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Chan-Li, watched the scene unfolding from the safety of a nearby rooftop. The fox wore battle armor that was heavily damaged from years of raiding villages and war; he had lost the use of his left eye when an arrow had struck it during battle. A huge chunk was missing out of his left ear, the result of having a foe bite into his ear during that same battle. An evil smile crossed the mouth of the vulpine as he pulled out his sword out of its sheath. Perhaps it is about time I join the fight, he thought to himself leaping into action.

The lower ranks of Chan's followers wore their battle armor over tattered and torn rags. Bandages covering wounds from past battles that had not fully healed with gold hoop earrings in both ears.

Officers wore bandanas with two swords crossed and a rose in the center, they also wore golden bracelets on their arms.

Chan as the leader of the Order of the Rose, wore a bandanna with three swords pointing towards the rose in the center. He wore his armor over clothes made of fine silk. He also wore a golden nose ring.

Thank goodness there aren't any citizens walking around, thought Tiger to himself, otherwise this could have gotten ugly in a hurry. An evil cackle coming from in front of him and Tigress snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Good evening," called out Chan, an evil sneer forming across his muzzle. "I hope the two of you aren't going to try and stop us, otherwise you may meet a swift end."

"You would do well to not underestimate us," replied Tiger a grin forming on his face. "We are masters of Kung Fu and have trained our entire lives to hone our skills."

"Tiger stay focused and keep your guard up," said Tigress getting into her stance. "I wouldn't want you to get hurt."

"Don't worry about me Tigress," replied Tiger getting into his stance, " I am always on alert and focused."

"Now then," cackled Chan, "Why don't we get this show on the road."

At Chan's signal the twenty soldiers advanced towards the two warriors. Spears pointed forwards they charged towards Tiger and Tigress at a breakneck pace. Tiger sensed their approach taking a defensive stance as the foxes approached. Cold green eyes flashed as the fox turned his spear towards his chosen target, Tiger. The fox lunged forward, the sharp blade of his weapon aimed at Tiger's neck. Licking his lips in anticipation of the kill, he thrust the spear towards the warrior with one agile motion.

Tiger sidestepped the attack from his foe. With a roar he directed a powerful roundhouse kick to the bandaged temple of his adversary. With a gasp of surprise and disbelief the fox collapsed in a defeated heap of fur at Tiger's feet giving one last shudder before he fell unconscious.

Soon more joined the fray, Tiger barely had time to rest before he was surrounded by a group of fifteen beasts. He noticed Tigress a few feet away fighting off a group of about 5 beasts. Her graceful moves and trained focus allowing her to easily dispatch all of her foes.

Tiger meanwhile was fending off his opponents, one after another they attacked thrusting the sharp blades of their spears towards him with a vengeance. Sidestepping their attacks he aimed a powerful kick towards the stomach of one of the foxes. The force from his kick sent him flying backwards into the others sending them flying in all directions.

"You have done well Tiger to make it this far," cackled Chan, "but now you have me to deal with."

"Back off mates and leave him to me, commanded Chan drawing his sword, "I'll teach him the true meaning of power."

"Tiger let me help you we can take him on together" yelled Tigress coming to stand beside him.

"Tigress let me handle this, I know I can defeat him" replied Tiger putting a paw on her cheek.

"Just be careful Tiger I would hate to see you hurt," said Tigress gazing into his eyes.

"I promise I'll be careful Tigress," said Tiger taking her paws in his.

"Ah this is all so sweet," Chan retorted, "Can we please get to the fight?"

"If you insist," replied Tiger getting into his stance, "I'm ready whenever you are."

With a snarl Chan lunged towards Tiger the blade of his spear missing him by mere inches as Tiger sidestepped his attack. However the bandit delivered a quick followup that gave him little time to attack. Somersaulting over a low spear swipe Tiger revamped having landed neatly on his feet sending up a light cloud of dust into the air around him and Chan.

Reevaluating his enemy the two circled each other feeling for and testing out the others defences. Although his confidence still held strong and burned within him, Tiger knew now that Chan was not a fox to be trifled with, the leaders eyes glistening crimson with contempt and loathing.

This time it was Tiger who leaned on the offensive as he brought a fist forward to meet with Chans defense. For a time they exchanged blows, deflecting and hitting, dodging and countering like two dancers in an old and intricate dance. Yet only one of them would come out victorious in this match, the other either dead or hurt and probably finished later.

He could feel all eyes on him, Chans' henchmen, Tigress...he lived for the thrill of it all, matching himself against another! Who better than a cruel one such as this scourge, this Chan Li!

As they continued he became more fired up and fueled with purpose as he drove Chan back against the wall of a hovel nearby, some kind of shop or choice market day position coveted by merchants. The fox was literally covering his head with his paws in what looked for all to see like a helpless and hopeless attempt to ward Tiger off.

With a roar Tiger extended himself in that moment, sure that he would and could end Chan in that instant. If only it had been true. If only Chan hadn't been playing acting and running Tigers confidence against him.

Ducking under Tigers' swing at the last moment Chan darted to one side of him, paw on the handgrip of his sword.

Pulling it from it's sheath partway in one swift fluid moment he thwacked the heavy pummel of the handle hard against the back of Tigers head and with a surprised grunt...Tiger's vision went black as darkness took him.

She watched with rising horror knowing in the back of her mind that somehow it couldn't be this easy! Chan wasn't that weak. Heart sinking she saw the foxes trick just as he dealt Tiger the blow that felled him.

Tigress growled in frustration. She had known that they stood a better chance of defeating Chan if they had worked together, but now he had knocked Tiger unconscious and she was left to try and fend him off by herself. I hope the others can get here soon, with Tiger down I don't know if I can defeat Chan by myself.

"Get ready to feel the Thunder," shouted Po as he and the rest of the Furious Five made their way to Tigress.

Excellent timing you guys, thought Tigress to herself as the Po and the others approached.

"Are you ok Tigress?" asked Po, " you look a little worn out"

Po was a panda, a glutinous goofball who had always dreamed of learning Kung Fu. Ever since he was chosen as the Dragon Warrior, Tigress had come to respect him even though he was a little bit of a clown. Gazing upon the the bandits he cracked his knuckles and in a calm and collected tone of voice said, "Ok lets do this."

"Um Guys, I think we're outnumbered here," said Crane in a nervous tone of voice. Crane was a member of the Furious Five and a master of Crane Style Kung Fu. Despite being tall and lanky Crane made up for it with sheer skill.

"It will be ok Crane," said Viper noticing the nervousness in her friends voice, "If we work together I know we can defeat these guys." Viper was considered the peacekeeper of the Furious Five, She was born without venom or joints which made fighting difficult. She overcame these hurdles and trails not only to become

a master, but also to became a member of the Furious Five which over the years and for all intents and purposes felt like her family.

"Ha these guys don't stand a chance, we can take them," said Mantis assuredly chirping with enthusiasm. Mantis was the smallest member of the Furious five and his serious gaze and his one twitching antenna displayed a no nonsense air filled with confidence that was contagious.

"Indeed, there is nothing stronger than the power of our teamwork and friendship," said Monkey with fervor. The primate primed himself, his flame orange pelt slightly raised, every fiber of his hair on end his teeth showing, nostrils flared.

Smashing his fist into the palm of his other hand he realised a slight growl that rumbled deep, not at all like that of a feline, but different and altogether aggressive.

"Attack them" he said simply, the coldness of his voice like a nail, definite and undeniable. So began the battle....it did not last long. The Furious Five and Po overpowered Chan's men, their unconscious bodies lay sprawled out along the ground, their bodies even more battered then they had been previously.

However, aside from being a tad dusty the five were all but untouched and unscathed. Chan seethed backing away from them all his eyes burning utter loathing and hatred at

such a brutal defeat. Thankfully though it had only been a small taste of his designated power.

Tigress could see a deadly glint in his burnish red eyes as he called a retreat to those under his command.

Less of a threat now then would be a horde of baby chicks the vulpines groaned and retreated back and away with their master, limping or staggering along whichever they could manage, each beast panting doggedly and knowing without a doubt that they would be berated miraculously as soon as they returned to their abode out in the boondocks outside of the city. Dread coursed through them at the thought.

Chan for his part leaned on his sword casually an eyebrow raised as his swept back and forth as if sizing them all up and scheming even as they stood there at an impasse silence the rule as they faced off.

Then sheathing his sword he stood back and clapped earning a growl from Tigress at his mockery.

"Well well...I must say I am impressed. Bravo! An honorable and noble victory befitting honorable warriors such as yourselves" he growled his voice dripping with contempt.

"Enough of a fight to have your minions scratching their bandaged pickled heads in wonderment" she growled back her claws ready and itching to sink into the jeering fox. She held back though...knowing that this foe they would have to deal with carefully and with the utmost caution.

"That you did, that you did" he replied his grin becoming dangerous and a slight bit of spittle leaking from his savagely insane grin as it widened.

"However count yourselves lucky upon this day legends as you are" he roared in a slithering silky voice. "I am Chan Li! I am the whisper in the night that you'll have to be wary of from this day forward until this city bows to me. You have won today.." he murmured turning his back and striding casually away at a careless saunter.

"Remember this though my new playmates" he called back. "This game of war and battle is one that I exceed at and in this battle I didn't truly draw my blade. The next time we meet I may be forced to play the game myself along with my merry crew. When I do be ready friends. Be ready...."

Then in a few leaps and bounds and a swirl of his red cloak he was gone leaving the Five staring after him nonplussed at his threat.

Shaking herself Tigress cleared her mind of Chan coming back to reality and remembering her fallen comrade nearby where the other members of the Five were gathering. Chan would have to wait....

Moving to gaze upon him, she noticed his eyes, still disbelieving at what had happened, the bump on his head just visible behind one of his ears and the back of his head. She could tell at a glance that he would live and heal though it would take time. Given time perhaps in a safe place and under their care he'd once again be able to fight.

Leaning over him she placed a paw on his cheek, caressing it gently and meeting his eyes with hers.

"Tiger..you'll be fine. We'll take you back to the Jade Palace and have you fit in no time. Master Shifu will easily heal you."

His eyes focused on her for a brief moment relaxing before he flopped back on the ground, blacking out.

"We'd better get some help" Crane admonished flaring his wings to give the male feline shade.

"Indeed" Monkey chimed in dashing away to get help.

Tigress shivered. This new threat was much like some that she had faced in the past. The difference was that he held so much open scorn and his true prowess still had yet to be completely brought to light.

She knew without a flicker of a doubt that this enemy would be a challenge unlike any they had faced yet.......