This is my first Kung Fu Panda story, so I'm sorry if I get one or two things wrong. I decided to write this after seeing the movie a couple of times...Ok, I've seen it 6 times.

So sue me.

I own Master Koizumi!

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Summary:When a strange creature appears at the Jade Palace, Shifu, Po, and the Furious Five learn that Tai Lung is back. It is now up to Shifu to perfect the newcomer's Kung Fu skills and have him ready to help fight Tai Lung when the time comes. Can Shifu traiin the newcomer to help fight Tai Lung when the time comes? Or has he finally met his match by this cocky new Master?

Chapter one: Nightmares...

Master Shifu pushed the doors of the Jade Palace open and walked out into the sunshine. In the corner of the training courtyard, Po was sparring with Monkey, whilst Crane, Tigress, Viper and Mantis stood nearby watching. Shifu walked down the stairs, smiling as he watched the giant panda block and dodge blows from Monkey's bamboo stick. He had trained the Dragon Warrior well, and was very proud of it...even though some of the panda's moves were still a little sloppy.

As he approached, Mantis, Tigress, Viper and Crane bowed respectfully, and Monkey and Po stopped sparring and did the same. "Master..."

Shifu bowed his head, and turned to Po. "Very good, Dragon Warrior." he said smiling. "Your blocking is excellent, but you need to work on your attack. It is still a bit sloppy."

Po stared at the Kung Fu master for a few seconds before frowning. "You...think my moves are sloppy?!" he growled, taking a step forward.

Shifu raised an eyebrow, looking up into the panda's face. "Now Po. I've told you--" he cried out in suprise as Po's face contorted into a grimace, and his features started to melt. The red panda watched, wide eyed and his mouth hanging open. He looked desperatly at The Furious Five. They stood with their hands behind their backs. "You have failed us." Tigress whispered. "You have failed the Dragon Warrior!" her body started to bubble and melt, making Shifu cry out again and reach for her, but he froze as Monkey, Viper, Crane, and Mantis's bodies did the same, melting like ice in the hot sun.

Shifu watched in horror as the Dragon Warrior and the Furious Five were reduced to coloured puddles on the ground. He was about to step forward when the the sun disappeared behind the clouds, covering the training courtyard in dark shadow. The red panda glanced up at the sky, before returning his gaze to the puddles before him. He watched with a horrified expression on his face as they started to ripple and thicken, moving together and rising off the ground, forming a strange shape.

The red panda stepped back as the shape towered above him, slowly taking form. It had a tall body and large muscular arms. A tail sprouted from the pants, and a head slowly appeared, followed by small ears. Gray fur grew from the body, forming a spotted coat of grey and yellow. Fangs grew from the creatures bottom jaw, sticking over his top lip, and a low growl formed in its throat.

Shifu's heart leapt into his throat as the creature opened its eyes. They were a blazing orange colour, and full of hate, peircing the darkness. Shifu recognised those eyes straight away. It was Tai Lung.

The red panda watched in horror as the snow lepard slowly straightened up to his full height, wincing as he heard the large cat's bones cracking as he moved.

Tai Lung glared down at Shifu. "Suprised to see me, Master?" he asked, his voice dripping with dry sarcasm.

Shifu's jaw moved, but no words came out. He still couldn't believe his eyes. What had happened to his beloved students?! Slowly, he looked up to face Tai Lung. "You...You have no right to be here." he croaked.

The snow leopard flicked his tail, smiling evilly. "Don't worry Shifu. I won't be here long. I only came back to finish what I started all those years ago." he leapt forward, ramming his knee into Shifu's ribs. The red panda flew backwards and rolled arcoss the hard ground. When he came to a stop, he clutched his side and slowly pulled himself to his feet, panting.

Tai Lung flattened his ears against his head and he dropped to all fours, running full speed at the Kung Fu Master, his feet barely touching the ground.

Shifu watched out of the corner of his eye, waiting for the right moment to strike.

Tai Lung leapt forward, arms reaching for him. Just as he was about to collide with his old Master, Shifu struck out with a hard kick to the large cat's face, sending him flying backwards. The red panda watched him hit the wall on the far side of the coutryard, before dropping to his knees and clutching his side again as a wave of pain ran over his ribs.

Tai Lung pulled himself out of the wall, eyes blazing with rage. He saw the red panda doubled over and saw his chance. He ran forward and leapt into the air.

Shifu looked up weakly, and his head jerked to the side as Tai Lung's claws met with his cheek, leaving deep scratches, and sending him sprawling onto the ground. Before the red panda could climb to his feet, Tai Lung pinned him to the ground with a large hand."It's nearly over, Shifu." he growled in his ear.

The red panda winced as he felt the snow leopard's claws digging into his back. "Is it?" he challenged, turning his head to frown at him.

The snow leopard narrowed his eyes. "Yes." he threw Shifu into the air and leapt up, kicking him hard in the back. Shifu cried out in pain, but spun himself around so that he was facing Tai Lung. He thrust his open palms forward, shooting a blast of energy at the large cats chest.

Tai Lung dodged the blast and leapt towards Shifu. The red panda's eyes widened as the large cat's hand wrapped around his throat, squeezing tightly.

Shifu brought his tiny hands to Tai Lung's, tugging hard and trying to pull the large cat's hand off him, but the snow leopard only tightened his grip, making Shifu cough.

"Did you really think that you could beat me?" Tai Lung growled, holding Shifu in front of his face.

The red panda didn't say anything. He was still trying to break Tai Lung's grip on his throat.

"I didn't think so." the snow leopard pulled his arm back and threw his old Master at the ground. The red Panda hit the dirt with a sickening thump, and layed there motionless. Tai Lung dove head first towards him, arm outstretched in front on fim, and his hand curled into a large fist. He let out a loud roar as his fist collided with Shifu's tiny body, pushing him into the dirt, the force of the blow making a large crater and sending dust flying everywhere.

As the dust slowly cleared, Tai Lung pulled himself out of the hole in the ground and glared down at Shifu. The red panda lay at the bottom of the crater, his arms and legs bent at odd angles, and his breath coming in ragged bursts. He knew this was the end. Tai Lung had beaten him. He looked up at the large cat through half closed eyes. He had raised him from a cub, taught him everything he knew, but he never knew that it would end like this.

Tai Lung leapt down into the crater and landed behind him in a crouch, before walking towards him on all fours. "I told you this was the end." he whispered. He raised a hand, claws extended, and brought it down across Shifu's body.

"Shifu! Master Shifu!!"

Shifu was jerked from his nightmare by someone pounding on his bedroom door, and he sat up, breathing rapidly and clutching his chest. His eyes darted around the room, and he quickly ran his hands over his face, ears, arms and chest. He even threw the blankets off him and felt his legs and tail.

Yes. He was all there. There was no blood. No scratches.

Sighing, he closed his eyes and flopped back down onto his bed. Curse these stupid nightmares! he thought angrily. Ever since Tai Lung had been defeated, his dreams had been plagued by nightmares involving his old student, and he had no idea why. The only thing he did know, was that it was driving him crazy, and he was sick and tired of waking up in a cold sweat.

He jumped as the banging resumed on his door. "Master! Are you in there? Master Shifu!"

Shifu rolled his eyes. That voice was all too familiar. It was Po.

Grunting in annoyance, he pulled himself off his bed and crossed the room. "Yes Po. What it it?" he asked, throwing the doors open.

Po's eyes were wide, and he was bouncing on the spot and wringing his hands together. "MasterShifu!There'sastrangecreatureoutinthe--"

"Po! Slow down. I can't understand a word your saying!"

Po stared at the red panda before taking a deep breath. "There's a strange looking creature out in the training courtyard!" he said, pointing in the direction of the door.

Shifu's eyes widened. "What?"

"I've never seen one before! It kinda looks like you, but its not. And...Its all covered in blood!"

Shifu's ears pricked up at hearing this. "Well don't just stand there, Panda! This creature needs medical attention!" he squeezed past Po's chubby stomach and headed down the corridor. "Where are the Five? Have you told them about this?"

Po nodded. "They're out in the courtyard. Viper told me to come and get you." he followed the older Master around a corner and down another corridor.

"And you didn't tell her to get bandages?!" Shifu barked, shaking his head at the panda. When he reached the doors of the training courtyard, he pushed them open and stepped outside into the sunlight. His eyes landed on The Five standing at the far side of the courtyard, and he quickened his pace to a run.

The Five parted as he approached, and they stood in silence as they watched their Master skid to a hault .

The red panda's eyes moved over the creature's body. There were three large scratches on its side, and Shifu recognised a bite mark on its lower leg. Blood was dribbling out of the wounds, staining the creature's grey and white fur with red, and there were multiple smaller scratches covering its body. The creature wore no clothing except for a bright red scarf around its neck, but Shifu couldn't help but wonder if it was red because of the blood.

A small silence passed, and the red panda reached out and pressed two fingers to the side of the creatures neck. He could feel a pulse...A very weak pulse. He instantly turned to Viper. "Bring bandages to Po's room at once." he instructed.

"Yes Master." Viper slid towards the Jade Palace and disappeared inside.

Po looked at Shifu uncomfortably. "Umm...Master. Why does he have to go in my room?"

Shifu glared up at the panda. "You found him." he replied simply. "Now get him inside."

Po nodded, bending down and scooping the strange creature up in his arms before following Shifu towards the Jade Palace.

There's the first chappy.

Hope you enjoy...

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