The Rise and Fall of Kai
Chapter 7
A/N: I guess this is the chapter people have been waiting for. I could be mean and delay it but I'm a nice guy so I'll get on with the chapter.
Shout outs –
Zuozhe – You couldn't be more right if you tried, there will be blood indeed but whose is the question and yeah this chapter does play a huge part in the story.
LTspade – Yeah I love adding humour into my work, it's hard finding the right time to add it in especially as I'm coming to an important scene so the humour will be toned down as I can't see them joking in a situation like this other than Mantis and Po :P
Randomskit – I'm glad you like the humour I added into my story; It's also nice to see your review on here like others should be doing (looking at the 50 visitors that didn't review .) It means a lot that I'm getting new reviews so thanks.
To the people who do read this please leave a review especially for this chapter as I've been building up to this for a quite a while now and I want to hear your reaction at the end of this chapter. You don't need an account to review on my stories but it would be nice so I can message you back with thanks. But enough with my pleading for reviews and let's get on with this chapter. -Cobra
The silvery light which was created by the mood slowly cascaded downwards bathing the Valley in a tranquil setting. High up looking down at the Valley a white feline sat beside an old peach tree watching the Valley with a protective gaze. The feline's ears perked up when he heard soft footsteps approach him from behind. As Kai looked around he saw an aged red panda walking up to the peach tree that the feline was occupying.
As the red panda closed in on the feline he sat beside in lotus position and admired the same sight with the feline. Kai let his gaze wander from Shifu back to the Valley where it was calm and quiet.
The feline sighed "It's the calm before the storm."
Shifu's eyebrow raised and turned his attention to the tiger sitting beside him. "What makes you think there will be a storm Kai?"
The feline smiled before nodding. "Have you ever noticed your days become longer and the sudden appreciation of what you have?"
Shifu looked with confusion "Days becoming longer? I can't say that I have why?"
Kai looked up at the night sky and watched the stars shine brightly in midnight sky. "I've had this feeling ever since that fight in the noodle shop. Is this the feeling you get when you know you're going to die?"
Shifu's face contorted into a cold scolding look. "You are not going to die Kai; you are much too young for that."
Kai shook his head and laughed. "You're never too young to die. I don't mind now really as long as those I love are spared from the same fate, Tell me Shifu would you sacrifice yourself to guard Tigress and the others?"
Shifu's ears flattened against his skull as he picked up Oogway's staff. "Yes, I tried once before when Tai Lung attacked the Valley."
Kai nodded and smiled at the sight below as the Valley was peaceful and blissfully ignorant of the dangers that face this Valley on a constant basis.
"So when do you leave?" Kai never let his gaze leave the village
The aged red panda sighed "I have a feeling that I shouldn't leave but I can't let a village suffer, myself and the Five excluding Tigress will be leaving just before sunrise."
Kai opened his paw to look at it as he did a peach fell into his paw; Shifu chuckled at the act of the peach tree while the feline looked confused.
Shaking his head Kai placed the peach by the base of the peach tree before looking back at the village below.
"Kai...I must leave to prepare for the journey please at the sign of trouble I ask of you to leave as well. You have become much of our family as well." Kai looked at the aged panda touched at his words.
"Thank you master but you know that I will not leave until my parents and the villagers are safe..." Shifu sighed and nodded gravely as the red panda made his way to prepare he heard the feline call his name.
"Thank you..." Shifu looked confused for a moment and then smiled.
"Remember no skipping your training or there will be hell to pay!" Kai rolled his eyes at his statement and watched the old red panda disappear out of sight.
As the white feline moved back to his spot beside the peach tree he noticed the sky starting to lighten up meaning sunrise was soon approaching. As Kai looked down into the Valley he noticed a multitude of shops setting up for the approaching day.
As time passed on he noticed Shifu and the others making their way down the thousand steps towards the village in danger. As he watched them make their descent he noticed Po and Monkey turn and wave goodbye, Kai smiled and nodded before waving goodbye himself.
Once seeing them leave Kai decided it was best to get some breakfast inside of him for the day. As he reached the kitchen Tigress was sitting in her seat eating some tofu. When Kai saw the tofu his lips curled up in disgust.
"How do you eat that crap?" Kai saw that Po left some noodle soup on the side for Tigress and Kai and walked over to it and grabbed a bowl.
Tigress looked at the tofu and shrugged "It's healthy and keeps me going it's all I need."
Tigress grinned at the realisation "I'm sure you'll love it besides with Po gone all you'll be able to eat is tofu." Kai choked as he swallowed some noodles.
"I'd rather die than eat tofu." Tigress grinned at his statement.
"Guess I'll have to force it down your neck then." Kai finished his bowl of soup and left Tigress do whatever she does in the morning.
Slowly Kai ascended towards his room and grabbed his cloak and katana from his bedroom, he had a strange feeling that should be with him just in case. As he made his way to the training hall to find Tigress he threw his cloak over his back and tied it around his neck. As he did so the cloak flowed over his back concealing his katana and only showing the front of his black vest and black shorts he trained in.
As the feline made his way to the training hall he heard shouts of violence coming from the room. As he opened the large doors he noticed Tigress flying through gauntlet of wooden warriors and pieces of wood flying up as she demolished them one by one.
Kai decided against sparring with Tigress not when she was demolishing wooden warriors without breaking a sweat. As he looked over the room he noticed his cleaning and sharpening kit in the corner of the room.
'That's where I left it' the feline was happy to ignore to the other feline as he walked over to his kit he decided to sharpen his sword. Kai spent 3 hours sharpening his blade and he would have kept going if Tigress stopped pestering him.
"Kai you've been sharpening that thing for hours now...I bet its sharp enough to slice through flesh."
Kai looked up at the orange striped feline while grinding the sword with his sharpening stone. "What else am I going to do? Because I'm not going to spar with you." Tigress narrowed her eyes at the last part.
"Why not?" Kai stood up and sheathed his sword and pulled his cloak over his hip to conceal it.
"For all I know...that little trip Shifu is on is a diversion." Tigress looked at Kai like he was paranoid.
"Kai they couldn't possibly know that you're still here." Kai shook his head which made Tigress confused.
"They had scouts here before I saw them a week ago probably eyeing me up...for all we know they could've sent that distress call to get you lot away from here and hope I didn't go like last time."
Tigress' eyes widened before turning into a scowl. "Why didn't you tell us they sent scouts here? That changes a lot of things...Kai you're an idiot sometimes."
Kai walked over towards the exit of the training hall. "I forgot I guess."
Tigress shook her head and barged pass the white feline growling. "I'll go inform the watch guards they'll give us time if something approaches."
Over the next couple of hours Kai sat down in his room anxiously waiting for any second for the warning alarms to go off...but nothing. Frustrated Kai decided to get some sleep hoping to forget the situation.
As Kai woke up the following day it seemed normal as he walked out of the barracks he heard the shouting and crashing noises come from the training hall a sign of Tigress training. As Kai headed into the kitchen he grabbed two glasses and poured water into them. Carefully taking the water towards training hall.
(With Master Shifu's group)
As they kept walking overnight to cut the time of the journey they soon reached their destination as they got closer they could smell ash as it wafted through the air, as they passed the brush they felt intense heat hit them and stood shocked what they saw. The whole village was burning and one figure stood on the outskirts with its back turned towards them.
Shifu was the first to notice the figure calmly watching the village burn as he narrowed his eyes to see through the smoke he noticed the bushy tail of a wolf and the build of one too. As the group walked towards the wolf in the smoke the canine turned around with a sickening smile.
"Who are you?" Shifu's tone was cold and demanding which made the wolf cackle.
"That's not important Master Shifu. Try again." Shifu narrowed his eyes at the wolf that was playing an absurd game with him.
"What do you want then?" the wolf waggled his finger disapprovingly with the same smile plastered across his face
"I want nothing. Try again." Shifu was losing his patience.
"What are you doing here?" the wolf clapped his hands sarcastically
"There you go. About time too...simple...I'm here to distract. You." Shifu's eyes widened in surprise.
"You'll pay for what you've done here!" Po couldn't help but butt in.
The wolf laughed manically at the panda at his words. "It won't be me paying...It'll be that little white kitty friend you have that will do all the paying." Po felt his stomach turn into a knot while Shifu's world came crashing down.
"Lord Wu sends his regards." With that the village exploded with bright light making the group shield their eyes as the light faded enough so they could see the wolf was gone and they were standing there in shock.
Shifu felt his heart throbbing in his ears. "Students we need to get back to the Valley...Kai is in danger." With that the group charged back the way the way they came at break neck speed.
(Back at the Jade Palace)
As Kai handed Tigress the glass of water she gladly accepted and downed quickly. Kai was lifting the glass to his lips when the warning alarms were sounding off. As the banging of the gongs went through his mind he heard the glass he was holding shatter on the floor as he dropped it.
Closing his eyes in emotional pain Kai took a deep breath and knew what needed to be done. "Tigress take my parents and the villagers you can save and leave." Kai grabbed his katana and attached it to his hip.
"Kai..."
"Tigress. Go. NOW! All I ask you is to save my parents." Tigress nodded and rushed off down towards the village.
Kai stood there for a moment collecting his thoughts before taking one final deep breath as he walked to the closed training hall door he felt a primal urge rise up through him as he got closer to the door he pushed them open with such force that it flew open.
The white feline eventually made it to steep descent of the thousand steps as he descended he felt a cold chill run up and down his spine with every step he took as he walked further he looked down towards the Valley's main street which was rather wide as he did so he saw a large group of wolves gathered around.
Kailì the large muscular brown wolf looked up at the steep steps and saw a lone figure walk calmly towards his pack. Chuckling at the bravery or the stupidity of the figure which he guessed to be the feline he was after Kailì informed his pack of the figure in which they laughed.
As white feline reached the bottom of the steps he walked towards the large group of wolves; Kai guessed there were at least 30-40 of them. 'So this is where it ends.' As Kai approached he flicked his cloak out from his right sword and agilely pulled out his katana with a loud hiss noise as the blade was released from the scabbard.
When Kailì saw the blade being drawn and the hiss of the metal he knew the blade was unbelievably sharp and that could easily cut through armour and muscle with ease. As the feline got closer Kailì couldn't help but laugh as the white feline's black cloak flapped in wind with his katana beside his body giving him this look that was legendary warrior.
When Kai stopped a good 50ft away from the large pack of canines he guessed the incredibly large brown wolf was the pack leader. As Kai looked him up he noticed battle scars across his arms and face and guessed there were more behind his leather armour he wore. The white feline snorted at the rest of the pack that looked like runts compared to the brown canine.
"I guess you're not Lord Wu then?" the large brown wolf snorted at the question
"What gave it away kid." The reply was dripping with sarcasm.
Kai laughed in the face of danger "Well you don't look like a regal lord."
Kailì glared at the audacity of the feline to laugh at him when he's outnumbered 40 to 1. "You ready for death kid? You're totally outnumbered."
Kai stared at the pack behind who growled and snarled drawing their swords, maces and spears. Kai nodded before shrugging. "I may be outnumbered...but I'm never outmanned besides if I'm going to die here I might as well take as many with me." Kai looked at most of the pack unimpressed his statement was true these wolves looked awful using swords. Their grip was either too tight as Kai saw the blades shake from the pressure or the blades wobble from the lack of pressure.
"Nice little speech there kid but I've got a job to do so let's cut the chit-chat. I'm getting bored." The large brown decided to give his pack some fun by roaring signalling for the pack to start.
Kai watched as a group of five wolves with spears surround him and lower their weapons toward him. Kai smiled as he watched their spears move unsteadily. For a moment Kai waited with patience for them to strike first. The five wolves all looked at each other confused before Kailì growled. "Screw the battle plan, just kill him!"
All five warriors lunged at the feline simultaneously and watched as he leapt to floor in a ball and rolled back and sprung his feet upwards into the jaw of the unsuspecting wolf behind him. The force from the kick not only allowed Kai to flip and land on his feet but the wolf he kicked was sent in the air. Two of the wolves were too busy watching the spectacle forgetting they were still charging and impaled each other with their spears.
Kailì watched as three of his spearmen were taking down in seconds by one move. 'Stupid idiots impaling each other.'
Kai looked at the last two wolves of this attack in front of him. The one to left of Kai looked nervous and was shaking while the other one looked incredibly angry. The wolf to the right was the first to make his move by thrusting the spear in a straight line for Kai's chest. The white feline saw the spear coming and used his katana in his left paw to parry the blow. While blocking the strike Kai launched his right paw towards the canine's temple and threw all his weight behind the punch. As the fist connected with canine's temple Kai heard a snap and watched the wolf's eye roll back into his head while he slumped to the floor. The last wolf was now scared about dying like his teammates and out of desperation he swung the spear over his head and tried to bring the weapon down on Kai's head. As the weapon was about to make contact, the white feline sidestepped to the right making the spear clash with the ground. Sensing the opportunity Kai stomped his foot on the spear snapping it in half.
Kai watched the last wolf look in shock as he watched his spear being snapped into two. A few seconds later Kai launched a fake attack by launching his body forward but keeping his feet still. The wolf's instincts kicked in and made him fall over and scramble back to the pack for protection. As the feline watched the pathetic canine cower he couldn't help but laugh.
Kai looked at the large wolf and gave him an unimpressed look. "Listen Doggy that was pathetic to say the least..."
Kailì growled at the demeaning name. "Fine you want to die quickly..." the large brown wolf snapped his fingers and ten wolves equipped with swords stepped forward.
Kai nodded and stepped back a little to get some space. There was a few moments before the ten wolves all lunged together and started swinging frantically left , right and up the swung giving Kai the only option to keep moving back but that was cut off as four of them moved behind him and started to swing violently.
Kai felt a few sharp edges nick and graze his fur but some managed to cut him not deep however just a small cut. Kai quickly ducked to the floor and swung his katana with all his strength in front of him slicing the legs of six wolves in one move.
Three of wolves that were cut fell to floor howling in pain while the other three whimpered and tried to limp away. The four behind him get up the attack when Kai went to floor slicing his back which made the feline cringe in pain. Fighting thorough it Kai lifted up and swung his blade at the wolves necks in attempt to decapitate them. The first wolf had no chance to react and the blade cut through with ease, the second wolf stepped back only for the blade to slice his throat wide open and blood to gush out. The third and fourth wolf ducked and rolled away from the feline.
Now with three wolves incapacitated, three wolves fleeing and two wolves dead Kai breathed an assessed the damage he could feel. The white feline felt his cloak torn open where the blade sliced and felt blood trickle down his back. The two remaining wolves started to circle the feline waiting for the right time to strike. The two wolves stood on either side of Kai as the two wolves looked at each other they nodded silently trying to get the drop on the feline. As the two canines charged they both aimed for his head as the swords flew towards Kai's neck he swiftly ducked making the two swords clash. As he heard the metallic clang Kai drove his sword into the chest of the wolf to his left before planning a kick into the other wolf's chest. Just as he was about to finish the last wolf of this attack Kai heard laughter roar from the pack. Not taking a chance Kai looked over towards the pack to see the large brown wolf holding up two small geese.
As Kai looked closer he felt his breath hitch when he saw them. "Mother...Father?" the large brown wolf smiled sickeningly.
"What's wrong kid lost the will to fight?" Kai felt a foot kick him behind the knee which made him drop to his knees. Kai felt his katana drop out of his paw as reality struck him. "Let them go." The feline's voice was quite and sounded like pleading.
Kailì smiled when he saw the feline master on his knees before him. "15 of my men couldn't stop you but capturing two old geese brings a mighty master to their knees? That's a first ain't it lads!" the pack then roared in laughter.
Kai felt anger swell inside of him. "Where did you find them?" the wolves laughed again when two wolves; one with a limp and the other Kai saw on the hills a week ago.
"I told you that it wasn't over didn't I" the wolf with the limp gloated his victory.
The brown wolf next to him smiled "We found them alone just on the valley borders."
Kai felt confused and then felt rage devour his soul. 'She abandoned them...she BETRAYED ME!'
Kailì watched as the feline's eyes turn cold and emotionless like an empty void. As Kailì stared into the white feline's void like blue eyes he felt a cold spike run up his spine that made him shiver. The wolves watched as the feline stood up and smiled when the wolf he kicked earlier about to kick him again. As the foot connected with the back of Kai's knee he felt nothing. The wolves stood there as they saw the feline look toward the wolf that kicked him and grab the canine by the throat. Kailì was amazed at the sudden strength the feline conjured from nowhere. Kai felt the rage pump through his blood and lifted the canine off of the ground one handed. As the canine was being lifted he kicked and thrashed around until Kai's paw slowly squeezed until there was snapping sound and then the canine went limp. Tossing the body to one side like a rag doll he set his eyes on the pack leader.
Kailì saw the unbridled rage in his eyes that made even the mighty wolf think twice. As the feline stepped closer Kailì threatened the geese which made the feline stop dead in his track.
"Unless you want dead parents you better stop coming to me." Kai growled menacingly
Kailì sadistically laughed at the control he had over enraged feline. "On your knees kitten...or these little geese will stop breathing.
Kai reluctantly went to his knee's "Let them go...NOW!" Kailì laughed and shook his head. Tai Wu also laughed. The small brown timber wolf limped over towards Kai's katana and picked it up and admired it.
"This was the blade you used to cut my hamstring and now it will be the blade that...ENDS YOUR LIFE!" With that Tai rammed Kai's own sword through his stomach and delighted in the primal roar of pain that came from the feline.
Tai Wu watched as Kai's head slumped down towards the ground however Tai wasn't finished yet. The cripple wolf grabbed the feline by the head and raised it so he could look at his parents. With a feral snarl Tai leaned in. "Watch them...watch them as I kill their meaningless life."
Tai dropped Kai's head as he slumped to the ground with the blade still inside him. Kai tried to fight back but felt light headed and dizzy. As Kai lifted his head as he watched with horror and rage as his parents were wringed by Tai starting with his father then his mother.
Kai stood up and stumbled a while before gaining his footing. "You. I will KILL you and your father and every other moron that steps in my way. That is my vow." Kai pulled the katana out of his stomach and dropped it before lunging at Tai just as he was about to reach the crippled wolf a large black paw collided with his face sending Kai's vision to darkness.
The last thing Kai felt before he passed out was a cold empty feeling that crept upon him. There was no light to greet him or the heat of damnation all that met Kai was a void.
A large group of bunnies and geese assembled outside of the Valley a good safe distance away from the fighting. Behind this group an orange striped feline stood watch over them. As Tigress' scanned the faces she couldn't see Kai's parents anywhere her thought was interrupted as she heard a multitude of howls and roars. Deciding it was time to help Kai she charged back to the valley on all fours as she got closer to the main street she noticed it was deserted apart from the dead and severely injured bodies. As she scanned the damage all she saw were canines. When she looked closely however she saw a trail of blood that was smeared leading out of town. As she bent down and sniffed the blood her heart sank and mind span. The blood belonged to Kai. The sound of laughter and coughing is what she heard next and saw a canine laughing at the striped feline.
Tigress stalked up to the canine and stomped her foot on his chest making cough out blood. "What happened to the tiger!"
The canine laughed again and spat blood at Tigress "Captain Tai stabbed that little kitten through the stomach making him bleed...and then dragged him off so he would die a slow death this time. Your friend is as good as dead." Tigress' rage overflowed as she quickly snapped the canine's neck. Another canine was looking and tried to crawl away. Tigress noticed he had a large cut wound on his leg making him unable to move quickly.
As she walked over to the canine he started begging for mercy. Tigress wasn't feeling sympathetic and kicked him the stomach. "What happened?"
"The white tiger gave up when those two geese were brought here." Tigress was confused Kai barely gave up as she turned her attention towards what he was describing; she saw Kai's parents dead.
Tigress walked gravely over towards the bodies and sat down beside them with her face buried in her paws. "If I saved you, Kai could've still been alive..." for the first time in years Tigress felt tears welling up behind her eyes
"This...this is my entire fault." Tigress sat there playing through the different scenarios of what could've been.
The thing that brought Tigress out of her thoughts was two large black arms that wrapped around her. "Tigress...I...Don't know what to say..." Po looked over the scene and guess at what happened.
The aged red panda heavy hearted walked to where the blood smears were before muttering. "I should've trusted my feelings...and now my students have suffered from my mistakes." Shifu's ears flattened against his skull
Viper was coiled up sobbing at the loss of a friend with Crane trying to cheer her up but with no success. Monkey was devastated he just sat with Kai's katana in his hands staring at it. Mantis was silent for once but deep down he was crushed too.
Crane looked up towards Shifu who sat there grasping his old master's staff. "What now master?"
Shifu's ears perked up and turned towards his students who were all now focused on him. "We give Kai what he deserves...A true master's funeral."
The group nodded gravely before making their slow ascent towards the palace.
A/N: Before you ask 'Did you really do that?' Yes I did. It hurt for me to do it but it gives me a chance to work with the current characters that I believe I've been neglecting. The story is far from over. Let me know what you thought of this ending and those that like Kai please don't kill me lol –Cobra