Reasons why this took so long: This chapter was a bitch to write, School sucks, I had play rehearsal, our old computer broke, it took us awhile to get a new one, inspiration left me, etc.

I know those aren't very good reasons why this took so long, but it's what happened.

Anyway, To:

Amy: Right here!

Newguy100: First of all, thank you! I have never been so moved by a review. And I am really happy that you enjoyed the chapter that took me all day to write. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Sypro395: I am! I always have been! And thanks!

Alpha B. A. 7: Trust me, Batman is the least of Shā-Wēi's worries. And thank you!

Poupou02: Thanks!

I lied, Lion and Zìyóu will be back this chapter, but not again for a while after that. But, now we get to see some of the most awesome stuff invented. SUPER SWEET, CUTE, AND SOMEWHAT FLUFFY FAMILY/PARENT STUFF WITH THE MASTERS AND TIGRIA! Yay!

-About Two hours later, with the Royals, Masters, and Tigria-

Adorable.

There wasn't a better word to describe Tigria at that precise moment. She sat on the deck of the boat-now wearing a sapphire blue dress with a silver flower pattern sewn on, and ice blue Shaolin wrap around her waist, light brown boots, and a very warm looking white coat, hat and gloves- and was playing with her Li Mei, or her new doll. Occasionally, Princess Mei Li would sit down right next to her and bring some wooden figurines (Mainly bunnies, ducks, geese, or pigs) and the two would have a grand time playing.

Tigria had been treated to a warm bath, a luxury she wasn't even aware of existed, and it sickened that masters and royals to discover that it wasn't mainly dirt that covered Tigria's tiny body, it was bruises, welts, and scars she received from past beatings at the Hú-láng's inn.

But the child tigress didn't care. She was just happy to have a pretty dress, a brand new doll, and a new Bàba in one day. True, if Mei Li accidentally bumped her arm, Tigria would curl into a fetal position and wince, but Mei Li would then gently coax Tigria out of her fetal position and calm her down, and then the two would resume play.

Po watched this and felt his heart be warmed by this interaction. Not only was Tigria finally enjoying herself for the first time in he-didn't-know-how-long, but she and Mei Li were bonding rather quickly. "Those two will be friends for the rest of their lives" Po was certain of that.

"So," Monkey broke through the silence, directing his attention to Xi'an Po. "What exactly did you two see in Bùxiǔ de Xīwàng city?"

The prince frowned. He sighed and turned to the Masters, mentally thanking the gods that Mei Li was keeping Tigria distracted. "You all know about that panther right? The one with really dark fur and his completely crazy?"

"No, we know the panther with the pink fur who is very pleasant." Mantis said sarcastically. Which earned him a whack on the head, curtsey of Viper.

"Well, anyway, Mei Li, me, and a few of our guards were walking through the city this morning to gather supplies." Xi'an Po explained.

-Flashback, earlier this morning-

"There should be a supply store not too far from here, but I just don't know where." Xi'an Po said.

"It'd be easier to find the store if the streets weren't so crowded!" Mei Li grumbled. "Why is there so many people out in the town square this morning? Isn't it tradition that they spend time with family in the morning and then have the festival later on in the day?"

"Maybe Grandmaster Tai-Yang has some sort of announcement to make?" Xi'an Po suggested.

The royals walked on in silence for about another ten minutes. The only things that were said between the two were along the lines of "Is that the shop there?" "No, it's that one!" "I really think it's that one over there, or maybe that one over there!" or "Ugh, how populated is this city?!"

It wasn't until Mei Li felt some movement behind her and (thinking it was one of her guards) she turned. But she found it wasn't her guard. In fact, it was just a mother and her young child pushing past people to gather at the center of the town's square. She saw a panther who was about forty-one-years-old with fur as black as night, cold, unforgiving silver eyes, and a cruel sneer plastered onto his face. He was wearing silver pants, knee-length, black boots, and grey-blue jacket with gold buttons and ambulates on his shoulders and a black hat with a silver-and-red colored feather sticking out of one side standing on top of a little makeshift stage in front of the Marble Palace.

"Hey, Xi'an Po," Mei Li said, gaining the prince's attention. "Who's that?"

Xi'an Po glanced at where the princess was pointing. He shrugged. "He seems to be pretty high in power."

"My fellow citizens of Bùxiǔ de Xīwàng city," The panther began. The crowd immediately hushed. The two royals exchanged glances and moved forward in the crowd. "You may know me, you may not. I am now your leader. I am Shā-Wēi Xing. But all of you are to address me as Lord Shā-Wēi." The panther smirked maliciously.

Murmurs of confusion swept through the crowd. "What?" "Leader?" "Lord?" "What's going on?" "Would Tai-Yang approve of this?" "What about the Grandmaster?" "What about Tigria?"

Xi'an Po turned to Mei Li and mouthed "Do you know what's going on?"

She turned to him and shook her head before mouthing "I was hoping you did!"

The royals began to get an uneasy feeling in the pit of their stomach. Which only increased at what Shā-Wēi said next. "Now, I'm sure you all are wondering about what happened to your last... official." Shā-Wēi spoke the word official (An obvious reference to Tai-Yang) with loathe and disgust. "But I can assure you, the transition of Tai-Yang's power over to me went over very… peacefully." The panther had a disgustingly sweet smile on his face.

"Well yeah, it went over peacefully!" A young, male lion cub with brown fur, emerald green eyes, and a tuft of ebony color fur on top of his head, probably the start of his growing mane standing next to the royals shouted. He was wearing a navy blue shirt, a pine green jacket, light brown and cream striped pants, and dark brown boots.

"Because you killed Tai-Yang! You locked him up in that shack and left him there to die! You would've murdered him if he didn't die last night!" A jungle cat with tawny-grey fur and chocolate brown eyes shouted. He was wearing a white shirt, a blood-red vest with brass buttons, navy blue pants, and brown shoes shouted.

"Lion, stop." An elderly lion with brown fur, emerald green eyes, an ash colored mane wearing black pants, black boots, a white undershirt, a burgundy vest, a black top hat, and a dark grey coat scolded the younger lion.
"Zìyóu, please!" A female jungle cat wearing brown boots, a silver hat, a light blue dress, and a navy blue shawl scolded the younger jungle cat.

The crowd gasped at what Zìyóu had said, but Shā-Wēi had just smiled. "It delights me, really. The joyful innocence of two young boys. Honestly my people, you can't believe the wild, imaginative stories of two children can you?"

"Then what happened to Tai-Yang?" Someone shouted.

"Is he truly dead?" Another shouted.

Shā-Wēi's smile turned into a malicious grin. "Unfortunately my people, Tai-Yang is dead. But it had to be done. It were the Gods will."

"Gods will?" Mei Li whispered.

"I don't like where this is going…" Xi'an Po muttered.

"For you see, Tai-Yang was not who you thought. He was a man who misused the law. And men who misuse the law-" It was then that some boars walked up on stage, carrying a coffin of some sort. "Must be punished."

Shā-Wēi walked over to coffin and lifted the lid. "Look here, good people. And see, the one who wronged me-who wronged us. The lifeless, limp corpse of Grandmaster Tai-Yang Long. And witness, my people, what happens to those who disobey the law. My law."

What happened next, is what turned the city straight towards hell. Shā-Wēi nodded to his men, smiling wickedly all the way, and they hauled the corpse out of the coffin, tied a noose around it, strung it up and then dosed the body with some type of oil. Then they backed away off the stage. Handing Shā-Wēi a torch as he left. That was when the population of Bùxiǔ de Xīwàng City was able to see the depth of Shā-Wēi's madness.

For Shā-Wēi walked over to Tai-Yang's corpse and lit it aflame.

Various reactions swept through the crowd. All of them gasped, most screamed, some fainted, and a few squeamish ones even lost whatever it was they had for breakfast. After that, Shā-Wēi ordered everyone to get back to their homes or be arrested. Everybody scrambled to get out of there, Mei Li looked over-just as Xi'an Po grabbed her arm and started to drag her away- and she saw those two jungle cats and lions running away toward the richer section of the city. The woman and elder lion dragging the young boys-who were kicking and screaming every foul word they knew (which was limited) at Shā-Wēi.

-End of Flashback-

The masters stared on in awe at the royals. They knew that Shā-Wēi wasn't the most mentally stabled guys that ever existed, but they didn't know he was that deranged!

"My gods…" Crane breathed out.

"That little-" Thankfully, Tigress was able to stop herself before Tigria could hear what she really wanted to say.

"Māmā?" A little voice piped up from near Tigress's chair. The elder tiger's eyes widened as she glanced down. There stood little Tigria, looking up at the elder tiger in a confused way. Those big, sapphire eyes even wider now, if such a thing was even possible.

"Y-Yes? Tigria, what is it?" Tigress asked, still a bit shocked at what Tigria just called her.

"Are you ok? You seem angry." Tigria said quietly. Before adding: "Mrs. Hú-láng got angry a lot. Then she would hit me and then-and then she-then she-s-she-" Tigress could see Tigria was close to sobs, so she pulled her close.

"I know. But she'll never do that again. She'll never hurt you again. No one will. Ok?"

"Y-Yeah. Ok." Tigria sniffled before smiling up weakly at Tigress. "Could I have some more Bean Buns, please?"

"Of course." Viper smiled as she answered in Tigress's place. She used her tail to grab the little basket of bean buns and handed them to Tigria, who looked at the bean bun basket in shock.

"A tiny one, right?" Tigria whispered.

"You can have as many as you want, kid!" Mantis said happily.

"Yeah, go ahead and eat!" Monkey said.

It was as if the child had received the holiest gift from the gods. The child smiled as she skipped back over to play with Mei Li.

"She's a very adorable child." Xi'an Po smiled.

"Yes. Yes she is." Po smiled.

"So, can I ask you guys something?" The prince asked.

"Of course, you saved us back there. We owe you our very lives." Shifu said.

"Did Tai-Yang give you guys' permission to raise his daughter?"

"Well, he gave Po and Tigress permission." Croc answered. "They were the only ones with him when he died."

"But since those two live at the Jade Palace, we assume its ok for Tigria to be raised by them." Ox said.

"Did he specify that in his will?"

The master's blinked back surprise. "His will?" Shifu asked.

"Well, yes. You see, I've been brushing up on some of my law practice lately and I've learned something very interesting about the cases of childcare and that sort of thing that applies directly to masters of Kung Fu and their palaces." Xi'an Po explained.

Tigress nodded. "Go on…"

"Well you see, if a master and his wife-or mistress and husband, depending on the line of succession- have a child and the parents have passed on and no specific child caretaker is in the will, then the child may go to any masters if the Master's Council can agree upon it. So basically, you guys might not get complete custody of Tigria after all. It could go to anyone of the masters.

"Because let's face it, Tai-Yang was well known. And there for, so was Tigria. And since she is still alive, and if she is given the proper training and education, she could be ready within-say- a couple of decades-give or take a few years-to take back her family's birthright city. And any master would jump on the chance to say that they got to raise Tigria before she took back the city."

"So what you're saying is?" Shifu cringed.

"If you can't convince the Master's Council that the Jade Palace-or possibly the Palace of Gongmen City- is capable and worthy of raising Tigria, she could be sent to a different palace."

-About Four Months Later, in the Valley of Peace-

Winter had come and gone in the Valley of Peace. It had been no more significant than any of the winters that came before it except for the blizzard that had come the last two weeks of the season, therefore delaying the coming of the spring's sun and the warmth it had brought with it.

But, now that it was April, the sun had finally come out and brought the warmth and joy of spring with it. But, snow doesn't melt completely in one night. So, the Valley was covered in cold slush and dirty mud puddles.

But that did not stop the children of the Valley from seizing the opportunity to play in the first truly warm day of spring. Wearing only light coats and regular boots to protect themselves from the slush that still dotted the ground.

Tigria was one of these children. The past four months had treated her very well. Her body was no longer marred by all the bruises welts and scars that she had received from the Hú-láng's were all but gone now. After returning to the Palace, Shifu had summoned the best healer in all the Valley to see if she couldn't do anything for Tigria. Thankfully, with the right herbal medications concocted, the healer said that Tigria's scars and welts should disappear by the time of her fifth birthday in June.

But only time could heal the rest of her body. Because her body, while welts and scars fade away, the shocking stick-skinny figure Tigria had come across would take a while to go away. Due to rarely being fed-or not being fed at all- for days on end at the inn, her stomach and appetite had shrunk to being just barely able to choke down a small bowl of noodles or soup and one-third of bread. But, she was starting to fill out and her appetite was starting to grow.

But her mind was another story. The masters of the Jade Palace hadn't really thought of this when they took her away, but Tigria had been scared due to her time there. At times when Tigria was helping her adopted father and sometimes Zeng-if he was available-set the table for dinner (Shifu did not want Tigria to begin her Kung Fu Training until the Jade Palace had permission to raise her and until she weighed the same amount as of other children her age) she would sometimes drop the bowls and cause them to shatter.

And if either the panda or duck or both turned to see what happened, they would catch the same sight. Tigria backed away into a corner, holding out her arms to fend off some unknown attacker, eyes screwed shut and tears threating to spill out while she shouted "Please, Mrs. Hú-láng, do not hurt me! It was only an accident! I didn't mean for it to happen!" and the panda or duck or both would set down whatever it was they were doing to try and calm the girl down.

Or, sometimes after Tigria was in bed for two or three hours after being tucked in, Tigress, Monkey, Mantis, Viper, or Crane would be walking by the nursery (Where she would be staying until she was thirteen and was allowed to move into a room similar to her parental figures) to check on her while she slept, as any good parent or uncle or aunt would do. They would see her tucked under her blankets, clutching Li Mei tightly. And they wouldn't think anything of it until they started to close the door and Tigria would cry out in her sleep "Yes sir! Mr. Hú-láng, I am coming!" or "I'll be there in a moment, Mrs. Hú-láng!" and very rarely, but still on occasion. "Hang on, Taia, I'll be there soon! Just please don't tell Mrs. Hú-láng!" and they would watch in shock as Tigria-still in her sleep-would attempt to throw off her covers and climb out of bed in a hurry.

And either master that was there would burst into the room and gently awake her from her nightmare and then comfort her as she cried. And every master had a different technique on doing so. Monkey would pick up Li Mei and make her talk in a silly voice and do a funny little dance until Tigria would start to laugh, Crane would wrap her in the blanket she threw aside and tell her a bedtime story, Viper would rub tiny circles into her back and whisper soothing words until she had stopped crying, Mantis would climb on top of her head and stroke it until she had calmed down enough for her to listen to him tell her a funny story, and Tigress would sit her on the bed beside her and hold her close until she had stopped crying and tuck her into bed.

And even Shifu had seen a little account of these horrors. It had been when he awoke to ring the morning gong. He had walked out into the Hall of Warriors and was surprised to see Tigria polishing the floor. When he had called out to her, he was shocked to see her turn her back to him, wrap her arms around her head, and scream quickly "Please don't hurt me! I was only doing what you asked, Mrs. Hú-láng! Honest, I swear!" it had taken him a full hour (Thankfully Zeng said he would wake up the others today) to calm her down and explain to her that she didn't have to do chores like this again, and is she did, it was because of her own free will and not an order or it was time for everyone in the palace to pitch in and help the other servants,

Yes, the masters were surprised by the amount of suffering Tigria had endured, but they were not against comforting her at her weakest moments. Thus, was the pleasant and happy price of parenthood.

But today, Tigria was spending the day down in the Valley with Mr. Ping. Or, as she had taken to calling him, Yéye. She loved her visits to Yéye. He would show her how to cook the easiest bowl of noodles (but would still not let her turn on the stove), he would show her all the stuff her Bàba made when he was her age, and he would take it upon himself to feed her until she could eat no more. Which usually didn't take very long, but it was getting better.

The citizens of the Valley absolutely adored Tigria. They absolutely adored how she would carry there bowl of noodles ever so carefully and then tell them as sweetly as possible to enjoy there meal. The female populace would simply dot on her (Pinching her cheeks, giving her little sweet treats, etc.) and the male populace would enjoy her little jokes that she made. And the children always enjoyed a new playmate. And Tigria was always ready to play-whether it be playing tag or cops and robber or pirate adventure with the boys, or dolls or dress up or house with the girls. And Tigria even made two best friends.

A four-year-old Ibex girl named Lixue who would always play dolls with Tigria-and sometimes come with her to play pirates with the boys- and then a five-year-old duck boy named Jun who would always try and include Tigria in whatever the boys were playing-and would always go play with her and Lixue if the other boys didn't want to.

But today, with some slush still on the ground, every single boy and girl, every child in the Valley was playing the exact same game-Slush Fight. NO rules. NO limits. Just an all-out-war using slush balls or just slush in general.

Lixue, Jun, and Tigria were currently ducking behind the wall of the Noodle Shop to avoid one boys attack.

"What're we gonna do Tigria?" Lixue asked her best friend.

Tigria smiled at her. "Grab some slush and follow me!"

"Why?" Jun asked.

"Ever play follow the leader?" The tigress asked.

"Of course!"

"Well, we're gonna try something like that! Just follow me!"

"Aye, Aye Captain Tigria!" The two children saluted the tigress as she began to scoop up some slush and pack it into a ball just like her Uncle Monkey showed her how to do with snow. The other children followed suite. And soon enough, they had plenty of slush-balls to last.

"Let's go!" Tigria whispered to her friends as she checked to see if the coast was clear. Thankfully, everything seemed to reach a sort-of-stand still. Tigria spotted her target and smiled.

True, Slush Fight didn't have any set-in-stone rules, but there was a point to the game. Capture the designated "King's Palace" and you and your team win. And the "King's Palace" of this game was the Apple Cart vendor's cart (He was sick today so the kids made quick use of it).

"Ready to win?" Tigria asked her friends as she slowly slid on her belly toward the car. She heard her friends due the same behind her, the slush balls tucked safely away in her coat's pocket.

That's when her ears picked it up, the sound of someone's body shifting. She stopped and turned her head slowly so she could face her friends. "Enemy spotted. Be ready. Prepare to throw one, due east!" Tigria whispered to her friends. They nodded as they grabbed there slush balls and waited for Tigria's signal.

Then she heard the child from earlier begin to stand up.

"Fire!"

At the tigress's words, the Valley's usually calm street became a warzone of little kids. Tigria throwing slush-balls and dodging them left and right.

"Ugh! I'm hit! I'm hit!" Tigria heard a female voice behind her say. She turned quickly to see Lixue go down. "Go on without me! Go on without me!" the Ibex shouted dramatically, which earned her an eye roll from each of her friends. But nonetheless, the duck and tigress continued toward the cart. They were close to it when she heard it. "Tigria, look out!" and was quickly shoved to the ground. She turned just in time to see a slush ball impact Jun.

"Win for me, pal!" Jun told her. Tigria nodded and scurried off to the cart. Once she reached it, she saw the last problem that stood in her way. Two win the game, she would have the climb to the very top. And she was still very short for her age.

"Aw, butts!" thus, with the mental curse of a child, Tigria jumped as high as she could to get a grip on the cart's ledge and hoisted herself up.

"Tigria, watch out!"
PLOP!

The children of the Valley of Peace gasped at the sight and the game came to a standstill. Tigria, in her shock, turned slowly to see what was going on while doing a quick self-check at the same time. "Ok, so I don't feel wet, or cold… Except for the pockets. I hope they don't melt… And my back or anywhere else doesn't hurt… So what could've happened?"

She gasped as she saw a scaled hand holding a slush-ball that was just inches away from hitting her square in the back. She turned to see an elderly desert monitor smiling kindly at her as he let the slush-ball fall to the ground.

"Um… Hi?' Tigria said in a small voice.

"I must ask child, whatever was it that you were doing?" The lizard asked.

"We were playing Slush-Fight. And I was gonna take the King's Castle."

"Child, I think you might have you're games confused." The lizard chuckled.

"Now, Chao," An elderly blackbuck smiled as he approached the cart and lizard and tigress. "Let the children play there games."

"Chao?" Tigria asked the lizard.

"Ah yes, here let me get you down from there while I explain." The lizard said as he picked her up gently and set her down. "My name is Master Chao of the Onyx Palace and my companion here is Master Yao of the Zen Palace."

"Are you here for the Master's Council meeting my Grandmaster is having today?" Tigria asked.

"I'm sorry, you're Grandmaster?" Yao asked.

"Mm-Hmm! My Grandmaster! He's the short one with white fur!" Tigria smiled happily.

The two masters could tell the child was talking about Shifu. But what they couldn't tell was why she called him her Grandmaster. Or-when she was speaking the very word itself-why it sounded like she was talking about a Grandfather. It was very odd.

Chao-nonetheless-smiled and nodded. "Well, we are indeed here for the Master's Council meeting."

"You're late! Actually, you're very late!" Tigria said pointedly. "I would say exactly how late, but I don't know how to tell time yet!"

Chao and Yao exchanged glances. This child was special. They could tell. It seemed as though she exerted some sort of authority. One they would normally see in a leader.

"Well, miss…?" Yao asked.

"Tigria. Tigria Long-Ping!" The child said proudly.

The masters had to take a double-take. Tigria Long? The Tigria Long? The same Tigria Long that was the lone daughter of Tai-Yang Long and the same Tigria Long that had disappeared from the Earth a few months prior?

"Well, Miss Tigria Long-Ping, would you be so kind as to escort us to the Jade Palace?" Yao asked.

"I'd be more than happy to Master Yao and Master Chao! But first, you have to pass my initiation!" Tigria smiled mischievously.

"And what might this initiation be, Tigria?" Chao asked, a smile on his face.

"Wait right here." was all Tigria said before scurrying off to her friends. Yao watched her go before turning to Chao. "Do you think it's really her?"

"I believe so. She does resemble her father in some ways and I can see a bit of her mother in her." Chao mused.

"I am truly relived that Po, Shifu, and the Five were able to get her before that monster Shā-Wēi did." Yao added.

"And they seem to be doing a rather profound job of raising her." Chao added. "I mean, she does seem happy here."

"Very happy." Yao added.

"Alright, you two READY for your initiation?" Tigria sang happily as she stepped out into the open, her hands behind her back.

"I suppose WE are." Chao imitated her.

"Ok, but just so I'm clear. The Jade Palace is what we're AIM-ing for today?" Tigria asked.

By now, the two masters were getting confused. "Yes. Yes it is." Yao answered.

"FIRE!" Tigria yelled before the two masters were bombarded by slush-balls from all directions. Once it calmed down, Chao and Yao were able to see a laughing Tigria.

"While I am not one to support violence used on whim," Yao said. "But I do believe a retaliation is in order."

"I agree." Chao smiled as he and Yao made slush-balls of their own. The children's eyes widened.

"Retreat!" Tigria yelled as she and the other children scrambled. Thus was how Tigria (at the age of four) managed to get two of the most renowned Kung Fu masters to join her and her friend's game of Slush-Fight.

-Meanwhile, at the Jade Palace-

"I don't see why you are against this, Mugan!" "She has been living with us since Winter Festival!" "Mugan, listen to reason!"

Were some of what was being said. Now, a little explanation. After explaining to the Master's Council what had happened in Bùxiǔ de Xīwàng City, what Tai-Yang had told Tigress and Po on his death bed, and the clear fact that they had been raising her since the Winter Festival.

"Silence!" Ox yelled, silencing the argument that had erupted. "Now, let me reiterate this, one last time. Mugan, while you are a renowned Kung Fu Master, I am afraid you have no argument here. I and Croc along with the majority of this council have already agreed to grant the Masters of the Jade Palace the rights to raise Tigria until a proper age-"

"But all I am saying is that someone as important as Tigria deserves to be raised by someone who can bring out her true potential-" Mugan began.

"I will fight this battle with my dying breath, but there is no way I am letting you take Tigria to the Garnet Palace after what I went through there." Tigress glared at the Goldfish.

"Yes, Tigress is right." Shifu said. "We already got Tigria out of one prison, let's not put her in another one."

"I resent that statement highly!" Mugan spat out.

"You may resent it, but it's still true." Po muttered.

Mugan huffed angrily. "Fine! I'll let Tigria live here-if Master Chao and Master Yao can agree with you."

While it didn't seem like to hard of a task, the Jade Palace Masters knew that once those two arrived, Mugan would swoop in and plead her case to those two.

The meeting was interrupted by a knock on the door and Zeng appearing shortly afterwards. He had a small grin on his face. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but I believe you all might want to see this."

Although a bit upset with the duck for interrupting there meeting, the Master followed him nonetheless out to the Palace Training Grounds. Before entering the immediate grounds, they heard laughter, laughter that sounded like that of old men and the laughter of a young child.

What they saw was definitely not what they were expecting. Tigria, Master Yao, and Master Chao laughing and throwing and dodging slush-balls. Soaking wet. And, the masters noticed, as Chao and Yao were making two more slush-balls, Tigria threw her own as hard as she could and they landed square on the faces of the two master's faces.

"Alright! Alright!" Chao choked out amongst his laughter.
"We give! We give!" Yao laughed.

Still giggling, Tigria went over and helped the elderly masters to their feet. It was then that Shifu cleared his throat, gaining there attention.

"Ah, Shifu! Good to see you old friend!" Chao nodded

"I beg your pardon, Shifu, but Tigria managed to rope us into her little game and we just couldn't seem to stop." Yao said as he patted Tigria on her head. "I must say, you're doing a very good job with her. Never have I seen a child so happy."

"Yes, I must agree!" Chao smiled. "I may not know what this meeting is about-Apologies, once again for being late-but I do know that you are doing an incredible job of raising this child. I am sure you shall continue to do so in the years to come."

The Jade Palace Master's and Ox and Croc just couldn't help the smug grins hat came on their faces.

"Well," Monkey started. "I believe our point has been made for us."

"All those in favor of the Masters of the Jade Palace gaining complete custody of Tigria, say I." Ox announced.

"I!" The masters announced.

Mugan huffed angrily. "I,"

"Motion carried"

-Three years later, at the Jade Palace-

So, as decreed, Po, Tigress, Monkey, Viper, Crane, Mantis, and Shifu gained complete custody of Tigria. And, just to be safe, they placed Ox and Croc as next in line to gain custody of her along with Mr. Ping.

It had been three years since this happened. And Tigria was living a healthy and happy life of an average seven year old. Her training had begun about a month after her fifth birthday. While when it came to physical tasks, she was happily stuck on the beginner levels, but when it came to her studies, she was blowing through the Thousands Scrolls of Kung Fu faster than Tai Lung or any other Master before her had done, for she was nearly halfway done! As for the rest of her studies, Crane was more than happy to see over the rest of her education. Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, and History.

But, this was not the case for this night. For Po and The five had a job to do in the next Valley Over and Shifu had left weeks earlier to visit with Ox and Croc. Leaving Tigria n the care of Zeng and Mr. Ping (who would stop in once a day to watch after her when Zeng was busy with his duties).

It was night time, about a good hour before Tigria's bed time, and raining like cats and dogs outside. Tigria was just cleaning up the dishes from her dinner when she heard it.

"Pipe down, Gahri! They might here us!" A male voice stage whispered. "Gosh! Is it so hard for us to pull off once job?"

"But I didn't say anything!" Another voice stage whispered.

"I hungry, Fung!" A crocodile with a funny voice said.

"Lidong cold." A strong sounding one said.

Tigria frowned and shook her head. She knew that these people were trying to rob her and her home, but honestly, she couldn't turn these poor souls away. As she heard the men outside argue, Tigria calmly walked over to the door and opened it slowly.

Surely, standing just outside the door were the infamous Croc Bandits. The leader (Fung, was it?) was apparently choking a skinny looking crocodile while the strong one shook his head.

"Hi there, Miss Lady!" The one with the funny voice said as he waved at her. The leader, the skinny one, and the strong looking one stopped and slowly turned to face her. A small smile appeared on Tigria's face. She knew what she was going to do.

"Come in brothers, for you are weary, and the night is cold out here. Though our lives are very humble, what we have, we have to share. Come inside brothers, I have some wine here to revive you and some bread to make you strong." Tigria said gently.

"Um… You want us to come inside… And eat… With you?" The leader asked.

"Careful Fung, this might be a trap." The skinny one said.

"Yes, I do! It's very cold out here and you all look like you haven't eaten in days!" Tigria tsked. "Come on inside, here you may rest here in a bed until morning. You can rest from pain and from wrong."

"Why did you call us your brothers?" The skinny one asked.

"Because everyone is sister and brother under the eyes of the Gods." Tigria smiled. "Now, come inside. It's too cold out here."

Tigria, keeping good to her word, cooked the Croc Bandits dinner and allowed them to poor themselves some wine as she placed there bowls of soup. And, since she wasn't allowed to use matches, she asked the silly talking one (Wall-Eye was his name) to light to candle's that here held up by Silver Candle Stick holders.

After saying thank you to the gods and asking them to bless their souls, they ate. Tigria, eating careful spoonfuls, the Croc Bandits on the other hand were shoveling the food into their mouths, for it had truly been days since they last ate.

"I got those for my birthday, you know." Tigria told the strong one (Lidong was his name) when she caught him staring at it.

"They look expensive to Lidong." He said.

"I can imagine. Pure silver!" Tigria smiled. "I believe it was my Uncle Ox that gave me those. Perhaps my Uncle Croc, though."

"You're Uncle Ox?" Fung asked.

"Uncle Croc?" Gahri echoed.

"Oh yes! You see, I was adopted about a little over three years ago by my Bàba and Māmā and Grandmaster and my Aunt Viper and Uncles Crane, Monkey, Mantis, Ox and Croc. They are the only family I can remember having for the longest of time, and I love them dearly!"

"What ya mean you adopter?" Wall-Eye asked.

"I don't really remember my Mother and Father. I've been told my mother died when I was only a few hours' old-"

"Ouch!" Fung cringed.

"Yeah. And then my father… I remember him vaguely… I think it was when he was dropping me off to live with the-bad people. He died a few years ago." The Croc Bandits-even with their lack of mental power-could notice how Tigria cringed at the mention of the "Bad People". But they were shocked when they saw her smile brightly soon afterwards. "But that is in the past! Now, we have some leftover Moon Cake from the festival the other day. Would you gentlemen like some?"

-A few hours later-

Tigria had laid out some mats for the Croc Bandits to sleep on until morning. The mats lay on the floor of the nursery. Tigria and Wall-Eye were the only one's truly sleeping though. Gahri was dozing on and off though. Lidong, form his mat, rolled over to glance at Tigria. Sound asleep.

"Psst! Fung!" Lidong whispered.

"Yeah, I'm awake." Fung whispered back.

"You thinking what Lidong thinking?"

"That no one-not even Po-has ever been this nice to us?"

"No!" Lidong rolled his eyes. "Silver Candle Sticks. Make Lidong and You rich. Wake up others. We're leaving."

Fung nervously glanced back to the sleeping child. After all that she had done, give them a warm meal, put them up for the night, and give them somewhere to sleep. Could he really take her candle sticks?

"Come on! Lidong meet you there!" The large crocodile said as he tiptoed out of the nursery.

Fung frowned before turning to look at the child one last time. Sleeping peacefully, doll clutched tightly to her chest.

He sighed before walking over to Gahri and Wall-Eye. "Hey guys, guys get up! We're leaving.

"What?" Gahri asked. "What'd you mean?"

"Gosh Gary just-just Gosh! Can't you just trust me on something for once?!" Fung whispered angrily. "Come on! Lidong's waiting for us!"

Wall-Eye and Gahri watched him leave and grew concerned. Fung was always on edge and all, but never this on edge.

Gahri ran to catch up with him. "Fung? Fung! Fung, are you ok? What are we even doing?"

"Lidong thinks we should steal those Silver Candle Sticks! Now c'mon! Lidong's waiting!" Fung whisper-shouted to his bandits as he ran off toward the kitchen.

-The next morning, around Ten O'clock-

Fung, Gahri, Wall-Eye, and even Lidong were hauled into the Hall of Heroes, where Tigria was assisting Zeng in sweeping the floors, the Croc Bandits in chains. The purposely avoided looking at the young tigress.

"Alright you scum, tell Little Miss Tigria your story!" One of the Anvil of Heaven members spat at the bandits.

"Let's see if she's impressed!" Another said as he kicked Fung into the room.

"What's going on?" Zeng asked.

"I'll tell ya what's going on! Last night, these four bandits here were the honored Tigria's guests. And out of her goodness, she took them in and let them lodge here for the night."

"You did what?!" Zeng gasped at Tigria, who remained calm the entire time. "Tigria what were you thin-" Zeng was cut off by Tigria holding up one of her paws. Then she nodded to the Anvil of Heaven members to continue.

"Anyway, we found these idiots with these." The first member pulled out the silver candle sticks and set them by Tigria. "And they had the very nerve to say you gave them these."

"But that could not possibly be-" The second member started.

"That is right!" Tigria cut him off. "But my friend's you left so early, surely something must've slipped your minds." Tigria reached into her belt and pulled out a tiny little music box made of jade and marble with some gold in there. Given to her by Mistress Mugan on her seventh birthday a few months ago. She never really liked it and had little use for a Jewelry box.

"You forgot that I gave this also! Now, surely you wouldn't leave the best behind!"

By now, The Croc Bandits (minus Lidong) jaws had dropped to the floor as Tigria presented them with candlesticks and the jewelry box. Tigria walked around them. "Good sirs, release them. For these men have spoken true. I commend you for your duty, and may the Gods blessings go with you." Tigria bowed respectfully to these men.

They bowed back and left, but not before unlocking the bandits from there chains. As they left, Tigria motioned for Zeng to leave. He raised a brow but nodded anyway and left, once he was gone, Tigria stepped forward to the still shocked bandits.

"But remember this my brothers, see in this some higher plan. You must use my precious gifts, to become honest men. By the witness of the martyrs," Tigria said as she pressed her gifts into Fung's hands and helped him to his feet. "By their passion and there blood. The gods have raised you out of darkness, I have saved your soul for the Gods." Tigria smiled kindly at the bandits and then turned to follow after Zeng.

Fung stared down at the gifts in his hand. Guilt welled up inside him. Not knowing what else to do, he turned around and walked out of the palace. The gifts felt like lead in his hand.

-Later-

"Gosh! Does anyone else feel as G-Guil…Guup…Guil-" Fung struggled with the word.

"Guilty?" Gahri asked, frowning.

"Yeah. That word." Fung nodded before sighing.

"Miss Lady gave us da pretty presents after we try steal them. We bad people." Wall-Eye said.

"Yeah, I guess we are…" Fung sighed sadly. Meanwhile, Lidong was fuming.

"Lidong, mad. Lidong made to look like fool by tiny little girl."

"Hey, um, Lidong-are you ok?" Fung as he carefully approached his cousin. Knowing how dangerous he could be when he was angry.

"LIDONG GOING TO CRUSH LITTLE GIRL!" was all Lidong said before he stormed off.

Gahri, Wall-Eye, and Fung stood there for a moment before realization finally, finally, dawned on them. "He's going after Tigria." Gahri said calmly.

-One minute later-

"HE'S GOING AFTER TIGRIA!" The three remaining Croc Bandits shouted in horror. There was no way in hell that they would let Lidong-Family member of Fung or not!-hurt the sweet, innocent little girl who basically set them free!

"C'mon guys! We have to find Tigria and warn her!" Fung said.

"Let's go!" Gahri shouted.
"Can I get some food?" Wall-Eye asked.

"NO!"

-Meanwhile, in the Valley's main square-

Tigria hummed happily and kicked her legs while Zeng and her Yéye chatted about nothing in particular. Tigria just happened to glance over and see Lixue and Jun walking by with their parents. She smiled. "Yéye, may I go say hi to my friends?"

"Hmmm, I suppose, just be right back, your father should be home soon." Mr. Ping told her gently. She nodded and then skipped off to be with her friends. Mr. Ping turned to Zeng. "Has Shifu sent any word on when she would come?"

"Shifu said that she was consulting her charts to see when the appropriate time to enter the Valley would be. She knows that this is a very important meeting so she'll have to make sure that everything is perfect for when she enters the Valley." Zeng explained.

"I understand that the Soothsayer is a wise woman, but I do think she's making a big deal out of nothing. I mean, Tigria is only the sole survivor of her family's lineage, the only hope for Bùxiǔ de Xīwàng City and-oh, yep I hear it. Don't worry. I've got it." Mr. Ping smiled.

It was then that heard children screaming. Lixue and Jun ran into the shop, eyes widened in fear. "Mr. Ping! Mr. Ping! It's Tigria!"

"What's going on?"

"Some gigantic crocodile just tried to attack Tigria, but some of those pathetic Croc Bandits just swooped in and saved her!" Lixue said.

"Then where's Tigria?" Zeng asked nervously.

"Yeah, to save her they kinda had to run away. And that big Crocodile is still chasing after them." Jun said.

That was all it took for the two birds to run out of the restaurant with the kids hot on their trails.

-Meanwhile, with Po and the Furious Five-

"Well guys that was one great adventure!" Monkey smiled as he and his friends approached the Valley.

"Yeah, I still can't believe that sweet, little old lady was the one who stole the Pearls!" Po said.

"Always expect the Unexpected, I guess?" Tigress shrugged. "But I honestly didn't expect that."

The group was cut off by three collective male screams of terror. Fearing the worst, Po and the Five rushed over to see what was happening. Nothing could've prepared them for what they saw.

It was Lidong. He did not look very happy, in fact, he looked near rage. And he was advancing on Fung and the other Croc Bandits, he looked about ready to murder them.

"Jeesh, you go out of town for a few days, and then stuff like this happens!" Mantis said from his spot atop Monkey's head.

"But why is it happening?" Viper asked.

"Ten Yuan says that this is Fung's fault." Crane smirked.

"My money's on Wall-Eye." Mantis replied.

"Would you two shut up!" Tigress hissed. "I think that those three are trying to protect someone from Lidong."

"How can you tell?" Po asked.

"See how there huddled around that tree?" Tigress asked. Po nodded. "Well, unless they've suddenly become Tree-Huggers, I think they're trying to protect someone."

"But who could they be-?" Po started.

"Step Back, Lidong! We don't want to hurt you!" Fung shouted.

Lidong merely raised a brow-obviously unimpressed-and grabbed his cousin by the head and chucked him behind him with a mere flick of the wrist. Finally giving the masters a glimpse of who it was the Croc Bandits were protecting. A snow white, Indo-Chinese tigress with ebony black stripes and sapphire blue eyes.

Tigria.

Lidong then grabbed Wall-Eye and Gahri and repeated what he just did to Fung to them. Leaving Tigria cornered. She started to back up slightly, only to run into a tree, and began to whimper in fear.

"Little girl make Lidong look like fool, make Lidong look weak. Now, Lidong going to show little girl how weak he is!"

That was the final straw for the masters, they sprang into action. Crane swooped in and grabbed Tigria before Lidong could strike and-for a lack of a better place-set her down next to Wall-Eye. Viper slithered up and wrapped her tail around Lidong's wrist and choked Lidong while making him punch himself at the same time. When she was done, Mantis-using every ounce of strength he had-picked Lidong up and started to slam him to the ground. When he was finished, Po, Tigress, and Monkey all charged at him and in once swift motion, knocked him to the ground.

"Bàba! Māmā!" Tigria cried as she ran to embrace her parents. She met Tigress first.

"What's going on? Are you ok?" The elder tiger asked.

"They protected me, Māmā! Fung, Gahri, and Wall-Eye! They protected me!" Tigria smiled.

"It was the least we could do, after you let us stay the night." Gahri said.

"You did what?!" The masters asked in unison.

"Then Miss Lady give us da pretty candle sticks and jewelry box to help us start lives." Wall-Eye said.

"Young lady, what is going on?" Tigress asked her adopted daughter sternly.

"I had to Māmā! I thought that maybe if I showed them some kindness they might consider a reform! I knew that they were good people, but I also knew that they needed a push in the right direction. They needed forgiveness. Isn't that what Great-Grandmaster taught us?

"Didn't he teach us to live for the future, enjoy the present, learn from past mistakes, and to value forgiveness above all else? I just was trying to think like Great-Grandmaster did when he was still around. Isn't that what he taught us, Māmā? To forgive everyone for past mistakes, because sometimes, it's not their fault. Right?" Tigria asked.

Pride swelled up in the masters, Tigress and Po especially. Those two even felt little lumps start to form in their throats. Because Tigria was wrong.

It wasn't Oogway who preached forgiveness, while he did support the idea, it wasn't him who preached it. It was Tai-Yang. Tigria's birth father.

At that moment, the masters couldn't help but spot the similarities between her and her birth parents. For physical examples-true, there were few, but still there-Tigria had her Father's nose and Mother's smile. But there were other similarities. For example, she was determined, intelligent, and wise beyond her years, and above all else, a natural born leader, like her father. But she was also kind, caring, and patient, like her mother.

Tai-Yang and Ming Yué would be proud of their baby girl.

"Tigria! Tigria!" New voices on the horizon shouted. The masters and Croc bandits turned to see Zeng, Mr. Ping, Lixue, and Jun running up to them. Upon seeing the child was safely on the ground and surrounded by her Uncles, Aunt, and parents, the group let out a sigh of relief.

"We thought something horrible happened to you!" Mr. Ping said as he received a hug from his beloved granddaughter.

Tigria giggled. "I'm fine, Yéye!"

"You see what happens when you invite criminals to stay in the palace for-" Zeng started.

"No Zeng, Tigria did the right thing." Po said, smiling fondly at his daughter. "She just didn't expect one of them to go completely crazy."

"Well, now that this is all over, let's head back to the Valley." Tigress said.

"Besides, I'm sure Tigria will want to hear about the adventure we just had!" Monkey smiled.

Tigria started to jump up and down with excitement while Fung snuck over to Po and whispered. "Are we in trouble?"

"We're you trying to rob us before?"

"Yes, but we only took the candle sticks and then Tigria gave them to us!"

"It's a good thing my daughter likes you, Fung. Because I am so tempted to hurt you right now. But, I am willing to let you explain." Po smiled.

What no one else saw was that Lidong had slowly started to get up. And was now hovering over everyone. He growled lowly, and reached out. Tigria heard it and turned just in time to see Lidong reach out and try to grab her Bàba. He just grabbed his shoulder-causing Po to turn to look at him-when it happened.

"NO!"

It happened so slowly, yet so quickly at the same time.

As soon as Tigria had shouted, everything else went mute as a blinding flash of sky blue light filled everyone's vision. Only a few seconds later did the sounds of an explosion take place.

And as the light cleared, the Masters, Croc Bandits, Lixue and Jun, Mr. Ping, and Zeng became more aware of their situation.

Black ash covered everything-and everyone, for at least a good mile around. The group spotted Lidong, unconscious, about ten yards away, slumped forward and laying at the base of a tree. The group also noticed that-while they were covered in ash-Tigria remained squeaky clean. And that as the ash got closer to her, it started to fade away to a grey to absolutely no ash at all.

"Well…" Mantis was the first to speak up. "This brings back memories, doesn't it?"

"Gosh, that's one heck of a Temper-Tantrum." Fung said, in awe.

"Did she just-?" Lixue gasped.

"Yeah, I think she did." Jun said.

Tigress exchanged a nervous glance with Po. That's when Tigria started to cry. Po and Tigress rushed over to her.

"Hey, hey, hey. It's ok, kiddo. You're alright!" Po said as he pulled Tigria into a hug.

"Everything's ok, Tigria! We're fine! You're fine!" Tigress said softly.

"I-I didn't m-mean t-t-to do that! I-I-It j-jus-st ha-happened!" Tigria sobbed. "Please don't hurt me like the bad people did all those years ago!"

"Honey, what do you mean?" Po asked.

"I forgot to clean the fireplace, once, and the mean lady yelled at me and locked me out of the house for a week! Then the mean man came out and started to hit me! I heard a loud crack and then my arm really hurt! I screamed for him to stop but he wouldn't and then-and then I saw some bright light and I saw he was sleeping on the ground next to me. The mean lady came out and started to hold my neck, like this-" Tigria grabbed her neck like one would to throttle someone before continuing. "And I had a hard time breathing! Please don't do what they did, Bàba! Please don't!"

Three years of convincing Tigria that they weren't anything like the Hú-láng's had just gone down the drain. All within the time span of five minutes. But they were more than willing to take three more years to convince her once again, if it only meant they could see their beloved daughter happy and healthy.

"Tigria," Po started. "We would never hurt you the way they did. We love you, baby. We always will."

Tigria sniffled for a few more minutes. "Ok… Is Lidong dead?"

"No, he's just sleeping." Gahri told the child as gently as he could.

"Ok… can we go home now? I want to sit down." Tigria asked softly.

"Of course," Tigress smiled as she picked up the child. "Let's get going."

No one objected. They all started to make their way toward the Valley, but not before chaining Lidong up and summoning the Anvil of Heaven to come and pick him up. But the Masters all knew what was left unsaid.

They knew that while Tigria shared some physical traits and other traits with her birth parents, she was and would be, more powerful than both of them combined.

Because no mere child could unlock the Hidden Moves of Peaceful Chi three times in her life-all before she was ten, nonetheless- and unleash with such power.

Right now, the Masters were all praying that Shifu would be returning home soon, and bringing the Soothsayer with him. Because they were all certain this was an Omen. An Omen foreshadowing what's to come.

They just weren't sure if it was a good omen or a bad omen yet…