite assassins responsible for capturing their friends. The four masters, their hearts filled with a mixture of hope and courage, followed the markings with unwavering focus, knowing that they were heading towards a dangerous and uncertain destination. As they traversed through the rugged terrain, they could feel the weight of the mountainous landscape bearing down on them. The lush and dense bamboo forest that surrounded them seemed to stretch endlessly into the distance, creating an eerie yet tranquil ambiance that only added to their sense of unease.
After an hour of following the trail, the group arrived at the foot of the mountain, which stood tall and imposing before them. The tracks seemed to lead them towards the mountain, and the masters knew that they would have to ascend it if they wanted to find their friends and bring the assassins to justice. As they prepared to climb, the sense of danger that surrounded them only grew stronger, but they knew that they had come too far to turn back now.
As the masters trekked up the mountain, they encountered minimal difficulty despite the daunting task at hand. Tigress, always vigilant, scanned their surroundings with a keen eye, searching for any signs of their friends or their dangerous captors. Ahead of them, at the entrance of a dark cavern carved into the mountain's peak, Tigress spotted a rusty iron cage with a small slit at the top. Through the slit, she could see the silhouette of a slender, green figure inside. The figure was gagged and repeatedly banging against the cage in a desperate attempt to escape, but to no avail. The masters immediately recognized their friends, Viper and Mantis, who were bound in their iron prison. However, Tigress was suspicious of the absence of the elite assassins guarding the metal cage. Po suppressed the urge to alert his friends to their presence, knowing that danger could arise at any moment. Suddenly, without warning, a small black steel kunai was hurled with laser precision towards the tiger master's head. Reacting with lightning speed, Tigress caught the kunai and deftly traced its trajectory back to its origin.
"Looks like we found them." Tigress stated simply tossing the weapon to the side.
As they emerged from the darkness of the cave, three ominous figures shrouded in black robes and plated armor came into view. Their expert camouflage had concealed them from sight until now. The sight of these deadly assassins sent a shiver down Po's spine, and his companions felt the same sense of dread and fear. One of the elites stepped forward, and with a swift movement, removed his hood and the wrap covering his face, revealing a male grey snow leopard.
The snow leopard's voice dripped with malice and venom as he spoke, "la yanbaghi 'an tat." His piercing gaze seemed to bore into the very soul of the listener, leaving an eerie silence in the air.
Crane quickly regained his composure and translated the assassin's warning. "He said, 'You shouldn't have come here.' I have a feeling we're in for a serious fight soon."
"Thank you, Crane." Tigress said as Po came to her side, a worried look plastered on his face. "This won't be easy but I think we can defeat them." The tiger stated confidently.
Po's voice was filled with anxiety and concern as he spoke up. "Are you sure about this, Tigress? I still remember the last time we faced these elites - it was a grueling battle and we barely managed to take down one of them. And on top of that, you got hurt really bad, I just don't want to risk losing you again." He cared about her deeply and this was evident by the tone in which he spoke. The panda couldn't get the image of her lying on the ground, soaked in blood out of his mind.
Po's words had a profound impact on the female tiger, and a small smile crept across her face. As she listened intently, she could sense the genuine worry and concern in his voice. Taking a moment to carefully consider her response, Tigress met his gaze with a reassuring look that conveyed a sense of calm and confidence.
"I appreciate your concern for me, Dragon Warrior but as I've said before you won't lose me. Besides we have backup now: Crane and Monkey. If we fight as a team we can defeat them, as long as we stick together, alright?" Tigress said knowingly as her characteristic confidence seemed to ease the panda's worry.
With a burst of confidence and renewed hope, Po stepped forward to confront the snow leopard and exclaimed, "Okay then - let's do this!" As he spoke, his tone became more serious and commanding. He demanded to know the identity of the snow leopard and the reason behind his capture of their friends. "First of all, who are you and what do you want?"
With a swift move, the dark assassin withdrew two identical black daggers from his robe and gripped them tightly in each hand as he introduced himself. "I am Al'awal - the first. And the same thing every assassin wants: to terminate my objective!" His voice was laced with a menacing tone and carried a distinct Arabic accent as he spoke.
Po's reply was filled with unease as he addressed the assassin. "I'm afraid you won't be able to carry out your plan, Al'awal. As you can see, there are four of us present here, while you are outnumbered with only three on your side." Despite his attempt to sound confident, Po couldn't help feeling a sense of dread as he spoke those words.
As the snow leopard pulled his hood back over his head, he assumed an unusual fighting stance, and twirled the daggers in his fists so they facing inwards. The two dark assassins joined his side, ready for battle. Al'awal sneered, "So this is where you brought your friends to die? We may be outnumbered, but you are clearly outmatched!" His voice dripped with malice as the four masters took up their stances, preparing for what promised to be an intense and deadly fight against the elite assassins.
"We'll see about that." Tigress said with confidence as the elites slowly advanced towards them.
"Now!" Al'awal silently commanded, signaling his team to attack.
Within a split second, the two dark assassin's swung their curved black sabers at Monkey and Crane who narrowly evaded their deadly swings. The assassins only used one hand demonstrating their flawless skill with the weapon as they attacked viciously swiping the razor-sharp blade at their heads only to execute a spin and swing lower with the back of their blades to knock them off their feet. However, the two warriors, with their quick reflexes, evaded the maneuver just in time. Their razor-sharp blades then whizzed past the warriors' heads, only to spin once more and slash at their lower bodies. Monkey, being well acquainted with their methods of attack, parried their sword strikes with ease before delivering a swift side-kick to one of the assassins to assist his friend Crane.
Meanwhile, Tigress and Po fought with Al'awal, the master assassin, with all their might. Their movements were in perfect harmony as they blocked the swings of his twin daggers. However, as time passed, they began to lose the upper hand as Al'awal proved to be a difficult opponent. His unique combat style was unlike any they had ever faced before. Just as Tigress saw an opportunity to use her signature double palm strike, the assassin caught her off-guard by performing a swift three-sixty low spin kick, knocking both her and Po to the ground. As they fell, Al'awal swung his blades, slicing them both across the abdomen. The two warriors clutched their bleeding midsections, feeling waves of pain coursing through their bodies. The fight with these killers seemed more challenging than they had initially thought, but Tigress had an idea to gain the upper hand.
The tiger-style master groaned in pain as the two slowly backed away from the advancing assassin. "You okay, Po?" She asked feeling the pain from her wound.
"Yeah, ah!" Po groaned as he observed the crimson that began to stain his fur. "It's not deep but I'll live. How you holding up?"
Tigress spoke confidently, despite the wounds she had sustained. "I'm alright. But we've got to end this fight quickly, and for that, we all need to work together." The two warriors managed to pull themselves up, their eyes darting around the battlefield, taking in the scene. They could see their friends still locked in combat with the other two assassins, who moved with a supernatural speed and grace that was almost unsettling to watch.
Tigress, with her breaths labored and heavy, turned to her companion beside her and asked, "Do you remember the time when we fought against the army in the valley?" The two of them were now standing at the edge of the mountain, facing a shadowy assassin who seemed to be pushing them closer towards the dangerous drop.
In the midst of the intense situation, the panda gave a nod of recognition. Meanwhile, the two assassins facing off against Monkey and Crane had launched a synchronized kick, causing the two Kung Fu masters to slide across the rugged terrain and come to a stop near the edge, where Po and Tigress were standing. Despite the intensity of the fight, the four masters remained determined to gain the upper hand and bring the conflict to an end before any serious injuries occurred. As the three assassins slowly advanced towards the four, Tigress began to elaborate on her plan of attack.
"We can use this cliff to our advantage, just like we did in the valley of peace," Tigress explained as she scanned their surroundings attentively. "But before that, we need to create a distraction to gain the upper hand. Crane!" Tigress signaled the avian, to which he nodded in agreement.
The Crane style master's swift and effortless movement with his wings caused a gust of wind to kick up a thick cloud of dust, which momentarily obscured the vision of the three dark assassins standing in front of them. Sensing an opportunity, the four masters swiftly maneuvered behind their enemies, their movements coordinated and precise. However, the leader of the assassins, Al'awal, quickly regained his composure and turned around just in time to launch a surprise attack. He produced a sharp and menacing black steel kunai from his sleeve and hurled it toward the tiger master's chest with deadly accuracy.
The air crackled with tension as the kunai hurtled through the air, a deadly missile aimed straight at the unsuspecting female tiger. Time seemed to slow down as Po reacted in a split second, his reflexes honed from years of training. With a swift movement, he deflected the weapon, just barely missing its intended target. Tigress, who had been caught off guard, let out a small gasp of surprise. But as she saw her friend's swift action, she recovered, giving him a small smile of gratitude. The four masters, united in their purpose, now charged towards the remaining three assassins. Their movements were swift and coordinated, each one throwing a side kick with precision. The dark and shadowy assassins seemed to crumble under the onslaught, and with a final push, they were sent hurling off the edge of the mountain. The fight was over, and the masters stood victorious, their hearts still racing from the adrenaline rush.
"Woohoo!" Po exclaimed excitedly fist-pumping the air. "That was so awesome!"
Tigress tilted her head slightly, a small, amused smile playing at the corners of her mouth as she observed Po's reaction to their recent victory. Even in the midst of the most dire situations, Po always found a way to bring levity and ease the tension that was no doubt felt by all. The tiger couldn't help but admire this quality in him, and she recognized the powerful impact he had on their lives since he arrived. He had transformed their group of kung fu students into a true family, and Tigress had found herself opening up more and more in his presence. As a master of the hard style, she was known for her stoicism and reserve, but with Po around, she couldn't help but let her guard down. His kind-hearted nature and infectious spirit had made their missions not only bearable, but enjoyable, and this latest adventure was no exception.
"You're too much sometimes, Po." Tigress snickered placing her paws on her hips.
"I'm a panda, Tigress. I can't help being 'too much' ya know." Po stated gesturing toward his large belly.
As she looked at him, a fond and affectionate smile spread across her face, but it quickly faded as she realized that two of their companions were still trapped in an iron cage some distance away. "It's time to free Viper and Mantis. They've been locked up for far too long," she said, regaining her composure. Po nodded in agreement, and the group continued towards the cage, approaching its door with determination.
Monkey's voice echoed through the dimly lit room. "Don't worry guys, you're safe now!" he said, his eyes fixed on the door in front of him. With nimble fingers, he delicately studied the lock, his mind racing with ideas on how to break it open.
The primate's face contorted in confusion as he gazed at the lock that confined his friends. He scratched his head, trying to figure out how to break it open. Just then, Po appeared behind Monkey and gently placed a paw on his back, signaling that he had an idea.
"I got it, buddy! I know just how to remove the lock but I need concentration." Po suggested to which Monkey gave a nod allowing the panda some space to work on it.
The massive panda stood before the iron lock, a determined look on his face. He placed one of his paws over the lock and began to concentrate his chi, drawing in the energy from his life force within him. As he did so, a soft yellow glow began to emanate from his paw, bathing the area in a gentle light. For a few moments, the panda focused all of his energy into breaking the lock, his muscles tensing as he poured every ounce of his strength into the effort. Finally, with a resounding crack, the lock shattered into a thousand pieces, falling at his feet in a shower of metal shards. His friends, who had been trapped inside, were now free.
Monkey, who had been watching in shock, stepped back as the panda turned to face them. He had never seen Po use his chi in this manner before, and he couldn't help but feel a little awed by the display. Together, Monkey and Crane worked to remove the restraints from Viper and Mantis, carefully freeing them from their bonds. It took some time, but finally, they were all released from their captivity, safe and sound once more.
"Wow that was incredible, Po!" Viper complimented as she slithered out of the cell. "Thanks for the save we didn't think we would ever see you guys again."
"Yeah, what she said!" Mantis added as he leaped onto the panda's shoulder. "It's good to see you again big guy!"
Po glanced at the green snake and insect perched on his shoulder, concern etched on his face. "Anytime! It's good to see you guys too, believe me," he said before furrowing his brow. "But before we talk any further, can you please tell me if either of you are hurt?" He inspected them both for any signs of injury, determined to keep his companions safe.
Viper shook her head. "You mean, besides you and Tigress over there? Nah, we're okay," Viper stated as she noticed that Po and Tigress were both bleeding from their midsections.
As Viper spoke, the panda immediately turned to look at the female tiger who was walking behind them. He noticed that she was holding her stomach in discomfort. Meanwhile, Monkey and Crane caught up with the group, joining the other two masters who had just been freed. Po's expression was marked with worry as he approached the female tiger. Although her injury wasn't as severe as before, Po couldn't hide the concern in his jade-green eyes.
Before the panda could get a word out it was as if Tigress read his mind. "I know what you're thinking, Po." Tigress stated matter-of-factly. "Can you fix this please?"
"You know me so well - of course!"
With a look of determination on his face, Po gently placed his paw over the deep wound on Tigress's side. As he began to concentrate his chi, his paws and the wound started to glow a soft yellow. The panda closed his eyes and focused all his energies on the wound, sending his chi into the area. Slowly but surely, the laceration started to close up, repairing itself under the influence of the powerful healing energy. With every passing moment, the wound shrank and the skin began to heal, until it was completely sealed - as if it had never been there in the first place. The tiger let out a deep sigh of relief, feeling better than she had before, all thanks to her dearest friend.
"Thank you, Po. Your mastery of chi has grown quite impressively," Tigress warmly complimented Po, placing a paw on his shoulder, to which the panda smiled nervously.
"Thanks, Ti. It means the world to me hearing that from you."
The female tiger looked at Po with a fond, yet warm smile and the pair locked eyes for a moment. She could see the genuine care in his eyes and the panda found that he couldn't help but get lost in her fiery, amber eyes which seemed to tell him everything that her words could not. After what seemed like an eternity, Tigress realized what had occurred and she cleared her throat, breaking their gaze as her usual composure returned.
"That was strange - what was that about?" she questioned in her mind but decided to put the unusual thought to the side for now.
The feline shook her head to clear her thoughts before the two rejoined the rest of the Furious Five. The group had just been reunited after being captured and separated by the heartless mercenary, Jian. With their spirits high, the five examined the map of their destination - the capital city of Nanjing. They knew that the journey ahead of them would be challenging, and they were ready to face the fight of their lives. As they made their way down the mountain, their hearts filled with determination and hope, they couldn't help but feel a sense of danger looming over them. The city of Nanjing was just a few hours away, but they were all aware that they were facing a foe unlike any they had fought before. The masters knew that the crucible they were about to face would test them beyond measure, but they were ready to confront it head-on.
I'm back and I am so excited! After a little over two years, I have finally updated this story! I hope you are all enjoying it so far. I realize it's quite a long chapter, but I thought it would be best to make up for not updating sooner. However, I had to rewrite several parts of this story multiple times due to a bug in the AI for fanfiction. Whenever I saved my progress and left, upon returning, several paragraphs were gone. This has been frustrating, but I managed to work around it. Let me know if you guys are having this issue as well. Anyway, the Furious Five are finally reunited once again and are ready to take on China's biggest threat since the defeat of Kai! Will their combined efforts be enough, or does the supernatural villain have the upper hand? All will be revealed in time, so please stay tuned. Things are about to really heat up in this story, which I think will have everyone on the edge of their seats! Please leave your thoughts in the reviews below. Thanks for tuning in!
- Tipofan4life