The Countdown

Broken Deal

49 days and counting....

Kai and Po headed up the rocky slope with Tigress still unconscious in the bull's arms. Po, having done a lot of running for almost eight years was in pretty good shape to climb a steep slope, but after having just climbed up and down a large mountain, running back to the panda village, and then fighting off Jade Warriors and running into Kai, he was exhausted to the point of collapse. Hearing the panda start wheezing, Kai turned his head around and gave him a grin. "Tired, Almighty Dragon Warrior?" he taunted.

Po gave him a look. "Hey, you made me climb a mountain to get back to the village," he reminded him. "Don't try to make fun of my soreness."

Kai stifled a laugh. "You climbed?" he asked in amusement. "You're a panda!"

"Yeah, I'm aware of that...."

As the two continued to head up the mountain, a pained moan could be heard and Po glanced over to see Tigress finally beginning to stir. "What on earth did you do to her?!" he demanded.

"You'll know once you and I start...talking," Kai promised. "She'll be fine though. Just give her a moment to get what's left of her strength back."

The two continued to head up the mountain with Tigress squirming awake, initially just groaning and muttering things that neither guy could understand. Po glanced down towards the bottom of the mountain where the villagers were fighting, unable to tell which side was winning. A few more minutes, he promised them mentally. Then you guys can take a break. Get some of your strength back.

Tigress let out a more audible groan from the front, and the Dragon Warrior swung his head around to see her. He saw her eyes open up, the look on her face one of complete confusion and discombobulation. She looked very concerned and tired, but she didn't move too much, so Po figured she was too exhausted to do so.

"Tigress?" Po called over, trying to get closer to the master. "Tigress, are you okay?"

Tigress weakly turned her head, barely managing to catch a glimpse of her friend since Kai was holding her upfront with one arm.

"P-po?" she asked in slight surprise. "What....what's...going on?"

"He's agreed to a deal," Kai informed her slyly. "Thanks to your wonderful assistance."

"A...deal? What...deal?"

"I'll tell you when we reach the temple," Po assured her. "Just take it easy and save your strength for later."

"I...plan...on it," Tigress muttered, leaning limply against Kai with a sense of helplessness.

The warriors continued up the mountain, Po glancing up every once in a while to see how close they were to the temple near the top. He was still sore from his arduous climb up the mountain, but he knew he'd have to press on in order follow Kai and confront him. As they drew closer to the top, he glanced back down at the fighting and said, "Hey! You said you'd stop the fight half-way! I haven't pulled any tricks! Now stop it!"

Kai glanced at him with a nasty smile. "You're quite right, Dragon Warrior," he replied, his pendent glowing. "A deal is a deal."

Suddenly, the noise of the fighting died down and Po looked to see the Jade Warriors standing at attention, awaiting a new commandment.

"Thank you," Po said firmly. "Now, lets move on then...."

The three finally reached the top of the mountain where a large, golden and jade temple loomed within the confines of the mountain's peak.