Shifu had tore through the scrolls during the night, looking for an answer. The way he saw it, there was no way he could sleep. He could feel the balance of the universe. After Shen had been defeated he felt the harmony return to the Mortal Realm, but the longer this Kai remained free and alive, the more the balance tipped in favor of the darkness. Oogway had once told him that "people thrived in the dark, if only to see the light." Shifu wasn't sure if he believed that, the darkness was making him anxious. It was making him tired.
Finally he pulled out a jade scroll. Shifu had never seen that scroll before, but could tell the case was designed by Oogway himself. Whatever this scroll was, it was important. He jumped off the ladder he had positioned himself on and darted over to the table. He quickly took the scroll out of the casing and spread it out across the table. He eyes scanned it briefly, taking in the illustrations of a turtle and yak. At first they seemed calm, friendly, but things ended up with them fighting. He turned his head back to the start of the scroll and started to read aloud, "If you are reading this then a great evil has arisen. Kai has returned to the mortal realm . . ."
Kai could feel it. That powerful, delectable chi just waiting for him. His fingers trembled just thinking about the power he could gain by absorbing that fighter like he did the warriors of the Spirit Realm. He was sure that this person had chi even stronger than Oogway's. That is what got him excited the most. If Oogway have boosted his power this much, he dare not dream of how strong he could become. Of course, it also meant he would have a hard time taking it at the moment. He had to get stronger, which meant stealing more chi.
Kai could move pretty fast, even faster when he used his chi to power himself. His speed, strength, agility, it was all increased when he put his mind to it. It only took a matter of time to get to the city. Kai was genuinely surprised, he had never seen infrastructure so built up. Not that he cared. Just remembered Oogway talking about it once. A spare dream.
Kai snarled and took a jade sword off his belt. He chucked it into the closest building he could find and tore the sword through the wall, pulling on the chain. Oogway would have loved this place and he was going to destroy it.
Soon enough he could hear screams of the populace. A small smile broke onto his face at the terror. Oh, how it reminded him of the good old days. Before he was betrayed.
Oogway slammed his shoulder into his stomach. Both fighters had hatred burning in their eyes. Traitor. Ravager. Murderer. Kai remembered every second of the fight that sealed their fate. From that second on they were enemies. Gone were the days where they would fight side by side in the line of combat. Gone were the days where Kai would put his body in harm's way just to protect the turtle. Gone were the days where they were worried for each other's health and sickness. He slammed his elbow into Oogway's shell, cracking it. The turtle slammed into the ground and quickly kicked Kai's legs out from under him. Oogway jumped forward, scampering to grab the spearhead on the ground. Hatred flowed through his veins. He had a long time to rot on his thoughts of Oogway. He would show his old friend that everything he had accomplished could be erased, just as Oogway had erased Kai from existence.
Kai turned around as four of Tibetan Antelopes surrounded him. "Oh? A welcoming party?"
One of the guards stepped forward, "You are under arrest. Stand down!"
Kai laughed, "Really now? Just you?" He looked them over, "Four of you. Hmm . . ." His eyes briefly glowed green, "Ah. Your chi is so weak, not even a challenge." Kai took a deep breath, "Very well, you are just the appetizer, anyway."
One of the guards yelled and ran forward, swinging a spear at Kai. Kai grabbed the spear and punched the Antelope in the face. There was a sickening crack as his head flung to side, twisting around, and the guard fell to the ground. Two guards charged in this time, snarling. Kai rolled his eyes and grabbed both of their spears. "You should have ran away." He ripped the spears from their grips, turned them around, and shoved them back in the directions they came. Kai let go of the spears and the guards fell to the ground.
Kai turned to the final guard, "So, what will it be? Run like a coward or die with bravery? Either way, I'm going to get what I came here for." The guard ran towards him, swinging at him madly with a sword. Kai dodged the first few strikes before backhanding him. The Antelope was sent flying into the ground, skidding for a few seconds. Kai walked over to him and grasped his throat, lifting him into the air. "Not very smart, are you?"
"YAK!"
Kai snapped his head to the side, to warriors were starting back at him. There was an Ox, definitely more imposing than the soldiers he had been facing. And a Crocodile, a reptile. Kai's though drifted to Oogway and he felt his hate boil. That Crocodile was going to suffer.
The guard in Kai's grip stretched his arm out towards the two warriors, "Masters, please!"
Master Croc pulled his sword off his back, "Don't worry, we'll get you out of there!"
Master Ox spoke again, "Release him, now!"
Kai turned his body fully towards them, smirking. "As you wish." He crushed the Antelope's neck causing Ox to tense up and Croc to snarl and hiss. He tossed the body in front of the Masters. The body rolled and stopped at their feet. The head finally fell to the side, eyes lifeless.
They both spoke simultaneously, "You're going to regret that."
Kai laughed, "Make me!"
Crane walked out of the kitchen after eating some leftover rice from the meal previously. He turned his head back down to the bedrooms, feeling an overwhelming sense of loneliness. From now on they would have two less members among their ranks. Possibly more if Kai came for them and overpowered them. He felt a lump forming in his throat and he walked into the hall and past his room. He stopped right outside of Po's room.
Was Shifu right? Were Po and Tigress never returning. He pushed open Po's door and walked inside. The room was slightly messy, just as Po had left it. It was hard to not think of everything he did wrong. How he wronged Po. He remembered how long it took him to finally accept Po as part of their team.
It had been months since the defeat of Tai Lung before Crane finally accepted the notion. At the moment it had astonished the avian warrior at how carefree the panda was at the situation. It made him feel guilty. Almost like he had shamed the panda and he just brushed it off. Viper, Monkey, and Mantis had all accepted Po prior to him. It had made him sick that he of all people took so long to accept a new friend.
He turned around, looking at Tigress's door. While Po was a really good friend, Tigress was a bit more than that. She was like a sister to him. When he had first arrived he was the first to notice how eager the tiger was to prove to Shifu that she had worth. Tigress was the protector of the group, she had looked out for everyone and now . . .
Those wolves had killed them, slaughtered them. Crane could envision their battered corpses. He could see the blood staining the dirt. He could see Tigress positioning herself between the wolves and Po. He could see them arguing over who had to run. So . . . neither of them would.
He squeezed his eyes shut to keep anymore thoughts from striking into his mind. Not that it would help. He groaned, he needed to find someone to talk to.
Kai slid backwards. He was genuinely surprised that the two had managed to push him back this far. And to be honest, he was having a bit of fun. He came to a stop and caught Ox's fist. He took the tail slap from Croc and punched Ox in the stomach. He let go of his fist and back slapped Croc into the ground. Ox recovered and moved in towards Kai, rapidly punching him in the chest and stomach. Kai threw a punch at him, but Ox jumped into the air and did a swing kick at his head. Kai ducked, allowing the kick to connect with his horns. He grabbed Ox's leg and slammed him into the ground. The impact fractured the ground.
Croc grabbed him from behind and started pulling him backwards. Ox jumped to his feet and charged Kai horns first. Kai grabbed him by the horns. He was actually struggling, he couldn't quite believe it. He threw the Ox to the side and reached behind him to grab Ox by the snout. He pulled him in front of him and Ox slammed into his side. He stopped the crocodile and backed away from the two.
Ox handed Croc his sword, "Maybe you shouldn't lose that."
"Thanks." He was silent for a moment, "Should we try it?"
Ox narrowed his eyes at Kai, "Are you sure, you do realize the amount of emotional strain you could get?"
"He's killed good people, he doesn't deserve mercy."
Ox nodded and charged Kai, but before he reached the yak he jumped into the air, leaping over Kai. Before Kai could turn around to face him Master Croc stormed forward, sword raised high. Kai snapped his head towards the Crocodile, "That won't work on me!"
Ox grabbed both of Kai's arms and pulled them behind his back. "Croc, do it now! I can't hold him for long!"
Kai's eyes widened, "What?!" His mind raced as master got closer. He couldn't block or dodge, what could he do?!
Croc swung forward as there was a flash of jade light, but his attack clashed with jade instead of flesh. Croc's eyes widened as a Jaded Oogway stood in front of Kai, taking the blow. He backed up and whispered, "Master Oogway?" He shared a quick glance with Ox.
In the momentary distraction Kia acted. He slammed his elbows back into Ox's chest, causing him to release his grip. Kai reached back and grabbed him by the horns and flung him over his head. Ox twisted in midair to land on his feet right next to Croc.
Kai grit his teeth as Oogway's jaded form turned to chi and he grabbed the pendant from midair. "You made me use him." I've been careless. He attached the pendant to the string around his neck and started to stalk forward. "I've been taking it easy on you, but no more." All the pendants around his belt briefly glowed, flashing a bright jade, and he dashed forward, easily passing the two warriors, a streak of jade light trailing behind him. He slammed his elbows into the back of their necks.
Ox flipped around and slammed his hooves into the ground. He launched at Kai, swing his fist. Kai caught the fist and grabbed Ox's shoulder. His eyes glowed and he pulled on the arm. The master's eyes bulged out of his head. He could feel the muscles tearing and the skin peeling apart.
Ox's scream caused Croc to jolt to his feet, ramming his shoulder into Kai's hip, knocking him off balance and releasing Ox's arm. Croc and Ox peeled back. Ox was breathing heavily, "I . . . can't move it. My arm . . . it's useless."
"We need to go. Contact the Jade Palace. Something! We aren't doing anything here except dying!" Croc gripped his sword tighter, "We need to survive."
Ox shook his head, "And leave him to destroy the city? No. We stay here and fight!"
"Not that I'd let you run, anyway." Kai raised a hoof, letting it coat in jade energy. He bent down and placed it on the ground. The chi from his arm pulsated and shook the ground beneath their feet. A shock wave emitted from Kai, rupturing the ground and flinging Croc and Ox into the air. Kai stood to his feet as the ground around him flung into the air in chunks. He unhooked a blade from his belt and started to swing it by its chain in circular motions. His eyes locked onto their target and he threw his sword.
Ox felt a chain wrap around his good arm and he was yanked towards Kai. The yak grabbed Ox by the neck and slammed him into the ground, creating a new shockwave. This shockwave sent large cracks through the ground. The cracks split and traveled up the sides of buildings, shattering walls and hope alike.
Ox tried to push himself up, but was no longer able to stand. "W— who are you? How are you this strong?" He could barely keep his eyes open, but Kai could see the fear.
Kai picked him up by the horns and used his free hand to emit a sickly green glow. "My name is Kai, not that it matters to you anymore. As for my strength, you're about to find out." Ox's eyes widened as his throat started to turn to jade. He opened his mouth to scream, but he couldn't make any sounds as the jade crept up to his mouth and started to spread throughout his body.
Croc pushed a few rock off of him and stood to his feet. He turned to the other warriors. His jaw dropped as Kai finished the integration process and several jade rings shot up his arm. Kai sighed, "Not as strong as I would have liked. A little mediocre, if I do say so myself."
Croc grit his teeth and clenched his fists, "That was my best friend."
Kai chuckled, "You going to do something about it? Or are you going to run away?" He placed his hands on his hips and looked off to the side, "Not that I'll let you."
Croc narrowed his eyes, "No. No more running." I've been weak. Every Time I've seen something we couldn't handle, I've ran and hid. I hid from Shen and lost Rhino. I wanted to run from this Kai and lost Ox. Am I really worthy of being Gongmen's protector? "No more."
"Oh?"
"I am sick and tired of being held back by my own fear! This . . . is for the friends I have lost to maniacs like you!" He gripped his sword in both hands and charged Kai.
Kai wanted to laugh, why were people so stupid? this crocodile had just seen him wipe his friend from existence, take his chi and integrated into his own being. He should know he had no chance of victory, but he still charged Kai blindly, it was stupid. Croc so long as blade at the tyrant, missing as Kai dodged just enough to where he could strike back. Croc wrapped his tail around Kai's leg, surprising the yak.
"What?" Croc dug his blade into the back of Kai's thigh, before rolling underneath him, slamming his tail into his shin, causing Kai to fall to one knee. The Master slashed open Kai's stomach. His stomach emitted a green light instead of blood. Crock jumped onto his chest and slashed his neck. Kai choked. He raised his sword above his head and slammed it downwards into Kai's head. Going from to tip of his skull down through his jaw.
Croc jumped back, leaving the sword imbedded into Kai's skull. He instantly fell to his knees as Kai's body fell limp to the ground. The impact was so heavy that it launched dust into the air. "Coward. Coward. Coward." You lost your friends because of your own fear. "I promise, Ox, Rhino, my old friends, I will not let fear rule me any longer." He turned his head to look at Kai. "I won't let those like him win."
Kai's arms twitched and Croc stiffened. Kai pulled his arms back and placed his hooves on the ground, pushing himself off the ground. His arms were trembling and he breathed out a jade mist. "Y'know, I was a bit worried." He stood to his full height and turned to Croc. His wounds were stitching back up. Croc could see Kai's skin stretching across his wounds. He reached up and gripped Croc's sword, pulling it out of his skull. He shook his head, "I wasn't sure if I had retained my immortality from the Spirit Realm." He laughed, "Seems I have and now nothing will stand in my way. I have you to thank for this revelation. Without your willingness to be so brutal I would have never rediscovered my invulnerability."
Croc bowed his head in shame and shut his eyes. Kai could see him trembling. "What was that you just said? Not allowing fear to dictate you? Did you lie to your dead friends?" He grabbed him by the side of the head. "Fear not, I will reunite you." Croc made no move to stop Kai as he was turned to Jade.
Kai placed the pendant on his belt, but something caught his eyes. There was another pendant glowing. He plucked it off his waist and held it up for him to see. It's glowing stopped. It was the peacock's pennant and it had repaired itself. Kai narrowed his eyes at it, "Strange." He put it back on his belt and turned to look outside the city. That strong chi was inviting him. He needed it and now he was ready.
"Oogway's students, here I come."
