Author's note: Greetings ladies and gentlemen. I am Saturn_Ascend and this is my first KFP fanfic. This take place directly after KFP 2 (has nothing to do with Legends of Awesomeness).
Chapter 1.
Ascension
The Proverb: "I see a rock emerging from the thorn bush. On this very stone was founded the world. And it was given the power to rebuild and destroy. Look! Nothing could stand in it's way. Whatever rose up in opposition was crushed, like pottery with an iron scepter. Whoa, to you inhabitants of Asia! For who will save you from the coming wrath?"
Somewhere in Japan: There were flashes of lightening, a deafening ripple of thunder shook the mountaintop. He: that is the stranger (Tai Lung's brother), gradually let down his hood. The black leopard leaned down and took his Master's necklace. A wild squall fluttered his cloak as he stood over the body.
He removed his outer garment and covered the remains of his Master "My training is finished."
His golden pupils shifted to the fiery horizon-they drifted under a stormy view of eastern China. And look! The fading light of a small eastern hamlet caught his attention. It was between him and the pier. He compared the size of his paw to the small village below. A raving cackle of his laugher echoed down into the canyon. Under the severe downpour his paws were washed clean of bloodstains.
As the sunlight subdued to a even greater darkness an evil smile came over him 'Now nothing will stand in my way.'
Meanwhile: The window blinds of Tigress' room shuddered. She rose from a meditative position and approached it. The papyrus scrolls near her window scattered about. While she shut the window her attention centered on the papers. One in particular: a page from her diary, the postliminary account of-Tai Lung.
She was thinking herself away, covering over the present with past experiences. They were all so real, as if it had been yesterday. In her mind's eye Tigress appeared before the battle with Tai Lung-in an ominous fog; fog so thick you could cut through it with a knife. This was a place often the setting of her dreams. She analyzed her surroundings; the rickety bridge which span over a cleft: a cleft of seemingly endless cloud cover.
Tigress' eyes opened: the recreated scene vanished into the confines of her enclosed room. Another breeze caught hold of her as someone entered the hall outside. Instinctually Tigress wrapped her arms around herself. Her fur bristled and prompted a shiver. Just as she journeyed back into thought there was a knock at the door.
Presently, Master Shifu offered a small porcelain cup to the withered hands of an old friend: the white cheeked gibbon sighed, his hands quivered.
Their silhouettes danced to a flickering flame in the fireplace "I tried to reason with him, you know?"
Shifu stared down at his cup of tea and assessed Zoran's words before replying "You've done what you could Master Zoran. All we can do is hope that in time our brother will come to his senses."
A pause fell over their conversation "Yes."
Master Zoran cleared his throat and adjusted the pillow under him. His thumb aimlessly went around the edge of his tea cup.
He smiled "I remember days when we could barely have a conversation without arguing. (I) Couldn't get you to change your mind if it killed me."
A slight laugh slipped Shifu's grasp "Times do change-I was young once. The youngest I recall, and perhaps the most reckless."
"Those were the days." Zoran coughed.
"You always were the one who kept us together all those years."
"No. You chose to stay." Zoran replied.
The white cheeked gibbon held a handkerchief over his mouth and coughed. Master Shifu's spirits dampened. Zoran had been suffering from an unknown illness. In time the ailment had gotten worse. While they were yet silent Master Tigress entered the room.
"Master." she bowed "You've requested my presence."
"Yes." he took her aside "I'm afraid Master Zoran's pupil is downstairs in the foyer. Please, do accompany him. He hasn't said a thing and I'm concerned."
The Bengal tiger nodded.
"Is that Tigress? You've grown so much since the last time I saw you." Zoran motioned for her to come close.
As she came into the firelight he gleamed "My little lotus, how beautiful you are."
Tigress grinned and placed her paw over his "Master, how good it is to see you again. You've gotten..."
"Old?" Zoran suggested.
She didn't know what to say or how to say it-though it's not what she meant. His paw left hers and tucked in the blanket ensconcing him. He weakly patted her.
"Precious little lotus..." The Master's eyes glazed over her and he trailed off into an unexpected nap.
Master Tigress left their presence, she slowly shut the door behind her. Just a brief walking distance away was a spiraling staircase. On the way down a strobe of lightning seized a profile of someone. He was sitting uncomfortably on a tile floor, his back against the wall.
As she came near his appearance was in a traditional Tai Chi garb: a two piece uniform. His button up shirt was woven with Raven skin silk which shone distinctly against her lantern. His pants were knitted from plain dyed cotton to match the shirt. The student's face was buried between his knees.
"Hello. I am Master Tigress." A friendly smile forced over her face.
The pupil lifted his head but said nothing, his expression said plenty. He was upset over the failing health of his Master. She seated herself on the bench beside him and thought: about him, about Zoran but mostly about what to say.
Long ago, Zoran and Shifu both apprenticed under Master Oogway. Though they had grown apart over the years Tigress recalled Master Shifu relating some experiences they had. Over the course of time Master Zoran decided to leave and teach a Kung Fu school of his own in western China. Since he lived so far away it was hard for them to keep in touch. After 20 long years he returned with his apprentice. They were journeying back from Japan together when his condition worsened overnight.
Tigress looked the student over and then up where she had been once before. There. Up above Master Monkey watched. Viper slithered up behind him, she smiled consolingly down on Tigress.
Master Mantis was on the headrest of Zoran's chair listening prudently. Crane stood at the doorway. The white cheeked gibbon surfaced from a deep sleep. He mumbled something, a riddle but it seemed like nonsense to Shifu and Mantis.
"Over fire and over stone
through darkness and fear of unknown,
shinning out in starlight,
on a sheet of purest night.
The beginning of eternity,
the end of time,
do not be afraid
you will be given a sign."
While Zoran expelled these things his pupil recited it harmoniously as if the two were somehow connected. Tigress watched the student's lips quiver, he hurried upstairs but his Master expired before he could see him again. As Zoran's spirit passed he made Shifu promise.
He said "I must go on to better things. I want you to promise me something. Promise me you'll look after Fox. He is the closest thing I have to family, just as Tigress is to you."
When Fox entered the room with Mantis and Shifu his Master was no where to be seen. He had gradually vanished from their presence. There wasn't a trace of him found anymore except a talisman. A small charm which he had given Shifu for Fox. Almost immediately a powerful wind shut every door and window inside the building, it also smothered every candlelight.
Shifu's paw rested on Fox's shoulder as he kneeled before the chair Zoran had been seated at. Mantis chirped gloomily as the rest of the five came in.
'Have safe travels my Master. Please continue to be with me.'