Disclaimer: I don't own any of the character from Kung Fu Panda and all that stuff. I especially DO NOT OWN any characters from ATLUS. Thanatos belongs to them and another persona that appears in this story also belongs to them. I wish I had but no. Then I don't have to work my ass off with assignments and dying. I'd rather be swimming in a pool of money, with Tai Lung, Po and Tigress. I love them.
Thanks to Awerewolf, corset-rebellion-follower, and Lucius for your reviews. You guys are the best. To Awerewolf, I guess sometimes I have to give myself some credit. Most of all, thanks to Luna Goldsun, a great great great person who is willing to Beta this story. I owe you loads. Cookies!!
Chapter 12
The beauty of the forest was lost on him as he ran. The various flora and fauna meant very little in the ongoing chase. Tai Lung was sprinting as quickly as his legs and paws can go. Nobody can out run me…
Except Po…the voice in his mind said.
"Must be this Byakko Vikki was talking about," he said to himself while dodging an incoming bird. The bird squawked and quickly shift to the right before it can collide with Tai Lung.
"Hey, you alive Byakko?"
No response.
"I'm talking to you. Answer me!"
Still, no voice could be heard.
"I must be crazy to talk to myself in this kind of situation."
Tai Lung was finally out of the forest and a beautiful waterfall was revealed. He could not have known, but it was the waterfall Vikki and Leo had camped at, and where Vikki had revealed the true secret of the Dragon Scroll. Suddenly, Tai Lung skidded to a stop when he saw a huge shadow on the ground. He looked up and gasped.
"Aargh!!" the object in the sky roared and landed in front of Tai Lung, shaking the very ground he stood on. It was like an intense earthquake and he nearly lost his balance if he didn't hold on to a nearby tree. The sudden object breathed in slowly and spoke in a gruff voice when the mist was cleared, "You lied, Tai Lung."
"So what if I did? What are you going to do about it, Leo?"
"You don't want to mess with me." Leo stood tall and strong while cracking the knuckles of his huge paws.
"You don't want to mess with me, either," Tai Lung crouched low and ready for battle. Leo raised an eyebrow, "Your leopard style kung fu can outclass my lion style?"
"And why not?"
Leo smirked at the comment, "I've analyzed every other fighting style that there is in the world. The leopard style is cunning; drawing strength from the upper body, the fighter is always crouching low. Even when you are down, the leopard strikes back with force as the opponent are fooled by its craftiness. Overall, it is a fighting style that uses quick agility, low height and strikes with great strength."
Tai Lung was amazed at his explanation, "You've done your homework."
"Apparently, yes. So, what do you know about the lion kung fu style?"
"A lot. I didn't spend my years in the Jade Palace mastering all the scrolls for nothing. The lion style uses extreme force and strength to bring the opponent down. One blow can break your bones. The only disadvantage of that; the lion style is slow. Leopard is faster than the lion, but to make up for the disadvantage, you have a range advantage. Plain and simple: your size. You're big, and able to reach farther than me."
"Bravo, Tai Lung. I'm impressed," Leo softened at first but was quickly back in the game. "But not good enough. Your strength cannot beat me."
"We'll see about that!" Tai Lung made the first move and attacked Leo. Leo dodged it with ease and threw a hard kick, but Tai Lung anticipated that. He twirled in the air and landed a hard punch in the middle of Leo's chest. The mighty lion backed away a few steps and massaged his wound. "Impressive. My turn."
Tai Lung did not have enough time to prepare. Leo was plunging towards him, and the leopard got ready to move away when Leo used an evasive attack. Next thing he knew, Leo had already landed a hard turning kick behind his neck. Tai Lung was dazed for a second but quickly recovered from the assault. Leo made another but this time, Tai Lung was ready. It was like time had slowed down when he saw Leo had delivered a full blast punch towards his stomach. He did a full split and bent his body back to evade the attack. Tai Lung was being as low as he could to reduce gravity and once Leo's attack had passed him, he countered by doing a double thrust kick on his stomach, hard. He threw Leo's mighty body away from his and somersaulted back to his feet with ease.
Leo was thrown a few steps away from the snow leopard and his eyes blazed with rage. "Ungh…the 'true' Dragon Warrior," Leo picked himself up, "but was denied. How pitiful. You could have done more than your share of power."
"Yeah?" Tai Lung spat. "Tell me about it. Devoting my whole life to learn kung fu, only to be denied the one thing I ever wanted. How would you feel? Dejected? Yes, but imprisonment for 20 years? Not worth it, my friend."
"I do not care, I want the scroll!" the lion roared.
"So do I Leo, so do I."
"I'll make things easier again. Give me the scroll," Leo said.
"Or what?" Tai Lung precariously leaned towards a rock near the waterfall.
"Odin….."
"Odin?" Tai Lung asked, confused.
"Odin!" Leo roared and the earth shook violently. Above him, a vague image of a god appeared. Wearing a white cape behind his back and holding a long halberd as sharp as a blade. The image wore a helmet with two horns like a bull and it was sneering at Tai Lung.
"Persona…." Tai Lung said to himself.
"The emperor shall banish you! Go Odin!" Leo commanded and the image charged towards him.
"Holy Crap!" Tai Lung ran quickly and stopped short when a halberd landed in front of him. When the spear landed on the ground, shocks of lightning burst through and he ran the opposite direction; facing Leo. Oh crap! This is just not right! This is wrong…
Leo roared and unleashed a fury of attacks to the confused snow leopard. Tai Lung was too busy concentrating on dodging every attack the enraged lion had delivered that he ignored the other enemy. Odin slammed into Tai Lung's back, sending jolts of lightning into him, and the snow leopard dropped to the ground.
"Ugnh…" he groaned. "this…is…unfair…" the delirious and shocked snow leopard said.
"Hmph….only two enemies, but when faced with 1000 rhinos in the prison, you fought them like they were garbage. What a joke," the bold lion spoke audaciously.
"It….that's different." Tai Lung slowly got up to his knees and finally, on his feet but he couldn't stand for long and dropped again to his knees.
Leo raised a suspicious eyebrow and dismissed his persona within him. The lion sent a sympathetic look to the courageous snow leopard as he struggled back to his feet, and pride. Only courage in the face of doubt can lead one to the answer…
It made Leo wonder…
Maybe it is him. Is that possible? My courage was gone after that incident. I doubt that, when you are alive…you will forget me. I love you, but it's been long since you've been by my side. What is my answer? Is it the scroll? Or maybe, it's a simple gesture of love? What is it! I… he realized suddenly, a weight sinking in his stomach, I can't make a choice.
"Come on, once more," the snow leopard finally found his strength and was ready to fight again.
"Tai Lung, I want to ask one question," Leo said, after a pause.
"Action now, talk later, that's if there is a later…"
"What is your purpose for living?"
Tai Lung stopped to think about the words that were thrown at him. His purpose for living? After everything that he'd been through, the only purpose of living was because of the dragon scroll, but now…what was it?
A friend…a love…to be…fulfilled…his inner voice spoke to him. Yes… that's what it is. I have longed for a friend but I just shoved them away. Po, my friend. He has given everything to me; the scroll, his time, passion, company, helping me to find my balance. Then there's Tigress, I….love her…even if I didn't show it but I…….really do. Her eyes are so beautiful, ever since she came to the Jade Palace 20 years ago.
And Shifu! He accepted me back. What more could I ask for. He loves me as his son, and I forever shall be. Shifu….I'm so sorry for everything I've done…
"Well?" Leo asked again.
Tai Lung finally managed to grasp the meaning of his life. He needed to fill the hole in his heart.
"I live, to care about the ones who also care about me. Po, Tigress, Shifu and the other members of the Furious Five. I live because of them, and there's no other answer, even the Dragon Scroll. I don't need it anymore."
Leo's face was emotionless and he smirked a little, "Good. You've finally found it: your purpose for living and fighting, bravo. Let's have a deal my friend."
"Your deals are bogus. Vikki always turns you down and you don't have authority to do it."
"We'll see about that," he smiled. "I'm the emperor and authority is my name. We'll have a deal. You return back with the true Dragon Scroll in two days, and I'll make Snow disappear. How bout it?"
"You defy Vikki? I thought she was the leader in your clique," Tai Lung replied with sarcasm.
"I can, and I will. She won't disturb you within the two days. I'll make sure of it. Deal?" Leo extended his right arm.
Should I? He thought.
You should…I believe in him…his inner self spoke again.
"It's my decision, not yours," Tai Lung said out loud to himself.
Leo looked at Tai Lung and made a small laugh, "Feisty little fella you got there. Byakko is a great persona to obtain other than Thanatos. It fits you perfectly, Temperance."
"Fine. Deal, but you have to keep your side of the bargain or else…" Tai Lung shook the mighty lion's big paws to seal their agreement.
The Jade Palace was once again filled with shouts of combat as the Five and Po trained, and only Tai Lung was missing in action. Po had explained his 'little white lie' to Master Shifu and somehow, Shifu didn't mind it at all.
"Really? You mean its okay he leaves the palace a few hours to meet someone?" Po asked.
"Of course, he's an adult and can think for himself. Furthermore, I trust him and he can trust me as well," Shifu said and walked past him towards Crane to correct his balance on the jade tortoise.
"Whaddya know?" Po shrugged.
Though everything seemed fine and dandy, Tigress had an uneasy feeling. Viper immediately sensed this uneasiness in her fair-furred friend and quickly dragged her away from her training. Tigress didn't know what Viper's intention was, but she just played along till they had reached a secluded place behind the Jade Palace.
Viper started her interrogation on her, "Tigress what's wrong? You've been acting like this for the past few days and I'm getting worried. This is not like you. Just the other day, Crane managed to make you off balance on the jade tortoise. You don't lose balance, not ever."
"Something's on my mind. That's all," Tigress said in a hushed tone.
"Is it….a guy?"
"No," Tigress quickly shot in, "I'm worried about something."
"Ah ha….I see. I think I know." Viper used the tip of her body and rubbed her chin. "Girl, you're in love."
"No I'm not," she insisted.
"Yes, you are, and you're denying it. It's Tai Lung, I know it." Viper's words struck a bulls-eye, and Tigress was speechless.
"Right on the target," Viper smiled cheekily. "Tigress, I've known you since the day I came in here. I know you inside out, and you're in love, Tigress."
"I am?" Tigress blushed. She blushed! Oh my, she thought.
"You're blushing Tigress," Viper giggled. "Do you care for him?"
"Um…yes…."
"No um, ah, eh or stalling," Viper commanded and Tigress stood straight up to attention.
"Do you care for him?"
"Yes."
Do you like him?"
"Y-Yes."
"Do you worry about what's he doing?"
"Yes."
"Do you want him?"
"Ah….."
Viper imitated a gruff voice and sternly spoke, "Do. You. Want. Him?"
"Okay, yes I do!" Tigress shook her female friend. "That day, in the moonlight, it was so romantic. I saw his masculine eyes for the first time and it was heaven. I felt so safe in his arms when I cried on his chest. He's so strong and brave and…and…."
"Tigress!" Viper gasped and squealed like a little school girl, "When did that happen?"
"Two days ago, during the night..." Tigress closed her mouth and had a second thought. Oh no…That's confidential. I can't tell what really happened; she'll ask a million questions. Then something clicked on to her brain. White lie! Yeah, a burglar or an intruder…
"That day, a rogue intruder caught me off guard and he attacked me," Tigress said sadly.
"Oh my, you poor girl," and Viper coiled around her friend to hug her. "No wonder I saw scratch marks on your arm. I thought it was training."
"Yeah, then Tai Lung came about that time and he saved me. Almost like an angel…My hero," Tigress giggled.
"Ohh…you have got to give me details!" Viper screamed with delight.
Po, Monkey, Mantis and Crane were having a 'guys only' talk in the kitchen while enjoying their little snack before dinner. They didn't care it would ruin their appetites, nor did they care that making a habit of this would make them like Po. Po was cooking, and besides, the guys knew self-control.
Everything was joyful and full of laughter when Mantis and Monkey made funny jokes. It all stopped when Viper slithered in slowly.
"Viper," Crane grumbled. "You know this is guys only."
"Yeah, I know, but I've got a plan and I need your help."
The males looked at each other and made a confused look, "Er…why do you need us?" Monkey asked.
"I want to play cupid." Viper smiled.
"Cupid?" the four males chimed in.
"Yeah. Here are the details." Viper poured out everything she knew about Tai Lung and Tigress. When she had reached the part in the moonlight, Po nearly fainted. She told her?! Well, at least she sugar coated it a little. If not, it's gonna be darn bitter.
Once she had finished explaining, Monkey was the first to speak, "This could be interesting."
"So you guys will help?" asked Viper excitedly.
"Yeah," Crane said. "It'll be good for Tai Lung. I mean, we haven't been too hostile with him lately and seeing the circumstances, I think it's good."
"I totally agree," Mantis jumped onto Monkey's shoulder.
"Since we are all in agreement, let's make this date a memorable one for both of them!" They gathered round and discussed their clever concoction of a plan. The guys didn't much believe it would work. But, Viper had a way of making things work in her favor, no matter what.
Tai Lung was already on his way back to the Jade Palace and he quickly sped up when he saw sunset approaching.
I've got to be back by night before I get Po into loads of trouble.
The agile snow leopard weaved through the top of the roof with quick reflexes while dodging every hole in between the houses. He finally reached the bottom of the Jade Palace when he heard a familiar voice.
"Hey dad, it's the special, remember, not the usual 'Special ingredient'"
Po? What's he doing out in this hour? Shouldn't he be in training?
He saw Po running out of his dad's noodle shop and headed back towards the Palace.
I sense something's wrong. It's very odd. Unless…Leo broke his promise.
The snow leopard growled with anger and quickened his pace.
--
Until here readers. Flames? Suggestions? R & R maybe? I'm kinda short of them but no matter. I have added an image of Odin in my profile and it's not my property k. It's like Thanatos, I don't own them. Just click on the URL in my profile to see it.
Luna Goldsun: Once again, thank you so much for taking your time to beta this. I feel so honoured that you did this. I truly am.
Corset-rebellion-follower: Sorry that I didn't take up your suggestion. It's not cheesy and I like it but I wanted something else to go along the road. So only half of it I can give you.
Lucius: Sorry man, not this chapter that Tai's persona comes out. In later chapters, you won't be disappointed. I hope.
Awerewolf: I guess I just need to trust my brain and the words that I put in here. Sometimes, I just can't believe I'm writing this kind of story myself. It's like a façade for me.
