Chapter 19:
Scroll of disappointment

As the Furious Five were having their butts handed to them the turtle and the panda had returned from their one on one time. “You have done well, turtle.” Shifu said as the two of them entered the training area.

“Done well? Done well? I think you mean that I was awesome!” The green skinned one said while unintentionally hip slamming the smaller fighter, but he only slid.

“The mark of a true hero is humility.” The teacher said back to him calmly. Michelangelo knew that was certain since his father said the same when he graduated to Chunnin. “But yes, you have done…” He started but stalled, and when the teen stopped he was sucker punched in the gut. “…awesome.” The teacher finished.

‘Seems they’ve hit it off why they were away.’ Leonardo thought as he and the others were weapon practicing and saw the two new comers laughing and pointing at one another for what just happened. The moment went south when they all heard the flapping of wings.

‘What is that?’ They all thought as they saw a winged creature coming closer. The answer to their question came in the form of four frozen bodies, and one partially frozen.

“Monkey?” The orange one questioned to the still frame of his friend.

“Crane?” Donatello said as he saw his winded wind rider.

“Mantis?” The swords-turtle questioned as he saw the still insect.

“Tigress?” Raphael shouted in alarm, forgetting about his revenge to her, and just thought of how he almost lost Joy.

“Viper?” Michelangelo shouted to the stiffened snake before him before going over to the scene. The five fighters went to see how they were, and were grateful to see that they were breathing, and that their pupils were also still moving.

“We were no match for his nerve attack.” Crane informed as the brainy brother was checking to see if anything was damaged with a follow the finger exercise.

“He has gotten stronger.” Shifu said under his breath after hearing that news. Seeing that the flier was still fighting fit he went to the others, and unfroze them - Mantis was first.

“Who? Tai Lung? Stronger?” The slacker questioned as he checked on Monkey. He was worried about Viper as well, but he knew that she was a bit tougher. The teacher fixed the peel projectile expert who unknowingly punched his new friend’s chin.

“He’s too fast!” The tan furred man said after being unstuck, and then saw what he had done. “Sorry, Mikey.” The teacher then worked on his daughter who was being looked over by the angered turtle.

“I thought we could stop him.” She admitted to her father figure, and felt a hand on her shoulder. The feline was grateful that it was the red one.

“He could have killed you.” He scolded to them, even though he was grateful that they were still with him, before moving on to the last of them - Viper.

“Why didn’t he?” The insect questioned since it didn’t make sense to him. The ex-student had them stunned therefore easy targets to either kill outright or kick them over the cliff.

“It is to serve as a threat; a fear motivator. He took you five down to show the valley that he has gotten stronger, and no matter what he will get what he came for.” Leonardo said to them before adding, “Believe me when I say that I speak from experience.” Shifu decided to step in and let them know that everything is fine.

“But his plan won’t work.” The panda said as he relaxed the leather skinned woman before him.

“It might…a little because I AM FREAKING OUT HERE!” The orange one shouted.

“You can defeat him, turtle?” The teacher said as he looked up at his new friend.

“Come on - these are five masters and he took `em down like nothing. Even if I work with my brothers that only makes four, and last I checked four was less then five.” The orange one shouted back since he felt his yellow streak returning.

“I’ve got this one Master.” The blue one said as he gently placed a hand on the panda’s shoulder who was about to counter the coward’s comment. “Tell me something Michelangelo, do you remember when Demon Shredder attacked our hometown?” The eldest questioned.

“Of course I do, bro.” The youngest said back; not really understanding what he was getting at.

“Then you should also remember how scared the innocent people of our town was when his underlings attacked.” The eldest said back and saw that the young one remembered that. “How we felt when we all thought we lost our fellow Acolytes and the Tribunal.” He added as he stared right through the orange mask.

‘How could I forget. Losing Hisomi in battle and having Tora die in my arms like he did.’ The prankster thought and felt his yellow slowly fade away. It was then he got what the wise one was getting at. “You don’t have to say another word bro…” He started to say, and stalled to get his weapons out from his belt, “…I’m never going to let that stuff happen again.” The announcer received a nod of acceptance from the swordsman.

‘Is he serious? Does he really intend to fight Tai Lung?” Viper thought as she was listening to their conversation.

“Guys, I’m all for optimism as much as the next turtle, but I have a feeling that our weapons would be turned to scrap after the first strike.” The one in purple commented to them, and the two knew that he was right. They had a feeling that if the leopard could defy five unarmed warriors then four armed ninjas would be useless.

“Then we’re gonna need an edge, and you know where I’m going with this.” Raphael said to his brothers while helping his fellow defender back to her feet. Shifu understood what he meant as well, and guided them all back to the palace.

“Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, Raphael come here.” Shifu said as they were inside and near the small pool. As soon as they got up to him the teens instantly looked up at the dragon sculpture in the ceiling.

“You…you really believe that we’re ready?” The orange one questioned since he was still uncertain that he was worthy of such a secret.

“You are…Mikey.” The teacher said while also using the turtle’s nickname to show that he accepted the youngest of the group. The made said ninja happy to hear that his latest master does now like him.

“Good work, bro.” Leonardo said to kin with a pat on the shoulder. The others congratulated him as well before seeing their latest teacher walk over to the Oogway shrine to pick up his staff.

‘Looks like you were right, old friend.’ The panda thought before walking over to the small pool. The nine of them watched as their master began to twirl the staff followed by other motions. These later motions moved the peach petals in the water.

“That’s it.” The red one muttered to himself as he watched one petal hit the top tip of the scroll cause, and the item in question slid right out. Shifu caught it with ease: thanks to the staff before it fell into the pool.

“Behold, the Dragon Scroll.” Shifu said as he turned back to face them - holding the powerful scroll in his hand. “It is yours.” He whispered to them causing all four of them to step closer to him.
“Wait. What happens when we read it?” The comical combatant said as he was wondering what would happen to them after looking at this sacred treasure.

“No one knows, but legend says you will be able to hear a butterfly’s wing beat.” Shifu said as he repeated a rumor that one of the other masters have told him. This impressed most of the group…except for the second oldest who was still thinking of how hard to pound Tai Lung.

“Really? That’s pretty cool actually.” The brainy said to them, and even though he could build a device back home for such a task he would like to hear it without mechanical assistance.

“Yes. And see light in the deepest cave. You will feel the universe in motion around you.” Shifu went on to tell them the other rumors he has heard about. The teacher mainly used the world ‘legend’ to make these statements sound more believable since he did not know if they were true.

“WOW!!! Can I punch through walls? Can I do a octuple back-flip?” Michelangelo questioned since he was getting excited about this moment. Their master kept muttering the word ‘focus’, but he wasn’t listening so the others helped him out.

‘Not this time, Raph.’ Leo thought as he blocked the attempted slap, and then did it himself. When he got a mean look from his kid brother the hero spoke, “Focus, Michelangelo - this is kind of important.” The turtle in question nodded and looked back to his teacher.

“Read it, you four, read it and fulfill your destiny. Read it and become…the Dragon Warriors.” The gray furred mammal said to them while offering the item to them. Too eager to get the show on the road the orange turtle snatched it and began to open it…or at least tried.

“This thing is impossible to open. OK. Come on, baby. Come on, now.” The youngest said as he tried every which way to open it: twisting either end, biting it, pulling the ends, and slamming it on the ground as if it were a hammer.

“Give me that.” The intelligent turtle said and snatched it from the last of the four. With a simple twist he was able to get the cap off.

“I loosened it for you.” The chucker said as he tried to use the scene before to his advantage, and had the cap tossed at his forehead. “Now, let’s see what all the fuss is about.” He said before opening the scroll. The other three gathered around him and all four of their faces were covered in a bright yellow glow.

‘It must be too much for them.’ The five thought as the warriors before them were screaming in pain. Once their eyes adjusted to the light flash the group could see.

“What scam are you pullin here?” Raphael shouted out, and they could all hear his tone was that of anger.

“Scam?” Shifu questioned as he looked at the four with a little offense since that is one word he never wanted to hear again.

“I think what my brother is saying is - why did you give us a blank scroll.” Donatello said to their latest teacher, but used better words than the angered avenger used.

“Blank?” The elder questioned again: still not getting what they were talking about.

“Yes, master. Blank. Look for yourself.” The eldest of the four said and offered the scroll to him. Out of obligation the father figure looked away.

“No, I am forbi…den to…” Against his will he found himself making quick peeks at the lowered document, and when he fully saw that nothing was on it he snatched it away. “Blank?” Shifu questioned after rapidly opening and closing the scroll just to see nothing every time. “I don’t…” He stalled before looking at his nine children and finished with, “…understand.” The news of a blank scroll took all of them off guard.

“OK. So, like…” The orange one began to speak since this was really a let down to him. “…Oogway may have been a cool turtle, but he was still as nutty as a fruitcake.” The teenager said to his master in a admitting tone.

“No, Oogway was wiser than us all.” Their small in stature teacher said back while putting the scroll back in its container.

“Come on! He picked us by accident. Of course weren’t not the Dragon Warriors.” The party animal countered before flopping down on his butt in defeat. The Furious Five were also at a loss for they too was counting on the scroll to bail them out.

“But who will stop Tai Lung?” The tiger questioned while holding the left side of her ribs since they were still damaged.

“He’ll destroy everything and everyone.” The bird stated, and they all knew that he spoke the truth. Raphael heard them, and did not like how the five were giving up, so he decided to speak up.

“Well, I say we fight, and kick his sorry tail all the way back to prison. You with me?” The red one stated as he took out his sais and spun them on his fingers.

“I’m with you, bro.” Leonardo said to his hot tempered brother as he took out his weapons as well.

“To the end.” The brainiac stated as he too took out his bo-staff. He knew what he said earlier, but going down without a fight was not the way of the Ninja Turtles.

“Which hopefully isn’t going to be anytime soon…right?” The youngest said as he spun his chucks a bit before catching the other halves with his underarms. The Furious fighters heard this, and were astonished that they were still willing to fight this monster on their own.

“NO!” Shifu shouted out to get their attention. “Evacuate the valley. You must protect the villagers from Tai Lung’s rage.” The red panda issued to them when he had their attention, and gave the scroll to Michelangelo.

“What about you, Master?” Tigress questioned to her father figure: fearing the worse for the man that saved her.

“I will fight him.” The small creature said back to her even though he knew it was not the thing she, or the others wanted to hear.

“What?” The swords-turtle questioned is a soft voice.

“I can hold him off long enough for everyone to escape.” He told them his self-sacrifice plan which did not go over well.

“But, Shifu, he’ll kill you.” The youngest said to his latest friend since in a lot of ways Shifu gave off a Splinter vibe, and he did not want to lose such a powerful father figure.

“Then I will have finally paid for my mistake.” The teacher said to the young man who was now kneeling before him. “Listen to me, all of you. It is time for you to continue your journey without me. I am very proud to have been your master.” He said to the nine and bowed which they bowed as well.

‘We can’t let him do this.’ The four thought as they saw him walk over to the pool. The five saw this and decided to gracefully escort them outside. Crane took Donatello, Mantis took Leonardo, Monkey/Viper took Michelangelo, and Tigress took Raphael.

‘What is that?’ She questioned as she saw a different gleam of anger coming from his eyes, but with the situation she chose to focus on the villager’s safety.

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