Chapter 13:
Shifu’s failure

The four of them once again made it to the top of the stairs and saw that no one was out there; which didn’t surprise them. “You guys get the Kung Fu master inside I’m grabbin my gear.” The second eldest said before walking over and grabbing his sais. The angered avenger then did a few backflips and was able to catch up with them.

“Excuse me Crane, but Michelangelo is injured, and…” The purple turtle said in a calm tone since he was trying to appease to their good side, but when the red one walked in and saw this he just decided to be blunt.

“Yo, five, we got wounded. Anyone who wants to help come out. Anybody who doesn’t - stay in your rooms.” Raphael shouted as loud as he could without a care if they did or did not do as he asked.

“I will help you.” Viper said after opening her door and slithered out to meet them. The female fighter’s heart sunk when she saw just how badly the youngest was damaged.

“I’ll help you out too.” A second voice said, and they saw that it was Mantis: pushing some sort of box. With that the six entered the damaged defender’s room and got to work, after the insect said, “Don’t worry kid, acupuncture will make you feel a lot better.” As soon as he said that the others knew that it would be anything but.

“I thought you said acupuncture would make me feel better.” The injured hero said after the sixth needle was jammed in his neck.

“Trust me, it will. It’s just not easy finding the right nerve points under all this…” The man stalled because he didn’t know what to say since he had never done this on a turtle before.

“Thick shell.” Mikey said and meant it in humor, but his medical aid took it as if he meant it.

“Scales. I was gonna say scales.” He countered, but the others said nothing back to him. “Who am I to judge a warrior based on his size? I mean - look at me.” Mantis said to the teenager who was looking over his left shoulder until, “I’m over here.” He said and shoved a new needle in between his shoulder and neck.

“Maybe you should take a look at this again.” The snake said to him showing him an outline of a upright turtle. He looked at it for a moment and then responded.

“Oh, okay.” The insect said back to her - not really understanding the drawing, but decided to say that just to calm her down. The poking continued which was interrupting Monkey’s meditation, which was interrupted already by Raphael, and Crane who was trying to paint but messed up his final stroke.

“I know Master Shifu is trying to inspire us and all…” The young one said to the two and even though he did not know how to phrase it without getting them mad he went ahead and said it, “…but if I didn’t know any better, I’d say he was trying to get rid of me.” The two looked at one another and the serpent gave him a smile to try to calm him a bit, but it didn’t work.

“I know he can seem kind of heartless…” Mantis said after rearming with more needles, and shoved one at the base of the head. “…but you know he wasn’t always like that.” He added which got all of their attention.

“According to legend, there was once a time when Master Shifu actually used to smile.” The dancer turn fighter said to them. That one comment caused the blunt one to speak.

“That old geezer - smile? Get out of town.” He said to her with a wave of dismissal since he did not believe what she had said. As the serpent began to tell the tale Raphael’s rival was not only in the hall, but heard the conversation.

‘This needs to be said by the one that has been here the longest.’ Tigress thought as she waited outside the room in question for the right moment.

“But that was before.” Viper continued and paused for both dramatic effect and because the chucker was closing in on her, and she wanted him in the right position for a stunt of hers.

“Before what?” The field leader questioned since he hated being held up from some important information. The snake saw that he was in the right spot, but before she could try anything the doors flew open and the feline stood there.

“Before Tai Lung.” The second student of the school said calmly to the new guys before her.

“Uh…we’re not really supposed to talk about him.” The birds said from his room, and that was when the turtles grew interested over why this man was such a secret.

“Well, if they’re going to stay here, then they should know.” The feline said before walking in and closed the gap between herself and the fourth nice and slow.

“Guys. Guys, you’re talking to a Kung Fu bookworm, so I know about Tai Lung. He was a student. The first ever to master the thousand scrolls of kung fu. And then he turned bad and now he’s in jail.” The orange one said, but almost couldn’t finish due to the glare he was getting from the orange furred woman.
‘I like her now. She can scare Mikey: almost as good as me.’ The red masked warrior thought before hearing what she had to say.

“He wasn’t just a student.” She began to say as she soon spoke of Tai Lung’s origin, or at least when he enrolled at the Jade Palace, “Shifu found him as a cub…and he raised him as his son. And when the boy showed talent in kung fu…Shifu trained him. He believed in him. He told him he was destined for greatness. It was never enough for Tai Lung. He wanted the Dragon Scroll. But Oogway saw darkness in his heart and refused. Outraged, Tai Lung laid waste to the valley. He tried to take the scroll by force. And Shifu had to destroy what he had created. But how could he? Shifu loved Tai Lung like he had loved anyone before. Or since.” She said and what she said seemed to have touched the four in various ways.

‘She seems pretty broken up about the last part.’ Leonardo thought as he saw her eyes show a softer emotion other than that usual cold glare.

‘I bet father would be the same should any of us turn.’ Donatello thought as he listened to the tale.

‘Dude sounds hardcore crazy.’ Michelangelo thought and ignored the pain in his neck while listening to the story.

“So, basically, we’re cleaning up the mess that old geezer couldn’t do.” Raphael said to her in anger since this almost felt how the Tribunal used the four of them to put an end to their old friend. She ignored his statement and focused on the one on the floor.

“And now he has a chance to make things right. To train the true Dragon Warrior. And he’s stuck with you four: teacher’s pet, nerdy, insane, and slacker of turtles who all basically treat this like a joke.” Tigress said to all while never losing sight of the comical turtle. As soon as she said that the jokester made a face which got her really angry. “Oh, that is it!” She shouted and was about to strike until the red one interfered.

“Back off whiskers.” He said after standing in front of her and grabbed her left wrist. “Unless you want to continue where we left off.” He informed her with a confident smirk. She glared at him, flexed her wrist free, and then walked away. The others, including Crane and Monkey who used the side doors to get a better view, were in awe over what he did.

“Sorry to interrupt but I accidentally tweaked his facial nerve.” Mantis said to them before the youngest ninja’s body collapsed and everyone saw that his neck area was covered in red needles. “And may have also stopped his heart.” He added while tapping his face with no response.

“I’ll help you out.” The bo fighter said as he sat down and analyzed the picture to get an understanding, the swords-turtle helped out, but the tough turtle:
“I’m gone.” He said and left without a second thought for his brother’s well being. The teacher took to the training hall and set up his candles for proper meditation. He lit them when dusk set and got to clearing his mind.

“Inner peace. Inner peace.” The elder said after sitting down and concentrated, but due to his species hyper sensitive ears he detected something behind him. “Inner…in-in- Inner peace.” He struggled since the flapping was getting worse that he had to say something about it, “Would whoever is making that flapping sound quiet down?!” He shouted/requested since all he wanted at the moment was silence. “Inner…” He started again, but heard a something flop behind him. ‘Someone is about to die.’ He thought before turning to see that it was his old friend. “Oh, Zeng. Excellent. I could use some good news right now.” He said and saw that his friend was about to say something, but quickly stopped.

“Before I tell you anything I must ask that you do not kill me.” The goose said to the teacher in a nervous tone. The red panda seemed confused, but nodded just the same. “Okay, here goes…” He said and explained everything to him.

“Oh no.” Shifu muttered under his breath before racing over to the one spot he knew to find his master.

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TMNT, and the others, are owned by Eastman/Laird and Fox Box.
Kung Fu Panda, and the others, are owned by Dreamworks.