A/N: This chapter is longer than the others to make up for the delay…aaaand it's not what I planned on writing, but it just happened O_o
"What are you doing here?" Mantis asked the fox before him. Junjie smiled, mischief playing on his lips. Mantis couldn't do anything while Junjie stood at the other side of his master's bed. Shifu, surprisingly, hadn't woken up. This didn't only worry Mantis, it frightened him! His fright turned into panic when all sound vanished and he could only hear deafening silence. Tigress. Po. What happened?
"What does it look like?" Junjie asked taking out a small blade from somewhere between his sleeves. As if the fox was performing a sick magic trick.
"Huh?" Mantis and Junjie heard from the doorway. Mantis now realized he'd stepped into the room and was now closer to Shifu's bed, facing Junjie with cold eyes until he heard the confused sound of someone being utterly confused. Mantis turned around and looked stupefied at the creature lurking there. Although 'lurking' was a big word. The creature seemed to be a koala and Mantis could only watch as Junjie threw his blade in the direction of the koala. Had they forgotten where they were? Mantis turned towards his master and hopped onto his chest, cautious of Junjie's airborne blades.
"Master?" Mantis whispered. The red panda should have heard them long since by now, judging his master's steady breathing, everything was okay. The old master's heart was beating underneath Mantis' clawy 'paws' and he was breathing just fine. Whatever was causing Shifu's nonresponse, it was making the bug anxious.
"What do you want Yōngsú?" Mantis heard. Junjie was looking at the koala, venom within his fiery eyes. Mantis gulped thinking about having to face him soon.
"I want this." Yōngsú said raising his arms up in the air. Junjie took a moment to look up and come to terms with a battle raging on inside him.
"Truly you do not want this run down excuse for a palace, right?" Junjie replied with a huff. Yōngsú looked around the place and turned briefly to inspect the hall of warriors.
"You call this run down?" Yōngsú asked. Junjie gave a sharp nod and stepped up to the koala.
"Imagine. This palace being ruled by us together. We could make this more than just a shrine." The fox said grinning. He could see it before his eyes and unfortunately, so did Mantis. He wanted to object to the name they gave the Jade Palace for this place could hardly be called a shrine. It was a temple of honor, commitment and so much more than anyone could ever fathom. Obviously. "But first, head master Shifu needs to be destroyed." Junjie said turning towards the still master on the bed. Mantis frowned and took a fighting stance. He stood on Shifu's chest, feeling the comforting rise and fall of the older master.
"Yes, but that shouldn't be a problem." Yōngsú said with a smile as he took in the red panda's lifeless form. Mantis jumped at the koala somehow managing to lift him before throwing him back down to the ground.
"Are you still hoping to save what's already slipping away from you?" Junjie asked as he started to laugh. Mantis didn't let the fox' words settle, instead he tried to tackle him. Unfortunately, Junjie jumped up over him and landed gracefully next to Yōngsú.
"As long as at least someone is still standing, nothing is slipping." Mantis said as he advanced again.
Far away in the distance was a hill. Blue eyes gazed at its top, seeing a creature performing some delicate forms of kung fu. Slowly he tried to copy the moves, it didn't work the first time and neither did it go well the next twenty times. Eventually these particular moves had carved themselves into his mind's eye. One night, he stood in front of a full length mirror. He stared at his own reflection, a small red panda was staring right back. For once, someone else copied him as he started to perform the moves, never once leaving his own reflection's eyes as their blue color started to glow in the dimly lit room. A feeling of tranquility passed through his body as he completed the moves with ethereal grace. His smile was as genuine as his happiness that day. He had done it. He turned towards the door and stopped when he saw an old turtle standing in the doorway. Master Oogway. The red panda thought.
"I wasn't able to do that at your age. It takes mastery of control and balance." The old turtle spoke. "You did very well, Shifu." He added with a proud smile. Shifu smiled back and bowed silently thankful for his master's kind words.
"You shouldn't praise him, master, he's been on that even before I ever met him." A voice from somewhere behind the turtle said. Shifu narrowed his eyes in contempt, seeing his fellow student standing there, mocking him with his very presence.
"I praise whomever I want and whenever I want, Junjie. I tell the truth when I say he did well, in fact, he did better than you today." Came master Oogway's reply. Junjie gaped at their master as the turtle left the room. Shifu saw hatred burning inside Junjie's eyes as the young fox turned towards him. Shifu turned around to face the mirror once more, he avoided Junjie's reflection. Instead he looked into his own eyes. He saw himself standing in a brown and green robe, his eyes betraying his age. In his right paw he was holding master Oogway's staff. No. Shifu closed his eyes, knowing very well he would outlive his master. When he next opened his eyes he saw Mantis standing in front of the one he swore to destroy should time prove itself right.
In a matter of mere seconds, Junjie and Yōngsú lay sprawled on the wooden floor. Mantis tilted his head in confusion. He had no clue what happened until he saw master Shifu standing next to him. Mantis's spirits lifted when he saw Shifu standing next to him. Passively, Shifu started to do something Mantis had never seen before. He stepped back, allowing his master the space he might need. Slowly but surely, Shifu's eyes started to become brighter, an enchanting blue glowing brightly. Mantis looked at his master's delicate movements, ignoring Junjie's horrified stare when the fox had regained his senses from the sudden attack. Shifu stopped, his chest feeling heavier than ever before. He faltered right before he was about to complete it, Junjie's triumphant smile made Shifu ignore his body's complaints. He continued quickly while he could still see its effects. The world slowed down as a sudden light blasted Junjie and Yōngsú out of his room and into the hall of warriors. Shifu didn't want them in his palace. Mantis hopped after him when the red panda walked away. Walked. Not limped. Mantis noted instantly.
"Fool, you never used it against anyone, you should heed Oogway's warnings!" Junjie shouted at his former teammate. Shifu just smirked when he felt the heavy feeling on his chest dissipate. Mantis gaped for a moment until he realized he should probably get the others. As fast as he could, he hopped outside. He saw Tigress and Po and 'unfroze' them quickly.
"Mantis..-" Tigress began, but paused when the hall of warriors became a heated inferno. They stared in horrified fascination as their home was being devoured by destructive flames.
"Master Shifu is still inside!" Mantis shouted.
"What?!" Po yelled back. There was no entrance, everything was being engulfed in flames. Wait. Po looked at the fire, his eyes scanning the building. There was no sign of it breaking down. He lifted his paw, his mind set on reaching the building behind the red flames.
"Po! Don't!" He heard Tigress call. Po looked back and smiled reassuringly. He stuck his paw through the flames and winced as if in agony. But there was nothing. There was warmth and the heat was breathing into his face, but there was no burning. He stepped through the flames and into the building. Po looked around, but there was no one there. "Wow, who would have thought?" Tigress' voice came from behind him. Po turned towards her and frowned in thought. The fire wasn't real, but why? Why create an illusion like this? Po left the burning building and looked around the palace. When his gaze flickered up towards the peach tree he saw Shifu standing there looking down at him. Though something was wrong. Junjie appeared behind the red panda and Po realized why the fire was blazing on behind him.
"This was all for naught." Junjie said shaking his head in disappointment. No it wasn't. Shifu started smiling. He'd played fate all along. This was meant to happen, yet it was not for it was all an illusion. He'd set the palace on fire. He had created a mirage of his students, laying helplessly on the ground. Shifu turned towards Junjie breaking eye contact with Po. "What? Why are you smiling?" Junjie asked. Yōngsú had disappeared somewhere and Shifu was certain he knew where. Without hesitation he kicked the tree and the koala fell down on top of Junjie.
"I was counting." Yōngsú muttered angrily.
"This," Shifu began pointing towards the scene before him, the illusion he'd set up for his attackers. "This is what happens when you fill your head with broken dreams." Shifu said. A simple movement of his paw erased the fire from existence. The surreal reality faded away from everyone's eyes. Po, Tigress and Mantis watched the fire die down with a smile.
"The Conflagration of Xiǎn was..-" Junjie couldn't bring himself to finish his sentence, seeing Shifu was smiling with pride. The Conflagration of Xiǎn, were very hard moves to master, but its intent would certainly come of service. It wasn't meant to kill attackers, but create an illusion of anything the master wished to hide. It was often used by Xiǎn to create a semblance of fire destroying something of value.
"You should have read the thousand scrolls, Junjie." Shifu said.
"No! How many scrolls are there really?" Shifu heard the up-to-now-silent koala ask. Not understanding what he was going on about Shifu decided to leave the question unanswered.
"Imbecile!" Junjie shouted at the koala. Out of the corner of his eye, Shifu saw crane flying up to them. "Arg, next time things won't end like this." Junjie stated. Shifu heard shouting down the stairs and looked to see rhino guards running up to the palace gates.
"No, you're right." Shifu said waving at the guards, catching their attention immediately. "Because there won't be a next time."
"Indeed." Junjie replied. He pulled one of his blades from his sleeves and threw it at the kung fu master. Shifu had no time to avoid it, but instead of pain he felt the air come to life around him. The wind picked up and the blade was thrown off course and down towards one of the guards who took no time rushing up to meet his assaulter. Shifu looked to where the wind had started to flare up. He smiled as he saw Crane returning his smile.
"Are you okay, master?" Po asked when he saw Shifu entering the kitchen. He limped towards the table and heaved a sigh.
"I am, Po." He said as the panda served him his special noodle soup. "Thank you." Shifu said welcoming the smell as much as the bowl in front of him.
"How did you learn that move, master?" Mantis asked. Everyone had returned home the moment they'd seen the fire. Even from the distance, Crane, Viper and Monkey were able to see the red lightening up the sky.
"Practice." Shifu stated simply. "It's not something you should use often in combat." He said reminding himself of the story of what happened to Xiǎn. The old eagle had used it far too often. The fire had become destructive and consumed Xiǎn without mercy. Illusion turned into reality. It's what most people were afraid of.
"Will you teach us?" Po asked excitedly. Shifu turned towards the panda, his expression as stoic as ever.
"No." Shifu answered. Po's excitement dropped when he realized the red panda was serious. "No one should ever master it." Shifu said solemnly. Destruction shouldn't be cherished without knowing its true face.
They returned to their training schedules the next day. Shifu was meditating in the yard when a thought struck him. The Conflagration of Xiǎn wasn't nearly as destructive as he assumed. His heart had been beating just fine ever since he pushed passed the aching in his chest while performing Xiǎn's Conflagration. What if the move wasn't complete after all? What if he could perfect it so it won't create illusions, but instead heal? That's why the fire had consumed Xiǎn. It wasn't complete. Shifu opened his eyes as realization hit him. Pink flower petals were dancing around him, they dropped once he stood up from his meditative position. He started to perform The Conflagration of Xiǎn, moving his feet and arms slightly different. A comforting feeling rushed through him and he felt an old ache heal. He smiled to himself, unaware of two curious green eyes watching him. Po was trying to copy him, but it didn't work so he tried and tried until it did. Shifu finally noted the difference in the air and looked down to see Po performing the improved version of The Conflagration of Xiǎn. Shifu growled under his breath.
"He did it again in one day." Shifu muttered to himself with a heavy sigh.
THE END
A/N: This really wasn't what I had planned! X'D My apologies!
**Conflagration means fire and Xiǎn means conflagration in Chinese ;)
