Chapter 12

Gongmen Prison…

"How is this possible?" Po demanded eyeing Shen.

"It is a rather remarkable feat wouldn't you say," the white peacock said in mocking tone gesturing toward his metallic face and arm "I brought a number of healers before me, none of which were successful undoing the damage to my body. And then my wolves found a lizard who knew a little bit of the black arts, and though she could not fully restore me to my true form she was able to use her magic to fuse scraps of metal to my deformed body. I know it's a bit much, but believe me I used to be a lot worse," he paused once more his false eye glowing brightly "though then again you would know that all too well seeing how you were the one who left me that way."

"Then who…" Po stammered pointing toward the steps, "was that…I mean,"

"Oh you mean the other Shen," Shen said in a pleasing tone, though his plasterer beak made it impossible to show. "He's very convincing isn't he? Not even my own wolves know he's an imposter. I found him wasting away in the back alleys, drinking himself to death. It took me some time, but I managed to mold him into a perfect reflection of my former self," he paused and brought his hands together in a cheerful demure and turned to face Po, "so what do you think?"

"What do I think?" Po said gripping the bars with his good arm. "I think you're freaking insane! You've burned my village to the ground, murdered my mother in cold blood and chased us half way across China, and for what. What could you have possibly gain from killing every single panda in the world? Why did you have to destroy the Valley of Mist? What on earth did we ever do to warrant your wrath? Tell me you damn monster!"

Shen's good eye narrow and suddenly spun about, bringing his right foot out from the folds of his robe and slammed it against the stone wall in front of Po. The sudden strike released a large explosion of dark purple energy and Po nearly had enough time to jump to the side before the section Shen struck went flying past him. As the dust settle from the peacock's attack, Po was further stun when Shen appeared before him, gripped the folds of his neck with his metal hand and easily lifted him off the ground.

"Amazing isn't it. The same black arts that bonded the metal to my body also increased my strength far beyond my possible imagination. Now if there is a monster here, it is because of your doing!" Shen shouted and then tossed Po across the room where he crashed against the far wall. "Now you wish to know why I sought to end you're species insignificant existence. I killed your kin solely to ensure my own survival, and when I returned home instead of receiving the praise that was rightfully mine, they cast me out, me, their own son. I was left with nothing…expect my hatred. For my family and the world who shunned me," Shen paused for a moment to regain his calm demure bringing his hands into the folds of his sleeves. "You're actions that night may have sent me back several months but it did help me open my eyes to my true goal, one that will make the legend of the phoenix pale in comparison," he paused as he made his way toward the steps leading to the exit, though before he opened the door, the peacock glanced over his shoulder, his red jewel eye burning the panda with its glare, "but if it will bring you a measure of peace before your final moment, know that it was not I who destroyed the Valley of Mist."

Po groaned as he sat up eyeing the peacock. "What?"

"Yes, it took me months to heal and master my new form; you and kin had become nothing more than footnote in the dark recess of my mind."

Po's thoughts began to roll back to the point he came upon the remains of his home. If Shen didn't destroy my home, then who did?

The Jade Palace

Tigress's POV

Tigress paced back and forth across the court yard of the Jade Palace. Her mood had not changed one bit in the past week. Tai Lung had disappeared shortly after Stonewall's forces had left—most like to brag to his wife and daughter about being named the Dragon Warrior. Shifu had left as well to face the Emperor, though she could possible careless, all she knew was that Po was somewhere out there and she was trapped protecting the valley. Once word had risen up that Po had been taken away, crime was on the rise. She and the other members of the Five were able to handle matters but she no longer had the heart for it. To her, protecting the valley had become another chore. Her smile had faded and eyes appeared dull. She rarely spoke other than to give out orders and attack plans, and since Po was their cook, she had gone back to eating tofu. She never realized how tasteless it was. With each night she slump toward her room only to stop and stare at Po's closed door, after the first night her mind could not fathom what was going on and without thinking rushed inside to give her panda a hug, only to find it completely empty. The sight was too much for her and broke down, falling to her knees crying.

She missed Po with all her heart, and it was killing her that he was not by her side. She finally began to understand what Po felt whenever he held his mother's pack.

Another week had passed by and Tigress stood before the gate leading to the docks. She stood with her arms crossed, lips firmly set in a stern expression and her eyes darting over to the right. Shifu had return some time last night and judging by his gloomy appearance he was not in better moods.

"I have spoken with the Emperor," Shifu said addressing the others, "however; he will not send his forces into Gongmen City to recues Po."

"What?" Crane snapped thrusting his arms out.

"Yeah," Mantis said in an angry tone, "doesn't this guy know we're talking about the Dragon Warrior?"

"I'm sorry my friends, but the Emperor is not willing to risk the lives of his men for one man, even if that one man is the Dragon Warrior."

"And what about Shen?" Viper asked. "Surely his actions warrant we do something about him."

Shifu's expression worsened at that point as he took a deep breath. "I'm afraid not. The Kung Fu Masters received a letter stating that if we attempt to do anything against him, he will destroy another village. Until we find a means of getting around this weapon of his, Shen is untouchable."

Tigress took it all in, a growl slipping through her lips, though other than that she said nothing. She felt nothing. In a swift act, she swung her arm about intent on smacking the wooden gate.

"Easy there sister."

Tigress glanced over her shoulder to see Tai Lung standing behind her. "Where have you been?"

"With Mea."

"For two whole weeks? Damn it Tai Lung we could have used you. Next to Po you're one of the strongest warriors in the valley."

"I know that, but there was something important I had to deal with."

"More important than ensuring the village's safety?"

Both Tigress and Tai Lung turned to face their Grandmaster, and in most ways their father. "Tai Lung, you are the Dragon Warrior, and it your duty to protect—"

"No I'm not the Dragon Warrior," Tai Lung snapped cutting Shifu off. "I mean I want to be the Dragon Warrior, but not like this. Po earned that right from Oogway, and I intend to make sure he's still around to keep it."

"What are you talking about," Tigress muttered, eyeing the snow leopard as though he'd gone crazy.

Tai Lung turned around and pointed down the path down the mountain. "That."

Tigress followed the path of her brother's finger until she came upon a large ship crewed by a number of rats and weasels. She then turned back to Tai Lung noticing the smile on his face. "They've worked with Mea from time to time shipping her clothes across sea," he said then turned to face Shifu, "now the Emperor has said he won't send his army to deal with Shen, but that doesn't mean we can't."

A genuine smile crept across Tigress's face. It felt strange and wonderful to smile again and without warning she wrapped her arms around Tai Lung and spun him about. "Oh Tai I could just kiss you."

"Easy there Sis," Tai Lung said in a cheerful tone.

"I hate to bring a bitter truth to this moment of joy," Shifu said coming stand before his adoptive children. "But the Masters Council has order that we do nothing to provoke—"

"I don't care what the council's orders are," Tai Lung snapped cutting his father off. "Po has fought hard to protect this valley and now I say we do the same for him."

"If you had allowed me to finish, I was going to say that this be just a simple in and out mission," Shifu said with a sly smile on his face, "and if you can somehow find the means of defeating Shen's weapon that would very helpful in getting the support of the council and most importantly the Emperor."

"Well then," Monkey said thrusting his right arm above him, "what are we waiting for, let's go get our panda."

The five and Tai Lung ran down the steps, their faces held a stern look of determination. Hold Po, Tigress thought, the smile she formed growing wider with each step she took, I'm coming.

Back in Gongmen prison…

Po's POV

Po sat in another ceil across from the one Shen had destroyed. He still could not believe the level of strength held within the small peacock. But he wasn't a peacock, neither was he Shen, whatever it was that left him to rot in this place was nothing more than a common monster, and he shuddered at the truth that he was the cause of it. If he had just listen to his father than he would not be in this mess, then again it was just as likely he could have suffered whatever horrible fate befell his family in the Valley of Mist and never become the Dragon Warrior so for better or worse he had come to accept his fate, but his heart still ached at the realization that his family was still gone and there was nothing he could do about it.

The creaking sound of the doors opening drew his attention and turned to see a group of wolves rush in. As stood before the door they immediately held the points of their spears toward the panda each one looked nerves, yet Po could not bring himself to care.

"What do you dogs want?"

The lead armored wolf flung the door open and tossed a set of chains to Po's feet. "Put those on, Lord Shen has something he wants you to see."

"You know he's not the real Shen right," Po muttered his gaze unable to meet the wolf's, "he's nothing but a puppet, just like the rest of you."

A whimpering sound caused Po to look back up and was shocked to see the wolf boss hold a elder goat against his thigh with a dagger pressed firmly along his throat. "I don't really give a damn about what you say, only that Shen wants you to come with me, so you can either put those chains on…and keep them on this time, or this goat will go off to join the land of the dead, we can then start over this time with someone much younger. So what's it to be?"

Po's eyes narrow, growl slipped through his lips. Slowly he stood, his form towering over the wolf, but he said nothing as he picked the chains up and clipped the cuffs over his wrist. "I swear to you, before this is over I am going to make sure you die screaming."

The wolf boss snigger as he'd eye Po. "Nah, I don't think so." Then suddenly, he swung his hand across the goat's neck slicing a thin open along the flesh.

Po's eyes opened wide and tried to reach out for the goat, yet the spear totting wolves blocked his way. With his arms and legs held firmly in the chains his range of motion was limited. Tears began to flow as he stood there and watch as the poor creature slumped along the ground clutching his throat.

"If anyone's going to die screaming," the wolf said licking the blood from the blade. "It's going to be you, though only after Shen is doing having his fun with you. Now then, let's get going. Don't want to keep the peacock waiting."