Deep within the cave nestled in the most ancient reaches of the Himalayas something stirred the rocks and ice around the entire region. The throne room made of stone began to warm from the still waking lizard's breath despite the hundred years of cold and snow. His cold blood now boiled as his heavy body began to move under the years of sediment.

"Seems the time for me to rejoin the world has come." The warlord's gruff voice echoed through the caverns of his royal chamber.

The towering creature lifted himself of his seat and listened as his bones cracked form years of sitting in the same position. He twisted his neck in a circle and slowly made his way down the throne's steps to awaken the rest of his reptile army.

--

"Drakon Long!" Po exclaimed as he began to prance around the peach tree in fear.

Shifu rolled his eyes at his behavior and took to paces forward, stuck his leg out and tripped the giant panda whose fall shook the foundation of the mountain.

"Pardon master, but who is the Long you speak of?" It was Viper voice that interrupted Po's whimpering.

"Who's Drakon Long? You mean you all don't know?" Po shot back to his feet and got right in the snake's face.

"Are you serious? He's just the meanest reptile the Valley of Peace has ever known, right master?" Po looked back to Shifu whose grave face had hardly changed.

With a sigh He merely motioned for his students to follow him as he led them back to the palace. The walk was quieter than expected, no talk about past events just the soft sounds of their feet on the grass and then stone. It wasn't until they reached the inner sanctum and stood before the reflection pool below where the once sacred dragon scroll rested.

"Long's family and origins were a mystery to all, with the exception of one." To this he paused and lifted his eyes to the memoriam banner of Oogway that hung on the far wall.

"You mean to tell me that Oogway knew this chump hundreds of years ago?" Po interrupted to the displeasure of the rest of the five.

"SHHHHHHHHHHH!" The sound intended to silence him rang though his ears as the panda realized that it came from Mantis, who was perched on his shoulder.

"Dude, you don't have to be IN my ear for me to hear you!!" Shifu merely rolled his eyes at the exchange and continued his story.

"Yes, for you see Chinese Tortoises live an exceptionally long time. In fact, I hadn't met the grand master until he was already well past a hundred and fifty." A slight smirk formed on his face as he watched his students eyes turn into to dish plates.



"A little more than a century ago, Drakon Long came to live beside Oogway as both an adopted brother a rival. Their friendship banded them together through thick and thin, they shared everything. The only think that separated them was Long's drive to be the best as quickly as possible while Oogway was as patient as they come. It wasn't until Oogway discovered the art of Kung Fu that the two began to separate. Many say Drakon became jealous of Oogway's talents and rising popularity, and began forming his own style called Dilong Boxing. Well, time went on and Drakon was urged to start his own school by those who wished him to teach them his style. It was his decision to move outside of the valley so as not to create tension between him and Oogway or towards the palace he had built. However, animosity between Drakon student and Oogway himself, but of OUR master never acted upon the ridicule in the streets or the rumors of plots against him. Until, that is, Drakon heard of most of his students planning to challenge Oogway to the power that he held over the valley."

"Um, excuse me Shifu, but what power would that be?" Mantis asked from his place on the dragon warrior's shoulder.

"Well, you see the belief of the time was that Oogway was reached his enlightenment though a vision, were the ancient dragon of old merged his soul with his. Of course anyone could see it was natural kindness and wisdom that kept people close to him, but it is said that this 'power' his passed on through the next dragon warrior." A large swallowing sound could be heard from Po as Shifu continued.

"You see though, Drakon still considered the wise Tortoise as a friend and put down anyone who tried to or even spoke of fighting Oogway. However, years passed and anyone who fight's another man's battles for that long can often begin to despise them. As did Drakon, his students' rumors began to sink in and his mind and body began to warp from years of constant battle; and the time soon came when long stepped forward to challenge Oogway himself. Their battle was long and fierce one that shook the valley itself. There are some that say Drakon submitted, seeing the damage he had caused to both his friend and his home while most others say that he was defeated in combat. Either way the battle caused a backlash upon the reptilian citizens of valley, a back lash that had recently began to lift among the people. It caused Drakon to retreat to the southern mountains with a promise to return when the next dragon warrior was chosen."

"Um…yeah, I got a question or something. Is there some way that this all ends with me not fighting some pumped up lizard? No offense Viper…Viper?" Po looked around to see that Master Viper was nowhere around.

"I believe she left some time towards the end of the story. Probably off to her room and I suggest that you all do the same there, will be plenty of work for you all in the morning."