First story ever! Please read all the way through, if you're looking for much drama, tragedy, and horror. Rated M for tragedy, mild language, suspense, blood, and disturbing scenes. Please review, or... or... I... won't write the next chapter. There will be many "Parts".

The Return (Part 1)

Chapter 1

The Return

Tai Lung awoke, panting from his long sleep. He saw he was knocked out from the massive blow that big fat panda, Po gave him, by that one move... the flexing of the the pinkie... he couldn't recall the name, for he was still a bit unconscious. Rubbing his head thoroughly, his first nasty thought was, revenge. He smiled cleverly, knowing that this time when he comes back to the town they won't be expecting him. His second thought was where he was. Dangling from a vine in a forest? Yes. He wiggled awkwardly out of it, falling out eventually. He landed on all fours in a swift woosh, just as all cats did, and briefly looked back up. Now all he had to do was find a way to get to the town again, and take back his rightful place as the dragon master, and hopefully figure out what that scroll said. Jumping from branch to branch, he reached the top of the highest tree he was deposited in. He looked around franticly, eventually finding the town, miles away. So far away, he had to squint. He was surprised he was still alive from that blow. Supposedly he landed in a nice, soft patch of vines. Well, he better start navigating his way to the Jade Palace now... for it'll take until nightfall to get there, at least. He jumped swiftly from tree to tree, jaw in place, fists tightly clenched, thinking yes, revenge.

Nightfall was coming shockingly fast, as Po slowly walked into the kitchen, jolly because he felt very important now. He finally found out the new secret ingredient to his soup: nothing: for all he had to do, is believe. He smiled gratefully. The others were in the training room doing exactly what Master Shifu; their trainer, ordered. All, except Tigress, were training. Tigress was outside, taking her daily bathe in the hot springs..

The smell of delicious soup filled the vast room, as monkey licked his lips. "I can't wait to eat! I feel like I've been working too hard today." He said as an excuse.

"It doesn't matter if you work too hard or sit around all day, just as long as you're learning something." Master Shifu explained.

Monkey scratched his head. "Of course.. I know!"

Tigress walked slowly to the hot springs, staring at the rising and cooling steam. She sighed, and started to quickly unbutton her uniform, for it was freezing outside of the water. A sound from the trees startled her, making her stop, and look around.

Bfff!Something heavy landed right in front of her, making her jump. She looked at it. It was Tai Lung. It seemed he was taking interest in her. Odd. She looked down, then quickly buttoned up her uniform. Frustrated, she got in battle stance. "I thought you were dead. Get out of here, before you-"

"Ah, Tigress, it is very nice to meet you." He looked around, taking caution of his surroundings. "And I insist, carry on with your cleaning. I don't mind"

Tigress was furious now. She squinted at him, cracking her knuckles with a simple snap of her wrist. "You're a child."

"Says the young one," He slowly walked behind her, taking his time to look her over. "I'm looking for something that was rightfully mine, a looong time ago, something that your friend Po seems to have. May I have it please?" He grinned seductively.

"You know what my answer would be." Tigress fumed, as she spat.

"Oh, of course. Maybe I should ask you in a more polite tone." His eyes immediately went dark as he jumped for her, swinging elegantly around her and holding her by the throat with his arm, making her stumble back into his grasp. "Just tell me, I ask of you." The leopard said, grinning.

"Where's... Tigress?" Crane asked curiously.

"I dunno." Po chugged a bunch of noodles in a quick slurp, making a mess all over the wooden table. "Probably just a little late. She'll come."

Viper wasn't eating.

"Viper, aren't ya hungry?" Po looked at her, noodles dangling from his mouth.

"Yes." She answered, looking around.

Po stared at her. "Then would it kill ya if you ate? You're making me hungry."

"Well," She hesitated for a moment. "I'm worried about Tigress... it's not normal for her to be gone for that long. She would have usually finished about 10 minutes ago."

"You think there's anything wrong? Like... she drowned or something? I'm pretty sure she can swim.." He said, remembering she's a tiger, and most cat's don't like water that much, none the less, swimming.

Viper sighed. "I'll check."

"You sure you don't want me to?" Po sarcastically asked.

Viper ignored him, as she slowly slithered out the door.

Once Viper got to the springs, she could see nothing but the steam rising from the springs. The wind wasn't blowing, therefore the steam just lingered. "Tigress?" She yelled, finding no answer. "Tigress!" She repeated, slithering along the river, squinting for a sight of her friend.

"Don't... move." A voice came from. Viper froze, and looked to where the sound was coming from. She could tell that it was Tai Lung because of his voice, but where could he be? She looked to her right, and saw the snow leopard holding Tigress tightly with his masculine arm. At first she thought... no, no, that's not right. He was here for the dragon scroll, and he would kill anybody who got in his way. He's already has2 beings on his list: Tigress, and Viper. But Viper somehow thought that Tai Lung wouldn't kill Tigress... because of affections. If he didn't kill Tigress, he would spare Viper. That's good news.

Tigress was utterly silent. She looked slightly guilty for a second.. like she just confessed something she did not want to confess. "Okay, thanks for your help, ehh... Tigress." He could remember her name, as she use to be his sister a while back, when he was still a student at the Jade Palace. He swiftly hit her nerves along with Viper's in a split second, and raced for the kitchen: For Po.

"So, Po, what's this... secret ingredient you've just learned?" Mantis asked, nudging Po.

"Yeah Po! Tell us!" Crane added, smiling kindly.

Po snickered. "Well it wouldn't be a secret if I told you.. I mean you could-"

CRASH! In the blink of an eye the dining room wall was smashed in powerfully. Po saw Tai Lung was back. He seemed shocked, but prepared. "Po! You will give me that dragon scroll now!" He jumped forth and landed on Po, knocking over the table. It ricocheted and caused Mantis, who was sitting on it, to fling into the air.

"Okay okay! I'll give it to you! It's... it's..." He thought for a moment, improvising a plan. "...in that drawer over there!" Po pointed.

Mantis, Crane, and Monkey all stared at Po, furious that he confessed so easily. Po winked.. Or tried to.

Tai Lung smiled. "That was simple." He got off Po, and foolishly started heading for the drawer behind Monkey. He slapped the monkey away, as he flew far into the air, hitting the far wall. He ripped open the drawer..

"NOW!" Po ordered tensely, getting in stance. Mantis was already on it. He kicked The snow leopard's feet up from under him, and landed on his back with a thump, while crane was up in the air, ready to dive. He did, but Tai Lung rolled over, making Crane stick into the wooden ground with his sharp beak. Tai Lung then profecionally spun on his elbow, gaining resistance, eventually kicking Crane into Monkey, who just now started to get back up. He did all his moves with expert timing, seeming like he had been practicing all of it over and over again each and every day. Mantis was on the snow leopards head, when his enemy swatted at him like an insect. He easily dodged the first blow, but got flung into the table on the second one.

Po stared, chopsticks in hand, grinning wickedly; not at his team mates failures, but at the soon to be once again won battle. "Alright round two, baby!"