Chapter 20: Sacrifice and Rage

Dai's first instinct was to run. Then, she remembered what Kai was there for and what he could do. Attacking him head-on would be a mistake. If she wanted to save Po, she would have to take his place in the plan.

"I'm not here for you, little wolf," said Kai. "Run along."

Dai growled and walked away on all fours. He is so going down, thought Dai.

Kai released his "jombies" and the plan went underway. There were pandas tossing firecrackers, flying through the air, and just doing what they knew to distract the jade creatures. Even Tigress felt well enough to do her part. Dai watched Kai from afar, her ears and tail twitching in anticipation. All it would take was one moment and it could be over.

Kai was certainly distracted, but was it really enough? Dai ran down closer only to see Po had beaten her to Kai. The undead warrior had some advantage over Po, but as the fog cleared, Po had Kai's finger in a Wuxi Finger Hold. Po tried to send Kai back to the Spirit Realm with this move, but it didn't work. It only worked on mortals, Kai had taunted. He then called back his jade minions and grew a foot due to sheer power. With the extra strength he had acquired from his stolen chi, he sent Po flying back into the village.

Dai ran to Po and gasped. He looked pretty badly hurt. Dai smelled and heard Kai coming. When Kai came close to where everyone could see him, Po cried out, "Go! Run!"

Kai laughed, "Foolish mortal, thinking you could send me back to the Spirit Realm."

"Leave him alone!" said Dai, launching at him with her teeth bared. She clamped her teeth on Kai's neck, but, since he was already dead, he wasn't really affected by the move.

"What are you doing?! Get off!" exclaimed Kai. He grabbed her and yanked her off of him. Dai yelped from having some of her teeth yanked out. Kai flung her so far, her body skipped across the ground and fell over the cliff.

Po gasped, but then, he figured out a way he could send Kai back to the Spirit Realm. He jumped onto Kai and got him in a head lock except his fingers met in a Wuxi Finger Hold. "I may not be able to send you back to the Spirit Realm, but I can take you with me!" said Po. Then, with a "Skadoosh," there was a flash of light and peach petals appeared and fell to the ground. The petals formed a Yin Yang symbol and glowed. Dai, meanwhile, lay on the ice, unmoving.

Po and Kai appeared in the Spirit Realm and continued their fight there. Po almost lost his chi, but his dads, Tigress, and the other pandas from the village found a way to help him with their own chi. Po was able to use his chi in a bodaciously awesome way to defeat Kai. When he was defeated, all of the chi Kai had absorbed was released and returned to their proper places. The rest of the Furious Five, Shifu, and other kung fu masters that hadn't died reverted back to their live states. Po, however, was still dead. Thankfully, Oogway was able to give Po an idea on how to return to the mortal realm and a really cool staff of enlightenment.

When Po returned to the Mortal Realm, everyone was overjoyed and celebrated his return. Po noticed someone missing from this gathering though. "Dai," Po remembered. He rushed over the cliff, landed epically, and found Dai surrounded by her pack. Her father stood tall and looked at Po sternly.

"My son insisted you be let go. He thought you would make her happy, keep her safe. I sent Qiang to watch you. When he sent word of what happened, we came at once," said Dai's father, Lang.

"How did you all get here so fast?" asked Po.

"No wolf travels alone," said Ling, Dai's brother. "We followed at a distance."

"If you let me close to her, I can help," said Po.

Lang stood in the way and stomped his staff on the ground authoritatively. "You have done enough, panda," he said.

"Po?" asked Dai weakly.

Po tried to approach, but Lang growled and other wolves in the pack started surrounding him. Po groaned, frustrated. "I don't wanna fight you. You're Dai's family. If you stand in my way when I'm trying to help her, then I'll move you," he said.

"We're not afraid of you, Dragon Warrior," said Lang.

"Baba, let Po help me, please," pleaded Dai.

"That is not our way. That is not their way. Wolves help wolves; no one else will ever do for you what we can," said Lang. "We're family."

"Any father that would let his daughter die in the snow I want no part of. Now, let Po past," said Dai.

"You are in no condition-" Lang started, but got cut off with a yelp when Dai scratched his leg. "If this is what you choose, look to see us no more," he said, trying to sound unaffected.

"Fine by me," said Dai tiredly. Everyone in Dai's pack who had heard it walked away, the others following soon after.

Lang and Ling gave one last look in Dai's direction before mournfully turning away. Po watched them leave. Dai's body shook, though whether it was more due to the cold or suppressing her tears, she wasn't sure. When her pack left, Po knelt by her side and gave her some of his chi. She felt rejuvenated, as if she had skipped weeks of healing. She still didn't feel like getting up yet, but she was certain Po would help her.

Po carefully picked her up bridal style and stepped gently as he carried her up the steps back into the village. The pandas and the kung fu masters gathered around Po. Li Shan made it to the front of the crowd. "Daiyu, you risked your life to protect my son. It would be my honor to welcome you into our village," he said. He then bowed, followed by the others in the crowd.

"That works for me. Besides, if you kicked me out, I'm sure I would have just found a way back in again," said Dai. Some in the crowd responded with gentle laughter.

"All right, hero, let's get you in bed. Maybe after some rest, you can show me some of that wolf style," said Po.

"Aw, Po, don't make me laugh. You're the hero. Maybe it is I who should be learning some things from you," said Dai.

"We'll train each other," he compromised. "You'll never be without an ally again, I promise." Po was certain in his mind when he made the promise. Only time would tell.

Wow. Four years to write 20 chapters. Woops :P Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Sorry about the late update. I shall strive to stick to the schedule better from now on. I have some ideas where I want the story to go from here, but what would you all like to see? Let me know if you have any ideas in the reviews. Until next time, please keep reading and reviewing, thanks ;)