I have to say, I was impressed with the level of response from Chapter 1. Thank you all who took the time to review the story, and it's good to see some familiar names on the reviews again and even some new ones :)

The first Chapter was a rediculously long one I admit, and unfortunately they will not all be as long. but like I said earlier they won't be short either. This next chapter takes place right after Po was taken from the Valley...you may find this interesting compared to my usual stuff. Hope you Enjoy The Read.

Chapter 2

Not worthy

One week after Po was taken…

Tai Lung was finally home. After two weeks of traveling from a distant village after solving a serious bandit problem and he being the only Master even close to being able to arrive to provide assistance, he was finally home. It only took him a few days of constant running to reach the village, but the Bandits were well organized, and large in numbers, taking them down and convincing them to never return to the Village was what took him the better part of a week. But he had succeeded nonetheless and was now finally back in the Valley of Peace.

As he walked the Village streets, he was greeted by many of the villagers who bowed in respect to the skilled Master and their village protector, but he'd have been lying if he didn't feel a sense of uneasiness amongst the people. "Did something happen while I was away?" Tai Lung wondered as he made his way past a familiar noodle shop. But as he walked across from it, he noticed something highly unusual. It was closed. "Strange…" Tai Lung observed as he continued walking. That particular shop was NEVER closed. Perhaps the owner was merely taking a vacation with his child. Tai Lung had been known to stop by every now and then for a bowl of noodles. After all, the Palace Tofu tended to get incredibly old and dull after eating it all the time. He never understood what Shifu saw in the stuff to begin with.

As Tai Lung reached the top of the Palace steps he saw the new Palace servant sweeping the grounds. Once Tai Lung approached him, the goose straightened up and bowed saying, "Master! Welcome back." Tai lung got straight to the point. "You must be the new servant Master Oogway was talking about hiring. Forgive me but I must speak with Master Shifu at once. Where might I find him?" Zeng then looked up at the Palace saying, "I believe he might be in the Hall of Heroes still. I saw him in there about 2 hours ago." Tai Lung nodded as he said, "Thank you." and left to go up the stairs to the Palace.

Upon Entering the Hall, Tai Lung approached the small form of his Master who was meditating in front of the Reflecting Moon Pool as he always did at this time of day. Upon hearing Tai Lung's footsteps, Shifu allowed a small smile grace his face as he slowly stood up and turned to see his Son standing before him. "Master, I have returned." Tai Lung announced while bowing in great respect for his teacher. Shifu nodded as he got straight to the point. "And your mission? You were successful?" Tai Lung nodded as he revealed, "The Village will no longer have reason to fear those Crocs ever coming back to cause them any trouble. I have made sure of that." At this Shifu nodded saying "Well done my student. You have made me proud." Tai Lung allowed himself a hint of a smile as he bowed before Shifu once more.

Shifu's face however became serious as he stated, "Unfortunately…I am afraid something has happened in our absence." Tai Lung raised an eyebrow in confusion asking, "OUR absence Master?" Shifu nodded as he stated, "Yes, while you were on your mission, I was away from the village tending to a different situation…as a result, much has happened." Tai Lung waited for Shifu to continue, but it was a new voice that spoke out. "I am afraid that I have made a grave error in judgment, young snow leopard." Tai Lung turned to see Master Oogway approaching them. "No matter how sharp my ears are, he always manages to sneak in without my noticing…I wonder if Father has ever noticed his approach before?"

Oogway then made his way over to stand by Shifu as the Red Panda started, "Last week, while the Two of us were away, the Village was invaded by a group of slave traders." Tai Lung's face hardened as he thought to himself, "No wonder the people were so skittish when I returned." He then asked, "How many?" meaning how many of the citizens did they take with them. Oogway then spoke saying in a heartbreaking tone. "One...a mere child." Tai Lung raised his eyebrow in confusion while Shifu explained. "The traders were holding the people of the Village as hostages, preventing Master Oogway from doing anything without risking the lives of many…he had to make a choice. either risk the loss of many lives for one…or protect the many at the loss of only one."

Tai Lung then looked up at Oogway with a look of sympathy, but was surprised to see Oogway looking so serious. "Your new mission is to find this child and bring him home safely. I have no way of knowing which way they went or what their destination might be but You MUST find the boy." Shifu then added, "You should try the surrounding villages first, check the local dives and black markets, try to see if you can learn of where one might be able to purchase a slave." Tai Lung nodded as he turned to Oogway and asked. "Who is this child I am searching for?" Oogway then saddened as he began to walk towards the hall doors saying, "He is a young Panda…and he cannot be more than five years old."

Tai Lung instantly had his doubts. He was familiar with the child in question, after all, there was only one Panda in the whole village. But Pandas were rare these days, and he doubted it would be easy getting any information about the cub without getting…violent. Tai Lung nodded as Oogway made his exit. Shifu then declared, "You shall leave at nightfall. For now, rest and prepare. I know you just got back, but Master Oogway says this is of the utmost importance." Tai Lung nodded as Shifu continued, "I would accompany you myself, however I-" both warrior's ear's twitched at the sound of a new presence. "-Ah, Tigress, perfect. Let me introduce you to my Student. Tai Lung, this is Tigress, she will be staying with us here at the palace from now on. She is from the Bau Gou Orphanage." Tai Lung raised an eye brow in surprise, "You adopted…again?" Shifu merely shrugged at the leopard.

Tai Lung watched as the young Tigress approach him nervously. Tai Lung knelt down and greeted her as he held out a paw saying, "Nice to meet you little one…If Shifu adopted you, I suppose that makes us Foster Siblings. Master Shifu adopted me as well." Tigress's eyes sparkled a bit as she took the leopards large muscular hand. She had just gotten a wonderful new home and now she had a Foster brother too!? It was all happening a little bit too fast. "N-Nice to meet you." Tigress managed to say while Shifu said, "Well then, I shall allow you two to get acquainted, I shall see you both for dinner." And with that, Shifu left the Hall to follow his Master.

Tai Lung then stood up and walked over to the reflecting pool and looked up at the Golden Dragon Statue. In its mouth, it held the object of Tai Lung's desire, The Dragon Scroll. whoever was deemed worthy to read the scroll by Master Oogway, was granted a title of honor that rivaled that of great king's, The Dragon Warrior; a warrior of such skill and power, the likes of which Tai Lung thought to exist only in legend. And he wanted it, but not for himself…not entirely. He wanted it for Shifu…for his Father…he wanted it to make Shifu Proud of him. After everything the red panda had done for him, this was the least he could do.

"What's that?" Tigress asked as she approached Tai Lung. Tai Lung then explained, "That, dear sister, is the Dragon Scroll. A Scroll that is told to hold the secrets to great power. With it, you could hear a butterfly's wing beat, or perhaps even see into the darkest of caves…It is truly a magnificent treasure." Tigress then looked over to Tai Lung and asked, "Have you read it?" Tai Lung chuckled as he admitted, "No. Only the Dragon Warrior is permitted to read from the scroll." Tigress then asked, "Who's that?" Tai Lung shrugged, "Nobody knows, but it has been my dream to be worthy of such a title. I have worked every day of my life striving towards that goal, and someday, the Dragon Scroll WILL be mine." and with that, Tai Lung turned and left the room leaving Tigress to continue staring at the scroll as she whispered to herself, "A dream…hmm." and with that, Tigress turned around and raced after her new brother saying to herself, "Then that's going to be my dream too! That way, at least one of us can surely become the Dragon Warrior and make Master Shifu proud!"

As the two left, Oogway emerged from the shadows from behind a pillar shaking his head in disappointment. "Oh Children, if only you knew." And with that, he retired to his chambers.

3 Months Later…

He had failed. After 3 months of searching every village, every camp, every farm…he had failed. He had never failed at a mission before. Not once. But he had failed. He could not find the Panda cub anywhere. He had a few close encounters he felt, stumbling upon the remains of an auction site on two separate occasions, but both times he found nothing to point him in the right direction. Finding that he no longer had any leads to follow, and that he had searched the entire country it seemed, Tai Lung returned home utterly defeated.

As the leopard entered the familiar Training Hall he noticed Shifu instructing young Tigress on Balance while she stood atop of the Jade Tortoise Shell off to the right of the room. Upon entering, both Shifu and Tigress noticed him and immediately approached the snow leopard. Tai Lung looked down at his Master and said grimly, "Master…I have returned." Shifu nodded but his face fell once he saw Tai Lung's, it was covered in shame. Shifu then asked cautiously, "Your mission…were you successful?" Tai Lung merely closed his eyes and Shifu spoke to Tigress, his eyes never leaving his son, "Leave us Tigress, Go and meditate by the Sacred Peach Tree until it is time for dinner." Tigress bowed and began too exit, but not before saying to Tai Lung, "It's good to have you back Brother!" Tai Lung merely faked a small smile as the young Tigress left the Hall, completely unaware that she was never going to see him again, for a VERY long time.

Once Tigress was gone, Shifu then asked, his voice stern but not demanding, "What happened?" Tai Lung then whispered, "I have…failed Master." Shifu had to admit, he had NEVER heard Tai Lung utter those words before. Tai Lung the continued, "I looked everywhere. EVERYWHERE! And I couldn't find the PANDA!" Tai Lung roared as he leaped up and down into the Gauntlet, as he began attacking the wooden warriors. He needed to vent, to let out his anger. As he struck out, Tai Lung went on, "I checked every dive, every abandoned building, and I know I came close a couple of times. But I just couldn't find him…I FAILED!" as Tai Lung released a powerful roar he jumped and delivered a powerful spin kick, shattering the last Wooden Warrior. As he landed on his right leg he balanced briefly for a moment, his breathing labored and fast until he suddenly dropped to his knees in frustration

Shifu could only watch as he observed his student. Suddenly Oogway was present as he said while stepping out of the shadows. "Rise, Master Tai Lung." Tai Lung then looked up at the aged turtle and obeyed. Tai Lung saw sadness in the old turtles eyes as he was saddened by the news that the Panda had not been found, but there was nothing he could do about it now. Tai Lung was the best tracker in all of China, if he could not find the boy, then no one could find him unless his captors WANTED him to be found. Oogway had failed.

Tai Lung then started, "Master…I-" But Oogway placed a knowing hand on the leopards shoulder saying "You did your best, of this, I am certain." Tai Lung nodded when Shifu spoke up clearing his throat, "*Ahem* Master…perhaps the…Dragon Warrior, would be of help here in this situation?" Tai Lung's ears perked as he looked up at his father and then back to Oogway. But Oogway's face was still sad as he replied, "I am afraid Shifu…that is impossible." Shifu then asked "And why is that Master?" Oogway then began walking out of the training hall and said, "Because the Dragon Warrior…is not here." and with that, Oogway was gone.

Tai Lung was devastated, here he had worked for so many years to earn the title of Dragon Warrior, only to be told that he was not to be it. Was it because of his latest mission? Was this his test!? Was his failure what deprived him of the right to bear the title? He didn't know. All he knew, was that he had failed. He didn't deserve to be the Dragon Warrior…he couldn't even save one panda cub.

Tai Lung then whispered something that Shifu's ears were just BARELY able to hear, "I'm a failure." Shifu then started "My son, you are not-" But Tai Lung stood up and tightened his fists to the point in which they had cracked several times. "This was my test…and I failed." Shifu then asked in confusion, "Your test? I don't understand." Tai Lung then began to walk out of the training hall with Shifu following closely behind.

Tai Lung made his way over to the barracks and into his room, where he grabbed a fresh travel pack and began stuffing it with belongings. Mostly clothes and a few small mementos. When he finished Shifu asked, "What are you doing?" Tai Lung then shouldered his pack while grabbing his cloak and said, "I'm leaving." And so he began to leave the Barracks, leaving Shifu behind in a state of shock. Snapping out of it, Shifu turned and raced after his son, when he reached Tai Lung, the snow leopard had already reached the Thousand steps and was about to go down them when Shifu shouted, "TAI LUNG!" Tai Lung stopped and turned to face his Master, his Mentor…his father, and saw Shifu's hurt expression, "What are you doing?" Shifu asked again as Tai Lung explained, "I have failed you Father. I have spent my entire life training to become the perfect Warrior…to become the Dragon Warrior and make you proud." Shifu then stepped forward as he said desperately, "But I AM proud of you Tai Lung! I have always been proud of you! Stop this nonsense and come back inside." But Tai Lung would not move. He had failed his Master…and he had failed himself.

Tai Lung then turned and said as he looked out into the distance, "I do not deserve to call this place my home. The Jade Palace is not a place for failures. I am sorry father, but I cannot return, not until I am worthy of becoming the Dragon Warrior and redeeming myself." Tai Lung was about to leave, but then stopped himself as he stated, "From the day you took me in…I was always grateful to you. You cared for me when no one else would. You loved me…you raised me…and I will always be grateful…But I must do this." Shifu then managed to croak out, his voice threatening to betray him as he was trying to hold back a sob. Where will you go?" Tai Lung merely shook his head as he said, "I don't know…Somewhere far away…somewhere the people will not be ashamed to share a mountain or a village with Master Shifu's failure of a son. I am sorry…but I cannot stay here. I hope you can forgive me in time…Father."

And with that, Tai Lung threw his cloak on over his shoulders and dropped to all fours, his pack straddling his back as Shifu watched him race off down the stairs. Part of him wanted nothing more than to chase after him and haul him back and beat the living daylights out of him until his son swore he would never leave. But then again he also knew that Tai Lung was feeling lost, and that he had to take however long it took for him to find himself once more. As Shifu watched Tai Lung disappear, he whispered to himself "My son…You will always belong here." and with that, Shifu began to trudge his way over to the Palace, his heart shattered and in a million pieces. All the while he was completely unaware that Young Tigress was watching the entire scene from the top of the Peach Tree hill, as she whispered to herself while she watched the snow leopard vanish into the distance, "Brother…"

And that is Chapter 2. What did you think? Kinda different. In Chapter 3 we go back to Po. Thanks for reading and remember...

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