Disclaimer: Kung Fu Panda and all related characters are property of DreamWorks productions.
The Berserker Saga reading order:
Daddy-Daughter Issues – One-Shot – Shifu and Tigress have a discussion on the events of KFP2… (Completed)
A Completed Collection – One-Shot – Tigress notices something missing from Po's action figure collection… (Completed)
Father's Day – Two-Parter – Mr. Ping helps teach Shifu to be a better adopted father for Tigress while Tigress goes to Po for help with a gift for Shifu… (completed)
Confidence and Courage – multi-chapter – A horrible "accident" shakes Po's confidence in himself and his Kung Fu… (Complete)
Today is a Gift – multi-chapter – An ancient artifact sends Tigress on an amazing yet horrifying adventure… (In Progress)
Mist of Pandaria - multi-chapter - The Heroes of the Jade Palace receive a call for help that will lead to Po learning far more of his history than he ever thought possible… (Coming soon!)
The Claws of the Berserker – multi-chapter – The Dragon Warrior and the Furious Five face their greatest enemy yet, a monster, a Berserker that does not want power, wealth, or rule, but to watch all of China burn… and why is Master Shifu determined to keep Tigress out of the fight? (Coming soon!)
After the Storm – multi-chapter – the Masters of the Jade Palace and the Valley of Peace try to heal the physical and emotional wounds left by the Berserker… (Coming soon!)
-KFP-
Smoke bellowed from the Lee Jun-Fan Fighting Academy. Most of the students of the school had already fled from what they all thought were bandits, only the young Grandmaster Mei Ling stayed behind to fight the true attacker.
"I don't know who you are, but nobody attacks my school," the mountain cat snarled at the armored tiger standing among the flames.
"I commend your courage, child," the tiger stated in a crisp accent as Shen and a small group of others in similar black armor surrounded them. "There are few left in China willing to face death in combat."
"Shall we dispose of this one for you, Lord?" Shen asked, eyeing Mei Ling.
"No, she wishes to fight me and has proven she is no coward," the tiger growled, crouching into a fighting stance. "She has courage, so she shall have her wish granted."
She released a short feral growl as she jumped toward the Tiger with a flurry of punches and kicks, which the massive wall of stripped muscle blocked with ease. After several moments of furious attacks she finally got a jab into the tiger-shaped faceplate of his helmet that sent his head and body turning. She took a step back into a defensive poster when the tiger began to tremble. Her eyes widened when the monster began to laugh. And Mei Ling could safely say it was the most frightening sound she had ever had the displeasure of hearing in her young life. It sounded like a horrible laugh of an angry clown mixed with a demon.
She had little time to think about when the Tiger came around and struck her with the back of his huge paw. She yelped from the pain of the impact and hit the ground with such force it knocked the air from her lungs. She coughed and spat out blood as she stood on her hands and knees. Her eyes widened slightly when she spotted one of her fangs and a couple other teeth laying in the puddle of saliva and blood.
She managed to pull herself back to her feet; her green scarf blowing in the wind from her neck as she glared at the attacker. "Ok… guess I've had enough of a warm up…" She said wiping her bloodied lip and began to bounce from one foot to the other.
"Indeed…" the tiger laughed, motioning for her to 'come on'.
Mei Ling rushed forward throwing her left fist toward the tiger, but gasped and yelped in pain as his fist hit her with an upper cut just under the ribs. Her eyes and mouth were wide as she struggled for air. That battle continued for her as the Tiger moved in, a lighting fast kick to her right flank, followed by two more shots to the ribs from his massive paws. He finally took her off her feet with a hard upper cut to the chin.
Mei Ling laid on her back struggling for breath. Blood slide from the corner of her mouth down her cheek as she struggled to breathe with multiple broken ribs. "I see why you were made the Grandmaster of this school, Mei Ling," the tiger said, standing over her. "You are an exceptional fighter. I am honored to fight you."
"Even if you finish me off…" Mei Ling wheezed, glaring up at the tiger. "The Furious Five and the Dragon Warrior will stop you…"
"I'm aware of the eventuality of our meeting, Grandmaster," the Tiger stated with a chuckle. "I have plans for each of them. The feathers of a Crane would really set off my armor, don't you think?"
Mei Ling's eyes widened in a mix of anger and horror.
"Mmmm that's it, Mei Ling, do you feel the rage inside you?" the Tiger smiled down at the enraged mountain cat. "Use it and you might just have a chance from stopping me. I admit I do have reservations on fighting some of the Champions of the Jade Palace, Master Tigress is legendary for her fierceness, and the Dragon Warrior has a name for beating the odds, but you just fought me… do you honestly believe that Crane-Style would be any defense against me? Should I be allowed to face him you know the outcome already, don't you?"
Mei Ling struggled to get back to all fours, and then shakily stood upright. She said nothing as she clinched her bloodied teeth and snarled. With a feral roar she dove at her attacker.
Her green scarf fluttered to the ground after the final blow…
Master Oogway's voice: "There is a saying… Yesterday is history… Tomorrow is a mystery… but today…
Today is a Gift
That's why they call it the present…"
Tick Tock hear the clock count down
Wish the minute hand could be rewound
So much to do and so much I need to say
Will tomorrow be too late?
Feel the moment slip into the past
Like sand through the hour glass
In the madness I guess I just forgot
To do all the things I said
Time passes by
Never thought I'd wind up
One step behind
Now I've made my mind up
Today! I'm going to try a little harder
Gonna make every minute last longer
Gonna learn to forgive and forget
Cause we don't have long
Gotta make the most of it
Today! I'm gonna love my enemies
Today! Reach out to someone who needs me
Make a change
Make the world a better place
Cause tomorrow could be one day too late…
Skillet - "One Day Too Late"
Chapter 1: If Tomorrow Never Comes
Tigress' skin crawled as she walked beside Po and Grandmaster Shifu into the Village she had hoped to never lay eyes on again. "We give the message and leave," Shifu stated, as if he read his adopted daughter's mind. "Then we never have to even think of this place again."
Shifu led the two warriors straight to the elders' hut and entered without so much of a knock. "Grandmaster Shifu! Master Tigress… D-Dragon Warrior?" the elders looked incredibly nervous as they entered. "What… a surprise. What do we owe the honor?"
"There is no honor here," Shifu snapped as Tigress and Po stood to the back and he stomped toward the table, not dignifying them with any respectful words or bows.
"Do you have questions about our deal, Grandmaster?" the pig asked as the rabbit and sheep gave nervous glances to one another.
"Oh, actually I have a new deal…" Shifu gave a small smile. "One that I believe everyone in this village will like to hear about…" He said, "Come with me…" He said turning and walking back toward his students.
The elders and town people gathered around as Shifu walked up to the memorial for Bao. "We had an encounter with Lord Shen recently," Shifu stated, looking at the memorial. "What he told us… Elders… was quite… enlightening."
"I… I…" the elder pig mumbled as the other two elders looked sickly pale.
"The Dragon Warrior was NEVER at fault for Bao's death, he was in fact murdered," Shifu stated, glaring daggers at the elders. "Lord Shen told us a great deal when he thought were about to be killed…" Shifu gave a deep frown to the three. Po and Tigress noticed a few other nervous expressions in the crowd, but felt relief when they saw nothing but pain and shock from the boy's father's face.
"Grandmaster Shifu, surely you wouldn't believe anyone from this village would sell out the life of a child!" the Elder Rabbit said quickly.
"Huh… I hadn't gotten to that part yet, Elder…" Shifu narrowed his eyes.
The rabbit squeaked as the two other elders glared daggers at him.
"Lord Shen gave no names I'm afraid," Shifu said, "And because of that this village and the people there in are now no longer considered a part of the Valley of Peace. You will receive no aid in the form of food, supplies or protection from the Jade Palace or its allies. The Furious Five will not come to your aid unless it is a threat to the entire Valley."
"In other words…" Tigress snarled at the group. "You're on your own."
Shocked voices and mutters erupted throughout the village square.
Po walked up to the saddened father of Bao, and went down on one knee. "If you'd like, you're welcome to move to the Valley of Peace. I… I'd like to, ya know, help you out if it's cool…"
"I was leading the pack wanting your death… how can you forgive me?" the rabbit asked, looking up into the Panda's eyes.
"Just how I am," Po shrugged, "Of course you'll be living at the Jade Palace and all, which is still kinda busted up but we're hoping to get it back up and runnin' soon."
"I… I thank you Dragon Warrior…" the rabbit bowed deeply.
"It's the least I can do… it was set up to hurt me…" Po glanced away, "So in a way it was still my fault… I'm so… so sorry…"
"Thank you again…" the bunny bowed, and Po returned it.
"Dragon Warrior, it is time to go," Shifu stated where he stood next Master Tigress.
The three left the village after Bao's father told them that he would be coming with his wife shortly after.
Most of the trip was in silence when Po finally spoke up. "Was that really… ya know, the right thing to do, Master Shifu?"
"What do you mean, Po?" Tigress asked, glancing at her friend.
"Well… ya know… what if they all get in trouble… what if they need help? Are we really just going to turn our backs on them?" Po asked.
"Po… they set you up for murder… they were planning to have you executed…" Tigress said to him slowly.
"So? I mean… maybe they had good reason…" Po glanced away, hugging himself, "maybe I dunno… maybe Shen forced them or something…"
"I could tell by the elders' actions and some of the crowd, Shen didn't have to twist their arms too hard," Tigress stated, "And if they were willing to sell out a child, Po, who knows what else they're capable of…"
"I know… I know, but I mean… they said Tai Lung couldn't turn good again," Po shrugged, "He's turned around pretty good…"
"You don't want me on that topic, Panda…" Tigress growled and glanced away.
"This was the only way, it's not like we counter attacked and burned the village, Po," Shifu said, "I wish them luck but we can't trust them now. I wish there was another way but it doesn't work like that."
"I… I know, Master but it… it still feels… wrong…" Po sighed, and jerked slightly when Tigress placed a hand on his shoulder. "What?"
"Don't ever change, Panda…" She said, smiling softly, and the two stopped walking and seemed to get lost in each other's eyes.
"AHEM…" Shifu cleared his throat from several paces ahead.
Po and Tigress took several steps away and occupied themselves with the first thing they could find. Shifu ear twitched a moment before he turned and kept walking.
The rest of the walk was made in an incredibly awkward silence all the way back to the Jade Palace which had since began being repaired from Shen's attack. Most of the outside was covered by wooden frames and ladders as workers continued to patch and work.
The three entered to find the rest of the Five and Tai Lung taking a break from the repairs over plates of stir-fried tofu. "Just in time, Tigress, it's your favorite," Viper said motioning to the plates.
Tigress' eyes light up at her favorite dish. "Tai Lung made it; he's as good with stir-fry as Po is with noodles," Mantis stated.
Tigress' features immediately hardened. "Not hungry."
"Don't be like that, Tigress," Crane encouraged, but the tiger just turned to prepare her own food.
"Don't even try to get through to her," Tai Lung said, pointing his chopsticks toward her back as Po and Shifu took a seat and plate. "Rumbles has always been stubborn."
Tigress whole body stiffened and her tail jerked agitatedly. "Rumbles?" Po asked as the rest of the Five looked at Tai Lung curiously.
"Rumbles… I had almost forgotten about that…" Shifu laughed softly.
"Rumbles? I don't get it?" Mantis tilted his head.
"How goes the repairs?" Tigress asked quickly, sitting down at the table.
"It's going ok… what are you talking about Rumbles?" Viper asked, glancing away from Tigress back to Tai Lung.
Only Tai Lung noticed the cold fury building in Tigress' eyes, instead of being fearful, the snow leopard reclined in his seat and smiled at her.
"That's the nickname Tai Lung called Master Tigress when she was a cub," Shifu explained, and Tigress gave her master a look that screamed 'how could you betray me?'
"Still don't get it…" Po looked curiously at Tigress, and as she noticed this an odd horror filled her core.
Tai Lung laughed heartedly, "She mustn't purr much anymore… you'd know what we mean if she did…"
"Tigress… purr?" Po looked at Tigress like she was suddenly a total stranger.
"Yes!" Tai Lung laughed, "Back when she was small if you just THOUGHT about her she'd somehow sense it and start purring… LOUDLY." Tai Lung looked at the trembling tiger, "I swear you could FEEL it in the floors and walls two rooms away."
Shifu laughed, "It was rather adorable, I could hear her happy purrs all the way to the master bedchamber…" he smiled lovingly at his adopted daughter. Too bad she was too busy glaring daggers at the snow leopard.
"Has she purred for you yet, Dragon Warrior?" Tai Lung smiled knowingly at Tigress while speaking to Po. "If not, I expect it soon."
"RAAAAAH!" Tigress roared as she jumped across the table, open paws going for Tai Lung's throat.
Tai Lung knew it was coming.
With his good paw he caught both of her wrists and held her up. "How many times must you attempt it before you learn a frontal assault never works with me, baby sister?" Tai Lung smiled, and pure horror washed through her as his other hand moved to a spot she knew only he knew of…
"No… NO!" She yelled as his claws softly grazed through the fur in the bends of her legs just behind her knees. Tigress released a sound none of the five or Po had heard from her maw before… a squeal.
Tigress squirmed, growled and struggled to fight off the giggles and laughter as Tai Lung's claws tormented her one ticklish spot mercilessly.
"Say it and I'll let you go," Tai Lung offered, tilting his head at her.
"No…" She growled, trembling and writhing in his grasp.
"Say, Ge-Ge, you are the number one greatest in all of China…" Tai Lung stated, "I've missed hearing that…"
"NO!" Tigress burst from his grasp and backflipped across the table. "YOU NO LONGER HAVE THAT RIGHT! NEVER AGAIN!" She screamed at him, raw hatred radiating from her eyes. "You gave that up when you betrayed Master Shifu, Master Oogway… and me…" She glared around at the five warriors and her adopted father. "And look at all of you, just having a happy time eating and laughing together. Have you forgotten what he did? He tried to destroy the Valley… TWICE! He tried to kill each of us and we just treat him like a long lost friend. Am I the only one here not INSANE?"
"Tigress… Mei Ren," Po said, stepping up to the growling tiger, "He's changed. He has. And he is trying to make amends for what he's done. None of us have forgotten. Especially not me, Shifu, or Tai Lung himself… would it be so bad to forgive him?"
Tigress glared at the panda in a way she hadn't since he had first arrived at Jade Palace. "Yes…" she growled softly, before running from the room.
A pin drop could be heard around the table as they all sat and awkwardly glanced at each other. "The Ge-Ge thing might have been a hair too far…" Tai Lung whispered awkwardly.
"Ya think, big guy?" Mantis asked.
Shifu stood from the table, "I'll go speak with her," he said hopping down from his seat. The aged Grandmaster walked out of the palace on to the small wooded grotto in the rear of the palace where ironwood trees grew tall and strong. "Wasn't that a bit over the top back there?" Shifu asked, sitting on the ground lotus style near where she was going through katas against a group of trees.
Tigress ignored him and continued hitting the trees with all her strength. "If he wanted revenge he certainly has passed up many opportunities to do so…"
"He's biding his time," Tigress growled out, placing a large dent in one tree.
"Have you contemplated that maybe he has changed and wishes for redemption?" Shifu asked.
"Have you contemplated that maybe he hasn't?" Tigress asked.
"Yes, and I am confident that the Dragon Warrior would yet again stop him if that was the case," Shifu replied.
"You give the Panda too much credit," Tigress growled.
"You give him too little," Shifu countered.
"Maybe I've given you too little," Tigress turned her glare on him. "He was your son, your first adopted child… Your golden child. You're probably all excited to have him back. He's already chummy with the rest of the Five."
"Mei Ren…" Shifu started.
"You've probably already made arrangements to get me married off and out of the way, haven't you?" She narrowed her eyes. Shifu choked on his own air.
"That is ENOUGH!" Shifu stood up and pounded the end of his staff on the ground. Tigress immediately fell quiet. "Yes, Tai Lung is my first child. Yes, Tai Lung is my son. But you, Mei Ren Shifu, are my daughter, my beloved daughter. I've tried the last few weeks to make you realize that I love you. I do. And I will not let you lose yourself to your anger and distrust of Tai Lung. I am watching him, as are the rest of the Five and the Dragon Warrior. But he has changed and we are willing to give him a chance."
He walked up and took her hand in his own. "Mei Ren, you cannot let this bitterness and anger grow unchecked… I have both of my children home… I don't wish for Tai Lung to go back to the darkness… and I don't want you to fall into it."
Shifu let go of her hand and turned away. "My highest concern is not with Tai Lung… There are no accidents, Tigress. Tai Lung has returned to us for a reason. We are more powerful than we ever been. This tells me… something is coming. Something that will require more defense than we've ever had before… this… highly concerns me."
"Grandmaster!" Shifu and Tigress looked up as Zeng flew down toward them.
"What's wrong?" Shifu asked as Tigress walked up behind the two.
"Message from the Chang Providence," Zeng replied handing Shifu a scroll.
Shifu unrolled the scroll and after reading it a moment he turned to Tigress. "Gather the Five and the Dragon Warrior. I'll meet you at the gate."
-KFP-
Po, Tai Lung, and the Furious Five quickly met up with Shifu at the front gate of the Jade Palace. "What's up, Master Shifu?" Po asked.
Shifu glanced around the group, his eyes focusing on Crane a moment before glancing down at the scroll in his hands.
"There's been attack… the Lee Jun-Fan Academy has been devastated…" Shifu said, and Crane took a harsh breath.
"Mei Ling…" Crane breathed as he began to tremble.
"I'm sure she's ok," Viper said comfortingly.
"Yeah, as awesome as Master Mei Ling is, I'm sure she's already stopped the bandits in their tracks," Po grinned, and while Crane nodded he couldn't force away the feeling of dread.
"Dragon Warrior, Furious Five, you'll go check the status of the Academy and see how you can support them, Tai Lung and I will remain and defend the Valley in your stead." Shifu ordered.
"Let's move," Tigress took off on all four, followed quickly by the others.
"All right!" Po grinned and started to run, only to trip and tumble down the long stairs toward the village.
-KFP-
"Oh man…" Po whispered, glancing at the burnt out husk of the academy. "Crane…" Po whispered as he and the rest of the five glanced to their avian ally.
"No… she's gotta be ok…" Crane said, shaking his head, taking flight so quickly lost his hat. "MEI LING!" He called flying into the school.
"Split up and look for anyone or signs of who did this," Tigress ordered Po and the rest of the Five. They all nodded and entered the ruins.
Tigress kept an eye on her friend. She understood the pain she saw in Crane's eyes. Memories surfaced of watching Shen's evil smile, Po's helpless scream as the canon ball collided with his belly, sending him flying out of her reach. She paused and closed her eyes, forcing the painful memories back inside the little box in her mind.
"NO!" She heard Crane's painful cry, "Oh no, no, no, please, gods, NO!" He said crouching down to the ground.
"Crane, what is… oh my…" Tigress paused when she saw him lifting the slightly torn scarf she recognized as Mei Ling's, and his eyes were focused on a dried puddle of blood with a feline fang on the floor.
"I'm so sorry…" Tigress placed a hand on the bird's back.
"No… it wasn't supposed to end like this…" Crane shook his head, tears rolling down his beak. "I had so much I had to tell her… so much she did for me… it wasn't supposed to be like this…"
"Score!" Crane and Tigress looked up to see the crocodile bandit Fong holding up a box of gold. "Oh… uh… hi, guys…" Fong waved awkwardly at the two. "I'll just be… uh… going now…" He said before he took off running.
"COWARDLY VULTURE!" Tigress roared as she ran after the bandit.
"Like, are you blind or something?" Fong called behind him, "I'm like a croc, not a bird…"
Po looked up as the pair ran past him. "Tigress! Wait up!" he said running after them.
Fung panted as he was barely able to stay ahead of the Kung Fu Master. 'Place to hide, place to hide, place to hide… BINGO!' he spotted a small cave and ran as fast as he could toward it.
"Tigress! Wait! Don't rush after him alone!" Po called, gasping for breath as she ran into the cave after him. "Wait for the others! TIGRESS!" Po called stopping for breath just outside the cave as Tigress shot in after the bandit.
The front of the cave was like any other typical cave but once they got closer the walls were more carved and shaped. "An old temple?" Tigress asked, slowing and glancing around. The cave led to a large open chamber, a single bridge over a large pool with a large statue of a monkey holding an hourglass at the far end. She read the inscription underneath the monkey statue which read "Sheng Houzi De".
"GOT YOU NOW!" Fong called out, in a desperation tackle knocking them both into the pool.
"What are you doing, you idiot?" Tigress growled as they both surfaced.
"Trying to like not die," Fung replied, "huh, why's the water bubbling?" He asked, and the two looked around in confusion. "That not a good thing?"
"I don't… think so…" Tigress replied as light seemed to be coming from the bottom of the pool. Before either could react they were both blinded by a brilliant flash.
-KFP-
"My head…" Tigress moaned as she sat up and rubbed her throbbing head. She blinked when she opened her eyes and saw the rising sun. "Wha? I was in a cave with that bandit…" She spoke out loud and glanced around. Her eyes widened when she realized she wasn't in a cave, but at the Pool of Sacred Tears. "How'd I get here?"
"Oh, Ha, Ha, nice prank guys," Tigress shook her head as she pulled herself to her feet and dusted off her uniform. "Mantis? Monkey? Po?" She called out. "Viper? Is this really appropriate with Crane as upset as he is? Guys?"
"Idiots probably left me out here all night… I am so going to hit them…" Tigress popped her knuckles before dropping to all fours and started her run home.
Even with her speed and stamina the journey from the Sacred Pool to the Jade Palace was a day long journey. But as she rounded the final mountain before the Valley of Peace, Tigress froze in step. "What?" She stood up and took an unstable step on the trail. "What happened?" She asked her wide eyes staring at the massive fortress-like city where the village and Jade Palace was supposed to be.
She quickly made her way to the wall and effortlessly scaled the wall and climbed over into the dirty streets. There wasn't a soul out. Never has Tigress felt this confused or lost. She looked up the mountain and at least saw that the Jade Palace hadn't changed, but was completely restored, but with higher walls. "Master Shifu will tell me what happened…" She said starting to walk toward the stairs.
"Wha?" She froze when she found Mr. Ping's noodle shop, or what used to be the noodle shop. "What… What happened?" only the outer gate and a few tables remained, the actual building had been burnt to the ground.
"Another straggler out after curfew…" a growling voice spoke from the shadows, "Father will be pleased…" Tigress turned quickly and barely got her arm up to block an attack. Her eyes widened at the lion with a dark red mane in dark robes.
"Who are you, what did you do to the Valley?" Tigress asked doing a spin kick, catching the lion off guard.
"Oh, you know Kung Fu? Finally a challenge," the Lion growled with a smile.
The two exchanged attacks, and Tigress was impressed with the Lion's use of tiger-style kung fu.
"Having trouble, Master Lion?" a familiar voice spoke, and Tigress turned to see a much longer and larger Viper flying toward her head. "Tigress?" Viper's eyes widened, and Tigress barely was able to side step. Viper was too surprised to catch herself, and slammed into the younger lion.
"Viper? What happened to you? What happened to the village? What is going on?" Tigress asked as Viper and the Lion began to shake the cobwebs out.
Their eyes widened in fear when another voice spoke from around the corner. "You idiots can't even handle one stray? I didn't let you stay here to lose."
Tigress froze. It sounded like him but again it didn't. She turned and saw him. The large Panda stood tall in dark robes and a dark green sash across his shoulders. He wasn't like most would imagine a panda, he was rather fit and muscular, and his face was cold and emotionless, as was his green eyes.
"Please forgive us, Dragon Warrior," Viper ducked her head, "but it's not just any stray, Lord…"
"They either obey my laws or they're strays, there's no grey area." The Panda growled angrily.
"Po?" Tigress asked softly in confusion, but gasped when his large dark paw grabbed her by the front of her vest and lifted her off the ground.
"THAT NAME IS FORBIDDEN!" the panda growled hatefully, glaring into her eyes. "To mention THAT name is to forfeit your own life. Or are you too stupid to know the laws around here?"
"What? What happened to you? It's me…" Tigress forced out, looking into who she believed was her friend's eyes.
He stared for a moment before his hard features seemed to relax. "Mei… Mei Ren?"
"Yes, it's me…" Tigress nodded and the panda sat her down and took a few timid steps back. "But… but how?"
"That's what I want to know…" Tigress said, shaking her head with a lost expression.
"You've been dead for fifteen years…" Po breathed, and Tigress glanced up for a moment, then looked at the curious Lion and confused Viper.
"Fifteen… fifteen years?" She asked in a mix of awe and horror.
To Be Continued…