Kung Fu Panda 5: Rise of the Fallen by
Mitchicus
Chapter 5: Sacrifice
Today was the day. Mitch awoke and looked at Tigress, still nestled in his arms. He waited for her to awake, since there was no emergency or anything. Tigress opened her eyes and smiled when she saw Mitch. He returned the smile.
"Today's the holiday. We're supposed to go to the Hall of Heroes at around noon, but what do you want to do before that?" Mitch asked his wife.
"We'll go eat breakfast first, and then we'll go down to the valley and greet the villagers. It's not often that they worship us extra." Tigress said yawning.
The two went to the kitchen and ate their breakfast. Everyone was in high spirits, for there was no training that day. Samina went to the counter and poured the red vial from Pantelis into a cup.
"Mitch, would you like a new drink I learned to make while at Manso Forest?" Samina lied.
Mitch turned to Tigress, who nodded solemnly. "Sure, I don't see why not." Mitch said to the female white tiger.
Samina handed Mitch the cup and he studied it.
"It's got fruit in it, that's why it's red." Samina lied again.
Mitch swallowed the substance entirely. For a power draining vial (which he did not know), it tasted good.
"I like it. Where did you learn to make it?" Mitch asked her.
Samina bit her lip. "I read about different recipes and things."
Mitch nodded. "It's pretty good."
Everyone was in high spirits, for there was no training that day. The food was especially good, for Po was in high spirits. Mitch and Tigress finished their food and went down to the valley. It was quite a sight.
There were paintings of the warriors of the Jade Palace everywhere, signs advertising special deals in honor of the Kung Fu masters. There was a cart with hand-carved figurines. Mitch even found one of himself, a recent addition according to the goose that owned the figurines. Mitch picked it up and looked at it. He saw how all the other masters wore light colors and he wore black. A smirk was on the figurine. It was another example of the pride that he hated. Mitch set down the figure and continued to walk with Tigress through the valley. At times, they would have to stop as children ran about the path, pretending to be the Kung Fu masters. A rabbit shouted that he was the Lightning Warrior, and exclaimed to his friends that Kung Fu was all about power. Mitch went on one knee and greeted him.
"Hey kid, what are you doing?" Mitch asked.
"I'm playing as you, the Lightning Warrior, and I'm your biggest fan!" The rabbit exclaimed.
Tigress smiled and looked at Mitch, who smiled. The White Tiger turned back to the rabbit.
"That's great! What makes the Lightning Warrior, or me, your favorite?" Mitch asked him.
"You are the most powerful, and that makes you the strongest warrior in all of China!"
Mitch frowned. He did not think of himself like that.
"But do you believe that is what Kung Fu is about, power?" Mitch asked him.
"Kid, being powerful does not make you the best. In fact, power can lead to your downfall, so it is a weakness actually. Without speed, precision, or other traits, you are not nearly as effective if you use them all." Mitch said.
The rabbit was puzzled. "So you're not the strongest?"
"I don't know the answer to that. You must know that power is not what Kung Fu is all about. It is about peace, humility, and other traits." Mitch said.
The rabbit was not following. "Is it true that you can shoot lightning out of your fists?"
Mitch knew that the conversation he was making was too hard for the kid to understand, so he let him change the subject. Mitchicus smiled at the rabbit and rubbed his head.
"I can, and it is a gift from the universe." Mitch said.
The rabbit grinned. "That's awesome! Thank you, Lightning Warrior."
Mitch tried to say 'your welcome' but the rabbit got up and began bragging to his friends that his favorite master could shoot lightning out of his hands. Mitch sighed and got up.
"I don't think that conversation worked at all." Mitch said laughing.
Tigress put her paw on his shoulder. "You tried. He may have an idea from what you said in his head now."
Mitch sighed. "Maybe,"
The couple was greeted by villagers and more children, and the two realized it was nearly noon and headed to the Hall of Heroes. The Five, Po, Tai Lung, and Shifu stood there already. The sky was dark, and the storm clouds covered the valley and the Jade Palace. Samina was no where to be seen. Everyone assumed that she was cooking lunch or something.
Mitch and Tigress stood between Tai Lung and Master Shifu. The Red Panda looked down at the Valley of Peace.
"The firework show should begin right…now." As soon as Shifu said this, fireworks shot up into the sky. The fireworks exploded and music began to play in the valley. Po and the Five cheered and waited for the next fireworks. The fireworks went on and on, and it was a spectacular sight. Mitch held Tigress' hand and she rested the side of her head on his shoulder. The Lightning Warrior sighed and squeezed her hand. At least they were together. The finale soon ended, and everyone cheered.
Suddenly, there was a bright flash from a hill outside of the valley. Everyone looked towards where it came from, and saw what looked to be fireworks heading over the valley.
"More fireworks?" Tai Lung asked.
Mitchicus squinted and looked at the objects, which hadn't exploded into fireworks over the valley. The objects were heading towards them.
"Those aren't fireworks." Mitch said as he looked closely at them.
Mitch's eyes widened. They were cannonballs!
"Everyone hit the ground!" Mitch yelled.
Everyone did so, and Mitch went on top of Tigress and covered her body with his own. The ground shook as blast after blast of cannonballs hit the Jade Palace and the surrounding area. One cannonball hit the Hall of Heroes, sending a long piece of wood at Mitch. The wood plunged into Mitch's side, driving deep into his lung. Mitch groaned but did not flinch. The volley of cannon fire ended, and Mitch got up. He growled and grabbed the long piece of wood that stuck out of him. He winced and pulled out the wood, causing him to wheeze and blood to flow out of his wound. Tigress got up and noticed him.
"Mitch, you're hit."
"It's just a scratch, just a scratch." Mitch said.
Tigress remembered the last time he said something was 'just a scratch'. They were battling Fernando, and Mitch's stomach was badly wounded. Mitch nearly died of the loss of blood.
The others struggled up, and Shifu looked around at the Jade Palace in terror. It was very damaged, and it made him distraught to see it like this.
Mitch was the first to act. "Everyone, find cover until the threat of the cannons is gone. If anyone tries to attack you, slay them. I'm going to take Tigress to Wu Dan Mountain, where we should be safe there."
The others nodded and looked for cover, and also readied in case of an attack.
Mitch went on all fours alongside Tigress and began sprinting towards Wu Dan Mountain. One of the cannonballs had caused a great fire, which was beginning to spread. The sky was filled with light once again as another volley of cannonballs was fired at the Kung Fu masters. One landed next to Mitch and he fell to the ground in a daze. He was shell-shocked. Mitch's ears ringed, and his vision was blurry. His senses soon returned and he found himself being shaken by his wife.
"Snap out of it Mitch!" Tigress yelled.
Mitch got up. "I'm up, I'm up."
His breathing was becoming difficult, and blood poured down his side. The two ran on all fours as another volley was falling around them. Tigress was caught too close to a blast and was thrown to the ground, her leg injured. Tigress yelled and looked at her leg. Blood came from it, but not nearly as much as that coming from Mitch's wound. Tigress tried to run but fell to the ground again in pain. It was not a very serious wound, but she was not able to run.
"Everything's going to be alright, Tigress." Mitch told her as he picked her up.
If only that were true.
It was hard enough for Mitch to run with a punctured lung, but carrying Tigress while he did this was even harder. Mitch breathed heavily and continued to carry his wife up the slope. The fire was behind them, and they finally reached the top. Mitch wheezed and set down Tigress.
"You need to stay here." Mitch said to her.
Tigress' eyes widened. "Mitch, watch out!"
Mitch tried to turn around but did so in vain. Mitch was tackled by Pantelis and thrown to the ground. Mitch managed to kick him off and get back up, panting. Mitch went into a defensive stance in front of Tigress, who sat up behind Mitch and watched in fear. Pantelis grinned at the Lightning Warrior.
"I see the Lightning Warrior has one more fight left in him." Pantelis said.
The fire was now all around them, but did not go to the top of the mountain. Around Pantelis were a group of snow leopards. Some had swords on their backs and were in defensive stances, clearly showing that they knew Kung Fu. Suddenly, there was thunder, and heavy rain began to fall. The fire still raged, but it was slowly being extinguished. The rain fell from Mitch's face and he rubbed the rain from his eyes. The snow leopards tried to go around Mitch, clearly showing that they wanted to kill Tigress. Mitch growled and stepped towards them, sending them backwards. Pantelis smiled and raised his fist.
"Attack!" He ordered.
The snow leopards rushed at Mitch. The White Tiger grabbed a snow leopard and threw him into his allies, and they all tumbled to the ground. Mitch raised his hand and summoned lightning…but it did not come.
"What is this?" Mitch asked.
Pantelis laughed. "The drink Samina gave you was no fruit drink! It took away your powers as the Lightning Warrior you fool!"
Mitch and Tigress growled in unison when they heard about Samina. She still was a bitch after all.
Mitch felt his movements decrease, as did his breathing. Not again! Not again!
The snow leopards rushed at Mitch again. He punched three down and leapt into the air, performing an aerial roundhouse kick. All of the Snow Leopards fell to the ground. Mitch went over to one and placed his foot on his head. The leopard screamed as Mitchicus crushed his head. Mitch was tackled yet again by Pantelis. The Amur Leopard punched Mitchicus while he was on top of him, and blood began to flow out of Mitch's mouth after a few more punches. Mitch grabbed his throat and threw him off. Mitch struggled up and yelped as a snow leopard cut his arm. Mitch grabbed his arm and broke it, making the leopard draw back. Mitch took his throat and broke it, and the leopard's body fell to the ground. Another leopard leapt onto Mitch's back and stuck his claws into his neck. Mitch yelled in pain and threw the leopard off, straight into the fire. A scream was heard, followed by silence. A leopard leapt into the air at Mitch. The White Tiger kicked him to the ground, and then punched him in the chest, which damaged his heart. The leopard groaned, and blood began to pour from his mouth. Mitch picked him up and threw him into his three other allies. They all fell to the ground. The three, besides the dying man, got off of the ground. The man hit in the heart was lying on the ground dying. They all attacked at once, and Pantelis walked behind Mitch without the White Tiger noticing it. Mitch was already trying to deal with the three, and Pantelis grinned, drawing his sword. Pantelis stabbed Mitchicus, driving through his heart. The other snow leopards backed away from Mitch when they saw this.
"NO!" Tigress shouted as she saw her husband being stabbed.
Mitch wheezed; that was the only sound he made. Pantelis pulled out his sword and walked in front of Mitch, who stood with an emotionless expression.
"I told you that you would perish, Lightning Warrior." Pantelis said grinning.
Mitch grabbed a hold of Pantelis' throat, and the leopard began to gasp. Pantelis stabbed Mitch in the stomach, which made the White Tiger loosen his grip on the leopard. Pantelis drove into him deeper and deeper, until the blade stuck out of the other side of Mitchicus. Mitch let go of Pantelis, and stood with his mouth open, letting out low groans. Tigress watched in horror, her eyes filling with tears. Pantelis pulled out the sword and stood back. Mitch still stood upright, and Pantelis was not pleased. The leopard raised his sword, about to behead Mitchicus. Pantelis heard the other Kung Fu masters coming up the mountain, and he and his snow leopards ran off the mountain, going to rejoin the army and leave the valley. The psychological damage they did was enough.
The rain continued to fall, and the fire had been extinguished. Tigress struggled up and walked towards Mitchicus. He still stood, but did not face her. Tigress turned and the others looked at the two of them, unaware of the wounds that Mitch had received. Mitch wheezed and dropped to his knees. The others saw this and hurried towards Mitch, and Tigress picked up her pace. Mitch groaned and fell to the ground, but was still alive. Tigress turned him over and began to sob.
"Mitch speak to me!" Tigress shouted.
Mitch looked at her and gave a light smile. "Hello my love. It seems that I can't cheat death anymore."
Tigress was terrified. "No Mitch! You're not going to die! We're going to patch you up and we'll be back together, just as we always have been!"
Mitch began to have blood run out of his mouth, and Tigress wiped it away.
Shifu examined Mitch's wound. It was mortal. The blade drove right through his heart. He had no chance of survival. All they could do was be beside him when he passed.
"I wish it could be that easy Tigress." Even in the rain, Tigress noticed the tear that ran down his cheek, and she wiped it away.
"You're going to be fine." Tigress said.
She turned to Shifu, who shook his head. She began to sob even more. She was denying the inevitable.
Mitch took her hand and held it. He turned to Monkey, Mantis, Viper, Crane, and Po.
"Thank you for being my friends. We had some ups and downs, but we made it last." Mitch said to them weakly.
Tears were seen in their eyes. When they harassed Mitch and Tigress, they did it as friends, thinking life would go on and nothing would happen. Now they were ashamed and heartbroken when they realized that they were losing their good friend.
Mitch turned to Shifu. "Master…father…I've been proud to be your son in law, and I thank you for accepting me and letting me stay at the palace."
Shifu actually felt his eyes begin to water, but ignored those feelings.
Mitch slowly turned to Tai Lung. "Brother, you have been with me for so long. You stood by me, and I admired you. You are the greatest friend anyone could have."
Tai Lung nodded, and began to sob. If this was another time, the five would be shocked at this. But here, crying was from everyone.
"I ask you to care for Tigress in my absence, brother." Mitch said weakly.
"I will, brother." Tai Lung said sobbing.
Mitch finally turned to Tigress and smiled.
"Tigress-" Mitch was cut off as she kissed him passionately.
Tigress sobbed louder than ever and looked at him.
"You will always be my true love, and I will love no one else." Tigress said as she wiped away tears.
Mitch pulled her close. "Remember me, Tigress. I will always love you. Stay strong for me."
Mitch turned to them all. "Stay strong, for I am going to a better place."
Mitch's heart rate began to slow. He turned back to Tigress.
"I will always love you." Mitch smiled and kissed her again. "I will never love anyone other than you."
"I will always love you too, my love." Tigress said, fighting back the tears.
Mitch smiled. "Thank you all, thank you, my love."
Mitch slowly closed his eyes and his head fell to the ground, and his hand became limp. Everyone began to sob silently, all of them letting tear after tear out.
They had just lost a great man: a friend, a warrior, a brother, a son, a husband. The Lightning Warrior, Mitchicus, was dead.
Shifu had organized a funeral a few days after the death of Mitch. He sent messages throughout China, to grieve the loss of the Lightning Warrior.
Tigress went into her, and Mitch's room and found his painting, armor, and sword. She put the painting in a section of the Hall of Heroes, a proper place for him, and his armor. She took his sword and unsheathed it. Before he died, he had added Chinese symbols to it: the symbol of lightning was on the hilt, the symbol of strength was on one side of the blade, and the symbol of love was on the other. Tigress knew that the love was meant towards her. It grieved her more to think about him and his time in life. She sheathed the sword and began to think. This was Mitch's sword, which Master Oogway had given him. No one besides him was qualified to have it, so she brought it to his funeral to be burned.
Storm clouds still loomed over the sky when the funeral began. Thunder was heard, but there was no lightning. The entire valley, and people from all over China were at the funeral. Machai was there, who still owed a debt to Mitch, and General Salvius even came. The general walked up to the pyre where Mitch's body was, for his body was to be burned to ashes. A white cloth covered the warrior's body. Salvius put his hand on the cloth that covered the Lightning Warrior's face.
"magnos homines virtute metimur, non fortuna. May you be free." Salvius said and walked away from the pyre.
Tigress stood with an emotionless look. Her eyes were red from crying, but she did not cry anymore. Po, the Five, and Tai Lung did however.
Machai walked forward and placed his hands on Mitch.
"I owed a debt to you for saving my village, but I never was able to pay it. You were a true hero." Machai said as he patted Mitch's body and walked back to where he had stood before.
Tigress was holding the Sword of Destiny, his sword. She walked up to the Pyre and put his hands around the sword.
"You were the love of my life. I never loved anyone more than you; and now I can't be with you. But you must move on without me." Tigress said as a tear ran down her cheek. Tigress wiped it away, and took the Adenandra flower that was on her ear and put it in his hand. She stepped away, looking at the ground rather than his body.
Tai Lung held a torch, which was to be used to light the pyre. Tai Lung walked forward, but a bolt of lightning struck the pyre, causing the pyre to set fire. Mitch's body began to burn, and everyone watched. Suddenly, there was a large flash of lightning that blinded them all, followed by a loud crackle of thunder. When the people looked at the pyre, the sword, the Adenandra, and Mitch's body…were gone. All that remained on the pyre was the white cloth that once covered Mitch's body.
A/N: The Lightning Warrior is dead. There are two songs to describe the mood of this chapter. The first song is "To Die For" from The Lion King, by Hans Zimmer. This song sets the mood for the attack on the Jade Palace, and the final battle of Mitchicus. The second is "Mansions of the Lord/ End Credits" from We Were Soldiers, by Nick Glennie-Smith. This sets the mood for the funeral, and remembering the life of Mitch. This story, and those before it and after it, would not be possible without one man: Your Local Siberian Tiger, a great friend of mine. He has helped me make these stories and we would not have such great tales if it weren't for him. Please read his stories and follow him. Next chapter: Sorrow. The Jade Palace tries to get over the loss of Mitch. Please review, share, comment, and please, no flames!