Chapter 7 Leo's New Home
Night came as the people were running, gathering their children and things. News of Tai Lung and Zhao has put them in a state of panic.
"We've got to get them out safely." Tigress said, holding a sun lantern as they reach the end of the stairs.
"Come, little one." Monkey said in a calm voice, picking up little pig girl. "Let's find your mother."
"Viper, gather the southern farmers." Tigress instructed to Viper and Mantis. "Mantis, the north."
Viper and Mantis nodded, leaving only Tigress and Crane.
"Crane, light the way." Tigress ordered him, handing the sun lantern. Before Crane can take off, Tigress notices Leo isn't with them. "Crane, where's Leo?"
"Leo told me and Viper he went to get his stuff." Crane answered. "He said he'll meet us down here."
"Alright." Tigress nodded.
Crane took off with the sun lantern. Po stops walking and pauses as Tigress was helping out a small family of bunnies. The panda said nothing as he began to walk slowly. He got to his fathers shop and entered. "Hey Dad." Po said.
The goose turns around and smiled. He was wearing a red and gold robe with a noodle-bowl-shaped hat. "Po!" Mr. Ping smiled. He ran up to his son and hugs him. As Po was finished hugging his dad, he notices his dad tied the apron on him.
"Good to have you back, son." Mr. Ping smiled, walking over their cart that was loaded with their stuff.
"Good to be back." Po muttered sadly.
"Let's go, Po." Mr. Ping said, picking up the handle.
Po walks over to the cart and places the Dragon Scroll on the cart. The two of them left the shop and walk with the crowd.
"So for our next shop, it's time to face it, the future of noodles is dice-cut vegetables, no longer slices." Mr. Ping said.
Po didn't say anything as came to a complete stop.
"Also, I was thinking, maybe this time we'll have a kitchen you can actually stand up in." Mr. Ping said. "You like that?" He turns his head around and notices Po standing there with his head down. He knew the reason why Po stopped and walks up to his son. "Po, I'm sorry thing didn't work out. It just wasn't meant to be."
Po didn't say anything as he backs into the cart and leans on it.
"Po, forget everything else." Mr. Ping said, trying to cheer Po up. "Your destiny still awaits. We are noodle folk. Broth runs deep through our veins."
"I don't know, Dad." Po sighed. "Honestly, sometimes I can't believe I'm actually your son."
Mr. Ping was a bit taken back as he swallowed. "Po, I think it's time I told you something I should have told you along time ago."
"Okay." Po said, standing up straight, looking at his father.
"The secret ingredient of my Secret Ingredient Soup." Mr. Ping said.
"Oh." Po said.
"Come here." Mr. Ping whispered as Po leaned in a bit forward. "The secret ingredient is nothing."
"Huh?" Po asked confused.
"You heard me." Mr. Ping smiled. "Nothing! There is no secret ingredient!"
"Wait, wait." Po said. "It's just plain old noodle soup? You don't add some special sauce or something?"
"Don't have to." Mr. Ping said. "To make something special, you just have to believe it's special."
Po turns around and opens the scroll. He can see his reflection. Looking back up, Po understands why there's no secret ingredient. "There is no secret ingredient." Po said.
Mr. Ping looks confused at this as Po turns around to look up at the Jade Palace.
Meanwhile, the townspeople were almost at the town's entrance. Tigress gave the small family of bunnies to Monkey as she turns around. It's been half and hour and there was still no sign of Leo anywhere. "Where are you, Leo?" Tigress thought. "What's taking you so long?"
"That should be the last of them." Mantis said, jumping on her shoulder.
"No." Tigress said.
"No?" Mantis repeated.
"Leo." Tigress said.
"Come to think of it, I haven't seen him." Mantis said.
"What's wrong?" Viper asked, slithering up next to Tigress.
"Leo's not here." Tigress answers her, looking at Viper.
"What?" Viper gasps. "He's not here?"
"If Leo stays here, he's going to be killed." Mantis said.
"I'm going to go look for him." Tigress said.
"Leo will be fine." Mantis said to her.
Tigress nods her head as Mantis jumps off her shoulder. The three of them turns around to help the towns people. Tigress took one last glance at the Jade Palace, hoping that Leo is safe.
Leo has made his way up to the tallest mountain that was next to the Jade Palace. He stood with his arms crossed as he took off his black cloak. Leo turns around and sees the ghost of Ben staring at him.
"Leo." Ben spoke. "Master Lee knew if you be convince, Zhao would believe it as well. It was his decision to keep the truth from everyone, especially to you."
"His decision?" Leo growled. "If I known what was going on, I could've help."
"I know." Ben sighed. "We are sorry that we didn't tell you."
Leo didn't say anything but he turns around, looking below to the a river of orange light slowly moving away from the valley. "You did what you have to do." Leo said. Then he turns around to see Ben wasn't there. Leo walks up to the spot where Ben stood and closes his eyes. He could feel the gentle light breeze as thunder crackles in the near distance.
"Zhao." Leo said, opening his eyes as he turns around.
Zhao stood with his arms crossed. "I have come back for the crystal." Zhao announced.
"Don't be absurd." Leo said with a stern look on his face. "The crystal will not be yours. I will stop you."
"Heh." Zhao chuckled darkly.
Zhao did a powerful axe kick to the ground, cracking the ground before he kicks the huge boulder at Leo. He reacted quickly by jumping over the boulder before Leo was punched across the face. Leo was sent flying as he lands on his feet.
"I've rotted in prison for years because of their decision!" Zhao yelled.
Leo caught his foot as he pushes Zhao away. "That wasn't their fault!" Leo yelled angrily.
Zhao roared in anger as he ran at Leo. Leo jabs his sword at Zhao, but Zhao kicks the diamond sword out of his hand, sending it high in the air. Zhao kicks him hard in the chest before throwing him across the ground.
"It was almost in my grasp." Zhao growled, remembering that day. "Lee was about to grant me the title of becoming a Kung Fu Master. But when they discovered what I did to Ben, Zen told Lee to deny me my title!"
"That was because you killed Master Ben for trying to steal the crystal!" Leo shouted, blocking a punch and pushing it away. "That was your fault!"
"My fault?!" Zhao shouted enraged. Zhao went all out on Leo. He tried his best to block every single attack, but was open. Zhao did two knee strikes to his stomach before tossing Leo into the air and slams his head to into the ground.
"Gah!" Leo grunted in pain.
The diamond sword landed in front of Leo as he was trying to ignore the pain. Zhao picks up the diamond sword and tries to drive it into Leo's back. Leo blocks the attack with both his hands, trying not to have the blade into his back.
"Where is the crystal?" Zhao snarled.
Leo didn't answer him as he kicks Zhao in the stomach and knocks the blade out of his hand. As Zhao was about to attack, he notices that the small compartment was open, revealing the Eye of the Tiger.
"The crystal." Zhao gasps before looking back at Leo. "So they hid the crystal in the sword and gave the sword to you. No matter, you won't escape as last time we met."
"You were the who tried to kill me." Leo growled.
"Yes I did." Zhao admitted. "But this time, you will die."
The morning sun was beginning to rise over the valley. Neither one moved for two seconds until Zhao took out two small grey grenades and threw them at Leo. Zhao took the opportunity to grab the sword. Leo dive quickly to dodge the grenades. He tackles into Zhao and two fell through the air. They bounced into the small courtyard and bounce on the long staircase that led into town. Leo was sent flying as he hit the ground. Blood was sliding down on his face. Zhao was a few feet away and he has cut on the side of his face, indicating he was bleeding as well. Leo looks behind him and notices the diamond sword was several feet away from him.
He turns back around and stuns Zhao in the head with a punch and a roundhouse kick to the stomach as Lee grabs his foot and swung him into the wall. Zhao shook his head and notice a bow and some arrows. Leo dodge each arrow and caught one with his hands. Zhao did a flying side kick at Leo, but missed. Leo did a quick axe on Zhao's head before stomping on his foot and running towards the diamond sword. Just before Leo was to pick the sword up, Zhao landed in front of him and took out a Chinese Manchurian Silver Dagger Knife. Leo was caught off guard as Zhao slices him across the chest.
"Argh!" Leo shouted in pain.
Zhao grabs him by the neck and slams him into the ground hard two times before throwing him against the wall. Leo threw a pan in Zhao's face and grabs the diamond sword. He puts the crystal in his pocket as he was running. Leo stops running and turns around.
Zhao shook his head and turns around to see Leo. Leo snarled as he charges at Zhao. "That crystal is mine!" Zhao bellowed. He took out several small rectangle sticky bombs and threw them several feet in front of him. Zhao pushes the switch and the sticky bombs exploded. Leo stops in his tracks and jumps away from the blast. Zhao appeared from the smoke strikes Leo in the chest with his dagger and sends Leo down to the ground.
"Hah..." Zhao panted as he landed on his feet. He walks over to the injured Leo and kicks the sword out of his hand.
"Gr... Ahh..." Leo groans.
"Finally." Zhao chuckled. "The crystal is mine." He gazes into the crystal. Then Zhao notices something. He doesn't even feel the mysterious power of the crystal flowing through his body. "Why isn't this thing working?"
Leo sat up as he turns around to face him. "Because..." Leo said, glaring at Zhao with a viscous look on his face. "The crystal only responds to the people who are born with the instinct and strength of a tiger. It turns out you can't wield the mysterious power then."
Zhao threw the crystal at Leo and caught it. Zhao growled in frustration and threw a punch at Leo's face. Leo caught the punch with his right hand. Zhao could feel his hand being in pain as Leo was crushing his hand. How was this possible? Leo took the dagger out of his chest and threw it to the ground. Before Zhao could attack, Leo did a couple knee strikes to Zhao's stomach and a few palm strikes at his throat. Leo grabs his feet and swung him across to a nearby building.
"Gr!" Zhao snarled as he jumps into the air and was about to do an axe kick.
Leo quickly blocks it after he picks up the dagger and stabs Zhao in the chest.
"Nrrgh!" Zhao grunted in pain.
Leo turns his head to the right and see some rope and fireworks in a crate. He ran over and tied the big firework to his back with two more big fireworks. Leo lit the fuse and headed towards Zhao. Zhao got hit by the firework and they were both soaring high into the air. Leo wasted no time by tying the two fireworks to Zhao's back. He grabs the nearest grenade and pulled the pin. Then Leo stabs Zhao through the heart.
"Gah!" Zhao screamed in pain.
"That's for Zen!" Leo shouted. "I expected more!" Leo cuts his ropes and falls through the air with his diamond sword. As he was at a safe distance, the fireworks and the grenade exploded as bright light appeared beneath the town and a strong wind blew across the valley. Leo can see his black hooded cloak flying towards him and he grabs it. Falling to his death, Leo knew he won't survive the fall. But he had one more idea. Leo threw the cloak over his head like a parachute. Leo was slowing down a bit. There was a river below him. As he was several feet near the river, Leo lets go of cloak and lands into the water.
"Nrgh!" Leo screamed in pain. He can feel the pain from the cuts stinging him. Leo swam to the surface, feeling the ray of the sun. As he got out of the water, Leo collapse on the ground and the sword rolled out of his hand. It was over. Zhao is defeated and the crystal is safe. Several footsteps can be heard. The last thing Leo saw was someone running to him before he went unconscious.
Leo slowly opens his eyes to see himself in a familiar place. He was back in Tigress's room. The door opens as Leo got up. "Gah." Leo grunted, putting his hand to his chest.
"Leo." Po said, entering the room with the Furious Five.
"How are you feeling?" Manits asked.
"Still feel some pain." Leo said, rubbing his chest.
"We're glad to see you're alright." Crane said.
"Is Shifu alright?" Leo asked.
"He's alright." Po smiled. "I went to check up on him after I defeated Tai Lung with the Wuxi Finger Hold."
"Po has brought peace to the valley and to me, Leo." Shifu said entering the room.
"So what happen?" Tigress asks Leo. "How come you didn't evacuate everyone?"
Leo began to explain he fought Zhao. He went on to the point that Leo strapped himself to a big firework and the firework carried Zhao and himself. Leo stabbed him through the heart as he fell into the water. "How long have I been out?" Leo asked.
"About two hours." Monkey answered.
"It's good to see you alive and well, Leo." Shifu said. "I'm going get some rest." Then he left the room.
Leo watches them leave the room one by one until it just him and Tigress. Tigress walks over and knelt down in front of him. "I was so worried that you were killed." Tigress said.
"I know." Leo said. "I did it to protect everyone. Protect you as well."
Tigress smiled before she stood up. "We should get you cleaned up." Tigress said. She was right. There was some blood stains on Leo and he has a couple bandages on his chest.
Leo nodded and stood up. As soon as he stood up, the sheet fell on the floor, leaving him naked in front of Tigress. Leo's face turns red as he picks up the sheet and puts it around his waist. He could feel the pain again and sat back down on the bed.
Tigress chuckled. "I'll be back with a bucket of hot water and some towels." Tigress said, looking at Leo. "After you heal up this week, maybe we should start dating." Then Tigress steps out of the room.
Leo couldn't help but smile. He laid back down on the bed. Things are going to be a lot different now.
I'm so glad that this story is all done. I had good time working on this story. I already have plans to make a sequel but it won't start until next year. The sequel will have to wait after doing the short films but the Kung Fu Panda Holiday Special will be posted on the holiday season this year. So I hope you all enjoyed the story and I encourage you all to leave a review!