Chapter 6: Return of an Enemy
Later that night while Miracle, Drake and Angel slept, Shifu revealed Miracle's true identity to the Five and Po. "You mean she is Tai-Lung's daughter?" Mantis exclaimed.
"It would appear so," Shifu said still in shock. He couldn't believe it that Tai-Lung was alive and had a child.
"But she seems so nice and so does her mom," Crane said.
"Just because she is Tai-Lung's daughter and Angel is his wife doesn't make them evil," Viper said firmly.
"Are they running from him?" Monkey asked.
"If they were then why didn't they tell us in the first place?" Tigress asked.
"Maybe they thought we wouldn't help them," Po suggested.
"No, my students from what I heard from Miracle is that her father has changed. He is no longer the person we once feared. According to Miracle her father is good and is being hunted by a gorilla named Hiro, who says Tai-Lung did something horrible to him. Tai-Lung sent them here to be protected while he tries to convince Hiro that he is no longer the monster we all remembered," Shifu said. He heard it from Miracle herself and he didn't believe it. When Tai-Lung turned on him and Oogway it was like Shifu had been stabbed in the back as well as the heart. Was it possible that after all this time he had returned to the side of good again? Shifu wanted to believe that more than anyone but if Tai-Lung was still evil he would have to be sent back to jail. Poor Miracle truly believes her father is good. How can you tell someone the person they love and respect above all others was evil?
Still he could be wrong and Tai-Lung was good again. "Master what do you suggest we do?" Tigress asked breaking the silence. They all looked at him with worried glances.
"Right now we act like we know nothing. But keep a close eye on Angel and a closer eye on Miracle. We don't know if Tai-Lung is good or evil so be on guard and try to get some information out of Miracle. She seems to think she knows her father well maybe there is a clue as to if he is good or not," Shifu said rubbing his chin.
"What about Drake? If Miracle told him about Tai-Lung surely she would tell him other secrets?" Tigress thought.
"No best to leave him out of this. Try to keep this as quiet as possible. Like I said we don't know the full story and we shouldn't jump to conclusions," Master Shifu said.
"Yes Master," they all said together.
"Good now go to sleep and tomorrow I will talk with Miracle and Po, you and Tigress escort Angel to work and keep an eye on her. In case this Hiro character shows up," Shifu said.
"Yes Master" they all said with a bow and went to bed. Shifu walked through the courtyard as he meditated near the Pool of Sacred Tears. Flash back scene: A six year old Tai-Lung was running through the gardens. Shifu watched as a smile came to his face. Seeing the young boy practice his punches and kicks and improving by the day. "Tai-Lung it is lunch time," Shifu called.
"Yes Father," Tai-Lung said smiling as he ran up to Shifu and bowed.
"You are improving my son you will make a fine warrior someday," Shifu told him.
"Will I get to be the Dragon Warrior father?" Tai-Lung asked with an excited face.
"I bet you will be and when you are the Dragon Warrior you will be the greatest one of them all," Shifu said. Tai-Lung laughed happily as they went inside. Years later.
"Master are you sure Tai-Lung is not the Dragon Warrior?" a much older Shifu asked. He was in shock when his Master denied his son the title.
"Forgive me Shifu but he is not the Dragon Warrior," Oogway said in a sad tone.
"How dare you deny me my right? I am the Dragon Warrior and if you won't give it to me then I will take it!" a much older Tai-Lung roared and attacked Oogway.
Shifu emerged from his meditation with tears in his eyes. He remembered how good Tai-Lung once was and how evil he became. "Please let my son become good again," he begged with a tear falling from his face. Then he went to his room to sleep. The next morning Shifu took Miracle for a stroll in the gardens.
"Wow Master Shifu it sure is beautiful here," Miracle exclaimed with a smile. Her eyes sparkled with happiness as she now knew that Drake knew her secret and vowed to keep it. Now she had someone else to confine in when it came to her father. She would talk to her mother but just mentioning her father made her mom cry.
"Yes, it is quite beautiful. You know someone once long ago thought these gardens were just as beautiful," Shifu said as he formed a plan to get information from Miracle,
"I bet it was Master Tigress right?" Miracle asked with a smile.
"Actually it was someone before Master Tigress. Um Miracle have you ever heard of a snow leopard named Tai-Lung?" he asked. He wanted to see the girl's reaction and if he found none he would drop it. Apparently little Miracle perfected her father's way of hiding her emotions.
"Sorry I don't seem to recall that name why do you ask?" Miracle asked calmly. Shifu looked into her eyes and saw a small trace of fear. Of what he was not certain about but was determined to help her.
"You know Miracle I am a good person right?" he asked her.
"Yes, "Miracle said unsure where he was going with this.
"And I want you to trust me so, if there is something that is bothering you. You can tell me or one of the Five or Po. We are all good people and we just want you to feel safe. I can tell something is bothering you dear and you don't have to tell me but does it have to do anything with your father?" he asked. Miracle's expression did not change as she fought back tears.
"Um I have to go I think I hear Drake calling me," Miracle said as she turned to leave.
"Miracle remember no one here will harm you all we want to do is to help. But you have to let us," Shifu said. She looked into his eyes and felt she could trust him.
"Master Shifu my father is," she began but just then a huge gorilla came bursting through the garden.
"I found you devil spawn!" Hiro yelled.
"Miracle get behind me!" Shifu barked. The young snow leopard looked on in fear. "Who are you and what do you want?" Shifu asked.
"I am Hiro I have come for the devil spawn and the witch to use them as bait to lure the monster known as Tai-Lung into my trap so I can kill him," Hiro hissed. "I have no quarrel with you just give me the child and I will leave you alone," Hiro said.
"I don't think so," Shifu said and attacked Hiro. The massive gorilla smacked Shifu away like he was a fly. Then Shifu crashed into a tree as Miracle knelt beside him petrified with fear.
"Now I will take you devil spawn," Hiro growled. Just then an inhuman roar was heard and Miracle smiled. Standing just a few feet away from them was her father, Tai-Lung.
"Get away from them!" he roared and attacked Hiro.
Author's Note: Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and please review.