Many years have passed, the Furious five gained in fame and their renown is no longer to be proven. China has seen the rise of the Dragon Warrior, the return of Tai-Lung, the fallen warrior. She has experienced the rise of the Shen peacock as well as its fall and obviously the reincarnation of General Kai and his return to the Spirit Realm through the heroic actions of the dragon warrior and the five... their bravery having spread throughout China.
It have been ten years to be precise since Kael and Tigress parted ways and twelve years since Kael just vanished from the surface of China. No rumors, no mentions, no appearance. Nothing can prove that this tiger exists, he has literally vanished. After their break up, Tigress close herself from everyone and everything she became a cold hearted warrior on the outside, not showing any emotions she is still caring for her comrades and friends but she still keep a small distance between them and she has Shifu to takes for that.
It was not until the arrival of the Dragon Warrior that the tensions and coldness of the Jade Palace melted for everyone, even for Tigress and Shifu. Shifu becomes less strict and stern, tigress, she opened up a little more to the others, her past self returning to the surface of her being. One day, her and Shifu had a big conversation and for the firsttime this was a conversation father-daughter and not a master-student, they were still acting professional during training and in mission but otherwise their relation healed and it was during this discussion that Shifu apologized for a lot of thing and a lot of his mistake: the way he treat her as a student more than a daughter, that he didn't show her any love and attention fearing the fact that he could create another Tai-Lung and the case of Kael came to the topic
«…and i want to apologize as well for destroying your relationship with your one and only love, my daughter» Tigress was taken aback by this, not expecting that he was going to get to that topic, she thought that he just forgot about that but he didn't, it was eating him actually «you were happy with him and he seemed to be a great person and i took that away from you» he says
Even under all her armor that she built around her heart, she didn't forget about him, he was everything a female could want in a male: gentle, patient, loving, protective but not possessive and she cold continue like that for hours… she didn't forget him but he cold self was still somewhere in her trying to shield her from anymore pain from something like that «I forgive you, Baba but you were right: relationship are a distraction» she says trying to protected herself but Shifu was not letting her go that easily
«No! no Tigress. They are not a distraction. I was wrong to tell you that, it was only my fear that made me do that» The feline looks at him confused, he sighs «i feared that if something happened between you two, you will turn into something like Tai-lung» he says while looking down in shame « when you think about it, it is quite incoherent since forcing you to break with him you have still hurt and force you to close yourself.»
The tiger didn't really know what to say at that so the tiny master continu «Knows, that all i want right now is your happiness Tigress and knows that if you choose to love someone again knows that i will there to support you» he concluded
During the past few years, many suitors tried to have her as their mate but these male onl wanted her for her reputation or just her look and of course first she didn't was into this sort of thing and secondly she didn't find them wordy of her, again the only one who was (and maybe is) him…Kael. He loved her for her, for everything, he didn't care about her flaws he was there anyways, he just knew when to be there and when he didn't have to, he respected her and her space and he didn't cross any boundaries and never forced her to do anything she didn't want to do: one day she thoughts about the fact to give herself to him but in fact she didn't think she really ready for it, she wanted to make him happy, to please him but she should have know better. 'She laughs a bit at the thought' he just saw right through her and stop her. At first she was thinking he didn't want her but it was totally the opposite he just want her to be ready and not forced anything
«do you really want to do that» Kael asks her
«What do you mean» a young Tigress asks her male
«do you want to do that? do you REALLY want to do that with me?»
The female tiger looks down and says «yes» but Kael was not having it
«Tigress, look at me» the feline looks back up «are you sure?»
«i-i…i don't know» she finally admitted
«Tigress, you don't have to do anything you don't want to» the male says
«But i want, i'm just…..i think i'm just not ready…yet» she explained fearing he was disappointed but it was the contrary
«if you are not ready then we wait! there is no rush and it is something you do when you are ready» he says
«but will you not be sad? Don't you want to do it with me?»
«yes, but Tigress i'm willing to wait for you. I love you and i will never force you into doing something you are not ready to do, all i want is your happiness and you know that» he finish and smile at her. Seeing her male not angry, she smiled and hugged him.
Tigress was taken off her memories by her fathr «Tigress did you hear me?»
«Sorry master, i was lost in my mind. What did you ask me?»
«No need for apologize! i asked you what was his name?»
«Kael…why are asking me this, mast- father»
«just curious»
Their conversation continues on other topics but they were interupted by Zheng who burst into the kitchen of the barracks where Shifu and Tigress were talking
«Master Shifu! Master Shifu! it is horrible»
«What is Zheng? what happened?» the red panda asks while standing up from his seat. Tigress doing aswell and kneeling beside the palace servant
«A group of badits! They knock out the guards and they stole artefacts from the Hall of Heroes!»
Tigress's and Shifu's eyes widened and narrowed quickly «Tigress go get the others and meet in the Hall»
«Yes master!» she ran on all four searching for her comrades while Shifu ran toward the Hall of Heroes. He arrives first and and notes the damage ... or rather the evidence because as surprising as it may seem the Hall is in perfect condition no break. The hall appears to be untouched except that some artifacts are effectively missing: the Sword of Heroes, the Dagger of Deng Wa, the Sacred War Hammer of Lei Lang and Master Pangolin's Indestructible Chain Hammer. Only mythic weapons have been stolen.
The students arrives as well in the start to search for evidence too, checking all the artefacts.
Po gasped when he saw an empty présenter «NNoooo they stole the Invisible Trident of Destiny too!»
Mantis jumped on his right shoulder «how do you know? we can't see it»
Everyone looks a the both of them especially Po «uuummmm» he slowly reaches his arm towards the presenter and his paw finally touches something, the trident. The bug and the panda let go of the breath they were holding. «ppfffiioouuu, it's alright guys, the trident is still there» he says with his usual goofy smile, the rest rolled their eyes and continue the research. Only legendary weapons have been stolen, the rest is still there and was untouched.
«we have to go and bring the artefacts her and bring the bandits down» The tiger master says matter of factly
«Yes but you will not go» Shifu says making everyone looks at him
«how can we go and bring the artefacts if we don't go and don't bring the artefacts» The Dragon Warriors asks without really thinking…as usual.
«Po, you will not go because we have to do with professionals: you have to be very clever or crazy to steal artifacts from the Jade Palace especially without being spotted. and steal only weapons and not other things prove that there's a bigger thing behind, a more dangerous thing.
«What are you thinking about, master?» Viper asks the red panda
«i don't know but this group has experience, there is no trace of their passage here except for the theft. No patch of fur on the ground, no trace of paws, nothing. I will hired a expert to hunt the thieft down and bring back the artefacts.» he says.
«who are you thinkin about?» Monkey asks, his brother is a thief so he knows about a little bit about this world of theft, bounty hunter and mercenary.
«i heard stories about a bounty hunter, rumors about a mysterious mercenary who didn't failed any of his contracts and the Masters council has already call him for some missions and are very satisfied with his work.
Somewhere in china, a few days later
A mysterious animal was walking in a village towards a tavern-hotel were he usually stays. You can clearly see that this man was a feline but you can tell his species: he wore a dark suit covering all his body even his tail. He wears a helmet covering his face, not even his eyes were visible. He has gauntlets where dagger were waiting in his forearm ready to be taken and use and he wears a black scarfs aroud his neck, the tip of it flew in the wind and a black backpack.
He enters the tavern, everybody in there stop what they were doing and looks at the new one in the bar with them and quickly return to their business. The bounty hunter arrives in front of a scroll reception box where he collects his contracts most of the time. next to it, another box where he indicates whether he accepts the work or not.
A scroll was waiting for him, he took it and put it in his backpack and continue toward his room. He enters and drops his stuff and took out the scroll and reads it:
Iron Shadow,
The Jade Palace was a victim of a serious crime. A bold hand has stolen priceless artifacts, legendary weapons sheltered in the Hall of Heroes. These treasures are not only relics of power, but symbols of the history and values we stand for.
We have heard about your exceptional talent and impeccable reputation. Your discretion, precision and efficiency are the qualities required for this mission. I am writing to ask for your help in recovering these weapons. Evil in the wrong hands could wreak havoc across the valley, and beyond.
Your reward will be generous, and your name will be honored, although we understand your preference for anonymity. If you accept this mission, we will wait for you at the Jade Palace to provide more details on the circumstances of this flight.
Time is precious, and every moment lost brings these weapons closer to their malicious use. We are confident that you will not let this challenge slip away.
Looking forward to your reply,
Master Shifu
The bounty hunter, The Iron Shadow, took another scroll and writes his response, accepting the mission despite the fact that it will probably stir up the past.