Authors Note:
Welp here's my first KFP Fan Fic. Been crafting this one for a while now. Several sleepless nights and pots of coffee later I've got a marginally passable work. Let me know what you think! I've read quite a few Kung Fu Panda Fan fics and thought I'd take a slightly different approach. The timeline takes place after KFP 2 and presumably season 3 of LOA. I'm not one to spoil plot details so you'll have to read it to find out more.
Prologue
A New Foe?
The snow swept through the desolate peeks as though it were the appendages of some unseen specter lurking in the lifeless grey above. "Sixteen days!" A Rhino guard grumbled as he propped his haggard snow blown body against his halberd. "Aw lighten up will ya we've got a very important job to do up here!" "Ha Important!? My bodies nearly frozen, my horn looks like an ice pop, plus I'm stuck at this outpost with Mrs. Sunshine for sixteen days!" The guards younger compatriot looked up with a stupid reassuring grin. "Come on Geng. Checkers wasn't made for one person." "I'd rather freeze than play a stupid board gam…." "Quite both of you! We're not alone." Both Rhinos turned their attention toward a silhouette on a nearby ledge enveloped in the growing blizzard. "Master Yue, with all do respect, no one in their right mind would be out here." The blizzard broke just enough to reveal a statuesque red crowned crane perched upon the ledge, draped in a luminous emerald cheongsam. "I instructed both of you to shut up! Get ready…I don't think their here to say hello." "Sheesh somebody woke up on the wrong side of the nest…" The younger Rhino snickered as both guards readied themselves for battle.
Master Ming-Yue struggled to maintain her composure. Being ordered to stand watch over the Northern Territories with these two imbecilic Rhino Guards was infuriating and a clear misuse of her exceptional fighting abilities. Despite her misgivings she knew that an order from the imperial family was an order not to be taken lightly. Still they could've at least supplied me with adequate fighters.
Earlier, Imperial Palace, Peking: "Guard the Northern Region at all costs." Those were the explicit instructions of Chancellor Zhun liaison to the Emperor, and a skilled tactician in his own right. The frail Flying Fox studied Master Ming-Yue while contemplating their course of action, chewing on his tobacco pipe. "We've reason to believe a plot is underway to seize control of the Northern Region and depose our beloved Emperor." "Great Chancellor Zhun there hasn't been any activity there for over 100 years." "I'm aware of that dear Master Yue, but our scouts in the region have all but vanished aside from one too terrified to recount what had occurred." "Then how…." "Patience dear master I was just getting to that." Zhun emptied a pouch of tobacco into the pipe taking a protracted drag. The thick smoke began to irritate her sharp nasal passages. "Excuse me dear Master, it's a horrible habit I know…but it helps calm this old man's nerves." The red crowned crane remained at attention without the faintest objection to the old flying foxes practice. "Like I said or rather implied we did receive a message accompanying the dismayed scout. The note explicitly stated our beloved Emperor must concede the northern regions including the Pamir Mountains or face civil war and certain death." Ming-Yue stood aghast at the blasphemous claims. How could one utter such disgraceful… vile threats and expect endowment in return? "Who dares to threaten our beloved Emperor and his people Great Chancellor?!" The old flying fox scratched his chin in deep contemplation taking several more puffs. "That dear Master…I'm afraid I cannot answer. The only thing we could gather from the poor soul was that there were five assailants. All he could coherently sputter was "five!" over and over again until his stricken body finally gave out. Poor boy, I knew his father and mother, he was on his way to a good seat in the royal court." Zhun shook his head in disbelief at the loss of such a promising young delegate. "Wait…five!? You don't think it could be…" "I most certainly hope that is not the case dear Master. I believe your old teacher would never stand for such outrageous practices and misuse of the sacred arts." The old flying fox released another cloud of tobacco smoke, drifting up toward the darkened ceiling until it mixed into the colorless grey void . Ming-Yue was suddenly snapped back to the present, the frigid air biting at her now frost covered feathers.
Through the unearthly howl of the whiteout Yue could make out the faint crunch of snow beneath slowly approaching feet. Just one? The artful master thought out their best course of action. No, no way would someone be out here alone. They've clearly got us at a disadvantage here…I can only see about 7 maybe 10 feet tops and those nimrods back there are about as helpful as baby sheep. Crunch, another foot step this time from the opposite direction. Darn it! They've got us surrounded! "Both of you get ready they won't hesitate to kill." The two Rhinos looked at one another in fear. "Di-d Did I hear her correctly Geng?" "Your so naïve Wei. It's obviously an exercise to test our fighting abilities. We gotta stay sharp out- AHHHHHH!" Instantly the rhino guard was engulfed into the featureless mist, his screams fading away beneath the roaring blizzard. "Geng?! Geng?! Speak to me buddy?! Where are you?!" "Stand your ground!" Yue ordered the other guard. "Your friends gone now and I'm not going to lose another under my command. Stay in sight and on guard, that way they can't sneak up on us again." That was fast…too fast. The only one who attacks that fast and with such ferocity is… Tigress ….but that's impossible. She'd never use her techniques in such a way, would she? The crane closed her eye's channeling chi into her impressive 7ft wing span, posturing for the next onslaught.
"Geng he…he can't be gone. He was right here I just saw him." "Stay where you are I won't be able to see you if you move!" Yue's warning unfortunately fell on deaf ears as the rhino guard was consumed by thoughts of where his friend might be. "It's just a trick! That's it, Geng would never let his guard down, he's a true warrior." The rhino sauntered out of Master Yue's sight swallowed by the merciless torrent. That Idiot! Looks like it's just me now. Wei continued trudging through the snow hoping to find his friend playing a stupid prank. "Geng is that you?" He caught sight of a shadow through the thick veil of snow. "Ah ha! I knew it was another one of your stupid tricks Geng! Let's get back to Master Yue before this blizzard gets any worse." Slosh! Someone was circling the Rhino but it clearly wasn't Geng, he could still make out the silhouette now practically just feet away. Nevertheless his instincts took hold as he strengthened his grip on the axe handle. There was someone else out here but what were they doing? Was Master Yue right? Were they being…hunted? The thought sent chills through his body as panic began to set in, he turned around hastily backtracking his path, which unfortunately had disappeared in the down poor of ice. Get out of there! Wei mentally screamed at his poor actions as his heart began thundering in his ears. "Master Yue?! Master Yue?!" I can't see anything in this blizzard. "Aw what's a matter? Is the poor wittle whino lost?" A female voice chastised the beleaguered warrior from the blinding flurry. "Who…Whose there? Show yourself! I'm n-n-not afraid to use this!" He postured into a fighting stance ready to swing at whatever emerged from the frozen wastes. "Ya hear that Mae he's not afraid to hurt you." A male voice called from behind the Rhino this time, clearly they'd surrounded the beleaguered guard. "Uh oh, I think this guy means business." Yet another snickered from his flank. Just How many of them were there?! "I call dibs on em' since Sao took the last one!" And yet another gravely voice. "No chance Xian, I saw him first he's mine!" The female voice retorted visibly closer than before. This is my only chance! Wei blindly swung his axe in all directions hoping to land a hit. "Whoa checkout General Tsin over there!" "Oops looks like ya missed me big guy, why not show a woman some manners." There's too many …. how could I have not hit them!? Fear and frustration at a breaking point the rhino yelled out in rage. "That's enough! Show yourselves you cowards!" Cccccrrrracccckkk…..Suddenly the permafrost beneath the unsuspecting rhinos feet began to collapse as two paws seized his ankles dragging him into the icy abyss. "Nooooo! Master Yue!"
Master Yue fixed her steely gaze toward the left flank hearing the rhino guards cries over the escalating snow storm. No doubt about it, they just got the other Rhino, but he did betray their location. "Now to put an end to this!" With a single flap from her wings Yue propelled herself into the swirling torrent above. My eye's will be of little use up here. I'll have to rely on my hearing. "What the heck Sao! I wanted to play with him a little before the kill. Your no fun!" Bingo! She could hear a female whining below. Here goes nothing. Pinpointing the assailants location she gathered more chi into her wings remaining stationary over the voices. Master Yue slowed down her breathing all the while managing to keep still in the vortex of ice.
"Quit your bellyaching Mae, Sao always gets first dibs. We all know that… right big guy? Anyways there's still that scrawny little birdie to cull." SWOOOOSSSSHHH! The explosive down draft cleared the plateau revealing the armor clad assailants bellow. Master Yue could make out only four. The other must still be hiding somewhere in the snow. "Great job Mae! Your big mouth blew our cover!" "Shut up Xian how do you know it wasn't your BO!" "Never mind that you two we've got bigger problems!" One of the smaller marauders gestured toward the crane hovering above them. The element of surprise would be paramount if the crane hoped to have any advantage over the enemies superior numbers. Catching another chilling gust Yue positioned herself just outside the edge of the vortex all the while never losing sight of her targets. One-two-three-four…I don't like this. They're clearly setting me up for an ambush I'll have to stay at this altitude and rely on long-range tactics if I hope to defeat them all.
"Wait a sec…where the heck did that stupid bird go?" "Xian, Mae, Sao, you know what to do!" The four villains formed themselves into a tight circle, shoulder to shoulder, ensuring a complete 360 degree view of any attacks. Darn it! That…that move it-it can't be the pillars of solitude! Only 7 masters know that move and I'm one of them. Get grip Yuey…remember you still have the high ground! The four mysterious warriors remained dead still as Master Yue struggled to find a possible opening any hint of weakness. I was hoping to save this one for a worthier opponent but I guess it'll have to do for these creeps. "SOARING LOTUS BLOSSOM!" "Oh-shi…." One of the masked deviants caught sight of Yue just in time to see the small twister pointed directly at their position. The blast of chi fused with the surrounding blizzard proved enough to subdue three of the villains but the largest of the group remained stationary, unfazed by the massive aerial attack. Her element of surprise lost and one degenerate remaining, Yue knew the time for long distance attacks had unfortunately passed. She swooped down to the ice patch below gracefully landing within yards of her massive opponent. "I have to hand it to you…you're the first to ever remain standing after that attack. You should feel privileged it's not every day one of the 7 Masters of Qogir shows off their special technique. Now lay down your weapons and come quietly before things get ugly." The mysterious warrior stood motionless looking towards the red crowned crane now only a few feet away. "Perhaps you didn't hear me? I said lay down your weapons and come with me! You and your 3 buddies over there are to stand trial in the imperial court." Again only silence. Yue could sense the warriors piercing glare beneath the ornate demon mask. This one's different from the others that's for sure. Guess he won't go down without a fight. "Well if you're looking for a fight I'm willing to oblige but I can't guarantee you'll survive."
Yue's warnings were met with no verbal response, only the cold lifeless howl of the frigid mountain air. "Ok big guy you asked for it!" A flap from her massive wings and the Master had vanished behind a veil of upturned snow. CLANK! She reappeared behind the motionless warrior, wings extended in a traditional fighting stance. How could he have dogged all those throwing stars?! To the masters horror the warrior had in fact not dogged the attack but instead had 10 evenly placed throwing stars logged deeply in his back. Without a word he removed each star slowly as if he were some how taking pleasure in the process. "Hmph so your one of those types eh? This'll be more fun than I thought." The prideful master greeted the chance to take on a seemingly insurmountable opponent. Rarely did she have the chance to test the limit of her kung fu abilities. Again she rushed toward her opponent this time planting a roundhouse kick directly to his head. Metal and bone crunched against the force of the blow.
The warrior simply stood there without raising his hands in defense, body and head swaying back from the force of the kick. This creeps like a sparring dummy he just keeps taking the punishment without fighting back. Maybe…maybe he actually wants to die? But why would he?… What do I care as long as I stop em'. Yue landed several more powerful blows to her defenseless target with the same result . A regular warrior would have been down for the count by now, even a skilled master wouldn't stand a chance but the masked assailant took each blow like it was nothing. Well I was hoping to save this one for a little later but I guess I have no choice. If this next attack doesn't stop this freak nothing will. The crane once again leapt into the overcast sky above, leaving her combatant below. "Since you won't fight back I see no reason why we should drag this out any longer do you?!" She began to rotate her entire body gradually building her chi into a funnel and unsheathing several concealed blades from her feathers. "SEVEN BLADES OF-" CRRRRASSSSHHHH!
Master Yue's body came hurtling toward the icy earth, tearing a crater into the solid permafrost . The masked mystery warrior stood motionless his gaze now fixed upwards. Pain shot through her entire body feeling as though her bones had been smashed with boulders. "Cahh-aaa." Yue struggled to breath, each inhale was met with agonizing pain, her body was not responding at all. How…how could I've been so careless!? There were supposed to be five of these murderers and the fifth had taken me completely by surprise. The force of the attack coupled with the subsequent impact had completely shattered her ribs, her once pristine feathers and cheongsam were now marred with dirt and ice. She was now defenseless…a sitting duck for any further attacks from above. Who…who could possibly attack with that much speed from above. The crane struggled to twist her neck to catch sight of her attacker putting all her strength against her now broken wing.
CLINK! Her body was painfully thrust back down into the snow, a metal talon clamped around her neck. "My-my you haven't changed one bit Yuey." Broken and nearly on the verge of blacking out Master Yue could make out the silhouette of an eagle. "I-it can't be? Kai is that you?" "Kai, now that's a name I haven't heard in years. Tell me how are my old friends at the Ruby Palace doing?" The pristine white tailed eagle came clearly into sight. He was clad in similar armor to the other four attackers, his talons covered in dagger like appendages, a cold emotionless glare in his eye's. "How-how could you….threaten the…the Emperor an…and turn against your comrades?" The stricken crane struggled to sputter each word amidst the agonizing pain and emotional turmoil. One of her closest comrades and brightest protégées was now her sworn enemy. What have you become Xaili? You were such a promising and bright student? Memories of training the young Xaili filled the broken masters mind as tears began to well up in her eye's. The distinct instance of training with him, barely old enough to fly, high above the Ruby Palace. He was always like a little brother, looking up to her, always telling her "Some day I'll be the best flying martial artist ever Yuey! Maybe even as awesome as you!" She was snapped back to reality by the eagles merciless weapons slowly tightening around her neck.
"Mwhaha! This is deliciously poetic! The student overtaking his weak master and fulfilling his destiny!" The stoic master could no longer hold back her emotion as tears began to cascade down her bruised face. "You ask why? It's all thanks to you Master…you filled my head with dreams…hopes…aspirations…but then my eye's were opened. Open to the lies you and that vile creature you call the emperor constantly spewed. The other's here and I've been shown the future a future of limitless power, the path of a true warrior by our new master. Your narrow minded dogmas are a thing of the past. Now say good-bye to-" "He'll stop you…he's stronger than any of you could possibly imagine…you'll regret your actions my brother…" "He?! Oh you mean the Great Dragon Warrior! Oogway and Shifus little savior! Don't worry… we were just on our way to say hello and Sao over there is just itching to meet him." "You'll never win Xaili!" "Goodbye my sister…your way's of kung fu are dead." SLICE!