Chapter 11

A Legendary Battle

Skyler swiftly closed into the Jade Palace, holding his breath for others not to hear. He clutched his sword tightly. He pounded up against a tree, panting now. Peeking out to the Jade Palace, he found the coast was clear. The perfectly white snow was still piled high all around the area, as the wolf easily blended in. This was perfect, for it gave him the chance to strike in complete surprise. The sun was high in the air, and clouds started to set in. He breathed hard, as he slowly crept toward the palace, in complete, utter silence.

Master Shifu came to the training room, finding Tigress and Monkey training each other with the long, black wooden swords the palace provided for them. He slowly walked over to them, as they were now swinging hard at each other. He grunted, sticking his arm in the middle of their battle, tripping Tigress as she was about to strike. "If you want to know how to battle with a sword, you must complete the proper training courses."

"Yes, master. But master... I have a longing feeling that I have to learn it now." Tigress bowed.

Monkey looked at her, then hesitated. "Skyler is coming back to take back the Dragon Scroll. And supposedly defeat us all."

"What?" Master Shifu ordered, tense.

Tigress carried on. "The only way to defeat him is to fight together, with his own style: his own weaponry." She held up her wooden sword. "I know much, but I long to know more."

"You know nothing of this type! Sword fighting... you are not at that stage yet! None the less, you haven't learned how to use a staff!" Shifu hissed.

"My friend; Song, taught me how to use a long sword. For many years I have been-"

"I do not care about what you know, I care about how you will handle this supposed enemy that may come back! You won't even try your own technique to defeat him, even when you are a mighty master of kung fu! You have mastered the profession of the tiger; therefore I cannot train you to learn the profession of the dragon, atleast not yet. This is a mistake..."

He stopped himself. There are no mistakes.

Shifu clenched his fists, soon looking up at Tigress. "Fine... if you are willing to learn what you have never learned before, I will encourage you to. But..." He thought. "When that wolf comes for you, I will not be there to help... for I will have different matters attending. Tai Lung... is also coming back." He lowered his head.

"Master...?" Monkey asked. "How do you know?"

Shifu slowly raised his head. "A dream. Long, long ago. 4 years ago. After his depart. And now, 'Once one of the masters brings horrifying news, you will find light, in the darkest of places: Tai Lung, a confused warrior sheds light in the dark cave in which you walk, deceived in.' He quoted from his dream. He then sighed. 'He will come and stay, but will have lost a life of one of his loved ones – a remnant of a friend will be left in him, but the rest is to be forgotten, for he will be empty from then on.'" Shifu looked up at Tigress, who was now frowning. "I know... one of us may be lost. Killed by the seeker of the Dragon Scroll." He slowly made his way out to his room, soon turning back. "I...." He looked down, soon sighing depressingly. "Carry on. Train well. And, defeat... Skyler. For the valley... for kung fu." He walked out, leaving Monkey and Tigress there, dumbfounded, mouths open with shock, as horror filled their hearts.

Sky jumped into the snow, soon scurrying across the stone field. He jumped the hot springs, and sprinted silently towards the palace. He knew that this was the day that he would become the next Dragon Warrior. The real... Dragon Warrior.

Tai Lung sat on the steps, squinting at the snow. He could see nothing, for the snow was too bright. He slowly got up, upon seeing something imbalanced. He backed up into the doors, now breathing hard. The doors accidentally swung open upon his pressure, and he fell into the Palace; into the training hall in which Tigress and Monkey were training, only in the far end of the room. He quickly gasped at the sight of his beautiful Tigress, but yet horrified at the being talking to her. Master Shifu.

"...Tai Lung, a confused warrior sheds light in the dark cave in which you walk, decieved in." He over heard Shifu talking. He hid behind a supporting pillar of the palace, now thinking deeply. I'm a light? A hope? That's right... I came to defeat Sky. He breathed hard, as he tried not to blow his cover. The doors in which he came in were now somehow closed. "...killed by the seeker of the Dragon Scroll." Shifu said to Tigress and Monkey, as Tai Lung became confused. The seeker of the dragon scroll.. I'm going to be killed by Sky? Tai Lung grunted. No one can defeat me. No one! Except my own master. No... not even him! I am invincible! I am Tai Lung!

Master Shifu slowly walked out of the room, soon turning back and saying something with a doubtful look. He finally left the training room, while Tigress and Monkey stood there, frozen. Tai Lung made his way back outside.

Looking behind him, he turned around, and shut the doors ever so lightly, without a sound. He slowly turned around to spy on the Jade Palace's training fields, from Sky. There, right in front of him, was a dirty being, looking like he just saw a ghost. Maybe he did, for he thought he killed a certain person. He was Sky.

Gasping, Sky withdrew his sword, and stuck it into Tai Lungs stomach. It went part the way through his belly, before Tai Lung reacted, and started pulling at the sword before it went any further. He staggered his breath, as he went wide-eyed from the pain. Desperately pulling it out, he looked up at Sky, who was frowning. "I thought I killed you! You never go away, do you?" He tried to force the sword back into his stomach, but he wasn't strong enough. Wasn't strong enough! He was surprised by the snow leopard's strength now. Tai Lung was biting his lip, soon tasting blood. More blood dripped from his new deep wound caused by the wolf. He took hold of the sword, as he slowly redirected it to Sky's chest.

Crane, Viper, Mantis, and Po stood in Po's room, playing a little game called truth or dare. Po wanted to bring a little fun to the Jade Palace, just as he tried doing for the full 4 years he was in it, but just now he brought up truth or dare.

Viper hissed. "This is insane! You really want me to-"

"Mmmhmmm!" He nodded, grinning like a child. Mantis was trying to hold in his laughter, but couldn't contain himself, and fell to the ground, laughing like a mad man. Crane wasn't laughing, because he was a bit jealous, all though he was not the kind of bird that would let his emotions take over him, he still let them, because he was not in a battle. Viper had to go to Monkey, and kiss him anywhere on the face, with any kind of kiss.

Crane rolled his eyes. "It was a dare. You must do it, regardless of what you think of it." Viper then got up, and slithered out of the door, giving the panda who gave her the dare a deadly stare.

Tigress threw one more swing at Monkey, hitting him hard in the neck, and making him tumble down onto the ground. He panted, along with Tigress. He looked at Tigress. "That one hurt."

"Sorry Monkey. I feel we're getting no where." She sighed, helping him up. "Lets stop for now... I'm going to go try fighting alone."

Monkey set his wooden sword back in the barrel he first got it out of. "Very well. Don't hurt yourself."

Tigress grinned weakly. "Don't expect that to happen." She went over to get her Jian, which was placed against a wall. She then started to practice furiously.

Master Shifu sat at his table, eating his daily tofu. It was healthy for the body, and the mind. It helped him relax, and stay strong. Holding chopsticks, he slowly chewed the food. The tofu consisted of many hot spices and peppers. Shifu remembered his old friend was a farmer who planted many pepper seeds with much strive to grow them. He was so good at raising them, that he learned how to plant in the winter, without the plants dying! As a gift to Master Shifu four years ago, he gave him buckets of peppers he was saving for a special event like a party. He gave the buckets of hot, juicy peppers right before Tai Lung made his strike.

His mouth started to burn up, as he forgot to get a cup of water. He breathed out all the spiciness that was in his mouth, getting up. He casually made his way to the door, soon opening it up.

Tai Lung held the sword, along with Sky tightly, as each other struggled to kill one another. The leopard was gasping from the pain that was now tugging at his tears. There was a small puddle of blood by his feet, as he moaned from the seeping painthat was gradually getting worse. Sky was staggering his breath, as he tried to point the sword back at TaiLung, but it couldn't happen now - the sword was already half way to himself. It would seem like they're arm wrestling, only with a sword, and their elbows weren't on a flat surface. Tai Lung started to give in, but kept pushing the sword slowly towards Sky. The leopard looked up at Sky, who was now starting to give in also. A quick flash caught the side of his eye, as he quickly diverted his eyes to his left.

PMMM! Master Shifu came diving in... but did not go for Sky, no, he went for Tai Lung! Both red panda and leopard went flying out onto the snowy grounds, punching and dodging. Tai Lung's dark red blood now stained the perfectly white grounds, as he lay on the ground, attempting to dodge Master Shifu's every move. Sky came rushing over to Tai Lung, soon after picking up his dropped Katana.

Tai Lung raised his left hand and hit Master Shifu powerfully on the side of the face, forcing him off, while Sky was trying to stap the leopard. Tai Lung got up, and backed away slightly. "I don't want to fight you, Master." He clenched his fists from the bloody pain in his stomach, caused by the wolf.

"You are not allowed in this town's grounds! Why is it that you come back?" Shifu yelled angrily.

"It is because if him!" Tai Lung pointed at Sky.

"Me? Is that true? How nice of you to say that!" Sky said sarcastically, wiping his bloody sword off on the ground. He then tensedup, and jumped for Tai Lung, as Shifu did the same.

Monkey walked slowly away from Tigress, wiping the sweat from his forehead. Gee, she's determined. But that's Tigress... always trying to be better than she once was a whole second ago... He turned to the hallway where each of the master's rooms were. Upon seeing Viper in his veiw, he stopped, and stepped to the side to let her through. She didn't move. Monkey looked at her for a second, then started walking back to his room to meditate.

"Wait." Viper stopped him with her tail.

"Yes? What is it master Viper?" He asked.

Viper seemed to hesitate for a short moment, then slithered up to him, soon coming up his leg, around his torso, and up on his shoulder. This made him feel weird, for she only did this if she had something bad to say, or if she was drunk.

"What's wrong?" Monkey felt like he just repeated what he asked just a few seconds ago.

Viper sighed, as she stared at him in the eyes. She twitched her eyes to the left really fast, making it look like she wanted him to look where she was looking, behind her. Monkey looked, finding Po, Mantis, and Crane were peeking around the corner at them. "I... want to tell you a secret." She asked him, looking kind of nervous. Monkey pulled in close to her, so that he could hear her secret. Viper then quickly puckered up her lips, and kissed him lightly on the cheek. She pulled away and looked at him with depressed eyes, blushing.

Po and Mantis couldn't contain their laughter. "Bahahahaha! She did it! I didn't think she would do it!"

Monkey was speechless, but managed to spit something out. "Do what? That?"

Viper slithered off of him soon turning around, still blushing crimpson red, frowning. "It was a dare. Don't flatter yourself, it wasn't a real kiss."

Monkey quickly sighed in relief. "Phew... because if you meant it, it would have been bad."

Viper's mouth hung open at his reply. "I'm a bad kisser?"

Monkey quickly changed his form of expression, as he quickly corrected himself. "No! No, that's not what I meant!"

The snake let a frown hit her face once again. "Sure, okay." She slithered off, and away from the laughing masters. Crane followed her.

Walking up the short mountain, Crane flew above Viper. "You know he didn't mean it that way, don't you?"

Viper didn't answer. Usually when she felt mad or depressed, she went up to the Peach Tree of Wisdom, for it always settled her down. Plus, it helped her meditate, and keep everything off of her mind. She looked up at Crane, who was now descending to the ground. She noticed the sky was an awkward shade of red. It's not even close to son down yet... she sighed, slivering faster and faster.

"Viper, wait." Crane touched her tail.

She turned around. "What is it?!" She stopped herself short, from her sudden outbreak at Crane. He seemed shocked, very, very shocked. He wasn't looking at her, though, but beyond her. She turned around, finding the peach tree gone. She gasped, as she made her way there in a flash, along with Crane. "What happened?" She asked furiously. There was a red substance coming from the tree stump. She touched it with her tail, finding it was blood. Blood coming from the tree!

Sky swung his sword powerfully at Tai Lung, as it swatted at the air, making a loud blowing noise. Tai Lung was already meters away, because of Shifu's blow. Getting up, he felt his side, desperate to get away. He was now able to be killed, for Shifu promised that he would kill him if he ever come back. Master Shifu seemed to ignore Sky, for his mind and attention was focused on Tai Lung, and getting rid of him, before any more lives come into jeopardy by the snow leopard. Of course, he knew Tai Lung has changed much over the years, but he can't break oaths.

Shifu picked up a massive staff, and swung it at Tai Lung's stomach, hitting it, and making blood splatter out. It went all over the ground, as Shifu cringed from the spilled blood. Ho showed no mercy, though. As Tai Lung went flying to the ground, Sky came in, and threw his sword at the snow leopard. Tai Lung slowly got up, soon dodging the Katana by inches. It seemed to soar perfectly in the air in slow motion, as he looked at it, flying right in front of his face, before hitting the ground. Tai Lung spun his head to Sky, soon charging for him. He pranced onto Sky, as he stunningly tackled him to the ground without a sweat. While still in the air before the tackle, Tai Lung stood on the wolves chest, and punched his face in, making him fly into the ground.

Tai Lung landed on Sky, taking his fist and started to attempt to punch him in the face, before Master Shifu came in and kicked Tai Lung. The snow leopard went soaring off of the wolf, soon making his way back to the ground. Before his nose hit the ground, Master Shifu sprinted up to him, and kicked his forehead, making him roll into the ground. It made a crater. Sky got up growling, picked up his sword, and made up his mind. He decided to let the old man kill Tai Lung, and he would go inside, to find Tigress.

Viper gasped, backing away from the seeping blood that came from the remnant of the tree. "Someone cut it down!"

"Well, why was it so important, may I ask?" Crane was scarcely anxious.

Viper gave him a confusing look. "It is what kung fu circles around! It gives us wisdom! It gives us the power to talk like I'm talking right now?"

"It... gives us the power to talk properly?"

Viper sighed. "Whoever cut this tree down, obviously didn't know what they were thinking." She looked up at the sky, soon going wide-eyed. "And I think I know what cutting it down caused..." She stared at the sky along with Crane.

"We're in deep trouble.." Crane said, voice steady, yet staggering.

Viper slowly made her way down the hill, leaving Crane alone, to stare at the sky. It seemed blood was everywhere now...

Shifu whacked the snow leopard hard with the dull end of the staff, or more like spear. Tai Lung couldn't dodge it, for there was no way how. On the second time though, he grabbed the staff tightly, and yanked it out of his masters hands. This only made Shifu more angry, as he jumped up to the leopard. In mid air, he spun, bring his right foot out, and hitting Tai Lung in the face once again with his foot. This made Tai Lung fling powerfully across the field, as he dropped the spear like staff. Shifu landed, picking his head up. Getting off the ground, Tai Lung slowly got back into his position, staggering. Mater Shifu picked up the spear, and sprinted over to Tai Lung.

Tai Lung's vision went blurry, as he couldn't stand the pain in his stomach. He stumbled over, giving a perfect spot for Shifu to strike. And kill. Master Shifu squinted, as he bolted over to Tai Lung in seconds. The staff's pointed tip was not five meters away from Tai Lung. Three meters. One meter...

"Nooo!" Viper hissed, hitting the staff out of Shifu's grasp.

It went flying out from his hand, as he stared at her. "What are you doing?! You fool! I could have killed him! I could have restored peace to the valley! I could have-"

Slap! Viper hit Shifu with her tail, making him go unconscious. She panted, as she looked over at Tai Lung, who was now laying in the snow. It was starting to snow red stuff now, as his fur body quickly got covered up by blood red snowflakes. Viper's eyes quivered, as she quickly flashed over to him, picking him up by her tail with a soft grunt. The tree... we need that tree back! It's turning everything into blood! It's making everyone go crazy! Go... not wise! She shook her head at her thought. Weird, she didn't really say such things like that. She usually would use a word she had yet to understand.

Viper slowly dragged Tai Lung along the red ground, as Crane came flying in. "It's snowing blood!"

"I know! Help him with Tai Lung!" Viper replied.

Crane landed. "Help who?"

"Sorry, me, me. Help me carry Tai Lung inside! I'll tell you what happened once we're safe inside!" Viper ordered. Crane nodded, as the helped pick up the snow leopard, while Viper went to get Master Shifu.

This chapter's getting kind of long. I'll make another one so that you can take a little break or... whatever you do between chapters. Please review, and I'll post the next part! But only if you review. :l

-Skyy.