I do not own Kung Fu Panda or any character of such series, as it is all owned by Dreamworks and Paramount Pictures. Please watch the movies and television show to watch the original product, particularly the movies as they are very good.

I am simply writing a fun little what if spin. I hope you all enjoy what you read, and a special thank you to those who've already reviewed. I appreciate the support.

-The Odd Dreamer

The Red Trial

The world is spinning as I force my eyes open. Darkness and red heat glare at me… Am I still at the factory? I take a breath, but it is cut short by the tight chains around my body. I feel my arms fastened up above my head, and my friends chained at my sides. The haze finally slips away and a one-eyed wolf and a crazed albino peacock greet me.

The feathered monster steps closer to me, "Such sad sad faces… But now is a time only for joy." His beak curls in a grin, as if he truly believes he is granting us some kind of honor. He slips in closer to speak, and my skin crawls, "You are going to be apart of something beautiful."

My jaw clenches with such rage I can barely contain it. My lips curl, my fangs bare, and a growl emanates from the back of my throat. The white feathered thing just smiles at me with that unsettled look in his eyes.

He turns away to his wolves, "Once we reach the harbor, in front of all the world, you and your precious kung fu will die." He proclaims with a chuckle. With pride and malice drip from his vile being, he continues, "Then China will know to bow before me." I cannot help but notice how far gone he is as he speaks. He has complete faith in his hollow and fabricated victory against all of China.

"Set Sail!" He calls, and we are hoisted up suddenly. My arms burn at holding all the weight against my will, but I clench and focus to relieve the strain. My gaze searches as steadily as the pace Shen sets his fleet. We are on vessel in the middle of the ships, moving forward slowly, with cannons strapped to each boat. There are a vast amount of wolves, clearly the full tribe. Monkey is chained to my left, Crane to my right. I feel a squirm at my front, definitely Viper, and I notice the top of a small cage where Mantis must be. Shen's flames coat the city in red as his armada progresses like an unwavering infection.

I hear Mantis' voice sullenly groan, "Honestly, guys, I never thought I'd die like this. I always thought I'd meet a nice girl and settle down and… then she'd eat my head. So Sad." A joke wrapped in surrender. I felt like pitying him, but my own shame wells in my chest.

Monkey's voice rings, with courage, maybe false, but courage none the less, "We cannot give up hope. Po would want us to remain strong, hard-core… Right, Tigress?" I cannot even look at him. Po… the name alone forces my shame and pity to strengthen and overcome me. I cannot hide my weakness with my body strung up like a trophy. I try with all my might to hold back my tongue and my tears but it is a battle I know I will lose.

I barely hear the one eyed wolf speak over my ache, "Lord Shen, what about the bridge?" He asks. The red eyed creature speaks with apathy, "Nothing stands in my way… Fire!"

A flash of coiling red bursts and the bridge disintegrates in a blaze of splinters. The citizens of Gongmen city run for their lives, but a few unlucky joined the fate of the bridge. My shame, my pity are replaced by a hot blinding hatred. This despicable creature ended my brother in arms, innocent and peaceful citizens of this city, how dare I let myself fall into a pitiful despair!

The rage bubbles over in my core, my whole body shakes and pulls against my bonds, "You coward!" As quickly as my fury flashed over my senses, I see a ghost. Far above on the rooftops a shadow enters my line of sight. A round figure, like a… panda…

And the shadow scatters to the rooftop and fades away. It was nothing but aimless hope. I curse at myself, letting my emotions flare and cause hallucinations like some damsel in distress. I let my body go and hang like the memento Shen has turned me into. Misery and wrath mix and boil within me and I am unable to do anything about it. My inner core rips at itself at my failure and dishonor. And then I hear a spark of hope.

Viper's voice rings, "Look, it's Master Storming Ox! It's the Masters of Gongmen City!" My head rises as each body chained to me moves in unison towards the sight. Master Storming Ox, a mighty dark grey hulk with horns the size of morning stars. He plows through a group of wolves, and Master Croc, a short stout reptile with an actual morning star on his tail, leaps from the water. His legs split to knock aside two unwitting pups as he lands on the nearby boat. Even Master Boar, this dark brown ball of spiky fur and tusk with ornamental armor, makes an appearance. He leaps from a nearby window to topple over the recollecting mob like a ball knocking over sticks.

Mantis cheers with a newfound purpose, "I thought you all were still in Gongmen prison! What changed your mind?" Master Storming Ox simply smiles as he replies, "Your friend was very persuasive."

Off in the distance, I see Grand Master Oogway's staff. I hear the patter of his quick steps and limp. My heart warms, and the weight feels shifted. With a leap, Master Shifu defeats an entire boat of wolves, landing before us atop of his staff with his aged, yet powerful battle cry. A flash of his orange and green robe knock the few wolves left into the water. I could barely contain the joy as I bite my lip to conceal my smile.

I looked down at him as our eyes meet, "Master Shifu, I…" I cannot find the words. Even the great elation I feel with his presence is shadowed by my disgrace. He knows, though. He examines us, nods, and then smiles. For all his strength, he cannot hide his sorrow. His eyes speak to me more then his words, "It is good to see you are all unharmed. We must do what is right, and avenge our… our fallen."

His expression transforms. He no longer reveals the face of grieving parent, but that of the legendary, battle hardened warrior. He calls out, in his hoarse familiar tone, "Master Croc, help free the Five. Quickly, use their boats to block the way!" Master Croc follows through, using his mighty tail to toss a battle axe at us.

"Monkey!" I call. It is the only direction he needs. His tail swings and catches the weapon as I rock us back, using the momentum to shatter our bonds with the dull edge of the blade. I feel my feet touch the ground and my body exert all the turmoil pooled in my center. The wolves that tried to pounce were violently tossed back to the surrounding waters. We: Grand Master Shifu, The Furious Five, and the Masters of Gongmen Council, announced our intent. Vengeance.