Before the Storm
I don't own Kung Fu Panda
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Dai sat crouched on top of the Jade Palace holding a Katana, looking over the Valley it seemed so peaceful from up here. But Dai knew it was chaos down there with the villagers being evacuated. He jumped down and walked into the Training Hall which had also been serving as there temporary Barracks. Behind a screen he saw Tigress changing into her armor.
Over the last few days he and Tigress and gotten closer spending a lot of time together they even slept next to each other. Even if it was mostly just to irritate Shifu. Tigress walked out from behind the screen wearing black armor like Dai's. "You look Amazing." Dai said. "Here" he said holding out the Katana. "This is for you." "Thanks." Tigress said slinging the sword over her shoulder. Dai looked at how she had it slung and walked around behind her.
He grabbed the sword and adjusted its position. "Reach back and grab the sword." He said. Tigress grabbed her Katana and pulled it out of its sheath in one smooth motion. "Perfect." Dai said. Tigress sheathed the sword and faced Dai. Anything that might have happened next was interrupted by Feng who burst into the Training Hall.
"The Armies almost here." he said making Dai and Tigress move away from each other. "Any sign of Tai Lung?" Dai asked. "Nothing, it's like he just disappeared." Feng said. Dai knew Tai Lung has escaped on the way back to Chorh-Gom prison and was on his way to the valley. "How the evacuation going?" Dai asked "Most of the village has already been evacuated." Feng said "We're just waiting on a few stranglers."
Dai sighed and sat on the floor "How do they expect us to stop an Army?" he asked. "You're the Dragon Warrior it'll be fine." Feng said. "Oh come on!" Dai said "Who are we kidding?" "I'm no Dragon Warrior." "My first mission I nearly get killed twice." "And let China's most dangerous criminal go." "You're being too hard on yourself" Tigress said crouching down next to Dai "Everyone makes mistakes."
Dai stood up and left the Training Hall and went down to the village. It was kind of weird the place was a ghost town. Even Mr. Ping's Noodle shop was closed. Dai walked through the village almost wishing for something to happen. Dai heard someone calling for help and followed it to the prison. Dai tried the door and found it locked. "Figures." Dai said and kicked the door open knocking it clear off its hinges.
Inside there was a small holding cell and inside was the assassin who'd attacked Tigress. "Dragon Warrior!" The assassin said standing up. Dai was surprised he'd been left behind. "I'm going to give you one chance to redeem yourself." Dai said. "Help us defend the valley and I'll drop the charges against you." Dai expected him to argue. But instead he agreed right away. "Of course I'll help." He said "Just get me out of here." "I never wanted to hurt Tigress just to scare you off." "Alright, stand back." Dai said. Dai heard a rumble outside. The bombardment had started.
Dai kicked at the cell door as a cannon ball crashed through the wall and started a fire. Dai kicked at the door again as the fire rapidly grew. On the third kick the door flew open. As another cannon ball crashed through the wall knocking the young Snow Leopard to the floor "Come On!" Dai said helping him up. They ran out of the prison just as the building collapsed. They ran through the bombardment dodging cannonballs. A cannon ball hit a chimney causing it to fall in front of them. They leaped over it and kept running they were nearly at the Jade Palace Stairs when a cannon ball landed directly in front of them.
It knocked both of them to ground Dai got up on all fours, dazed his ears ringing from the explosion. Dai stood up and saw a figure approaching them. It was Tai Lung! Still a little dazed Dai took a fighting stance. Tai Lung charged at Dai and hit him before he had the chance to draw his swords. Dai blocked his next punch and hit Tai Lung in the chest. Tai Lung kicked at Dai who dodged it and reached back for his swords and realized he didn't have them, again!
"Dragon Warrior!" Dai turned and the Assassin tossed him one of his Kodachi Swords. Dai caught it and spun it in his hand, a cannon ball landed nearby showering them with dirt. Tai Lung attacked Dai again Dai twisted out of the way slicing Tai Lung on the side. Tai Lung turned around and charged at Dai who leaped into the air twisting around he landed behind Tai Lung and stabbed him in the back with the sword. Tai Lung fell to the ground and Dai pulled the sword out. Tai Lung suddenly rolled over and kicked Dai in the head.
Dai reeled back and nearly fell Tai Lung took advantage of it and attacked Dai as cannon balls rained down around them. Dai slammed into a wall and Tai Lung punched him in the chest, armor or not it still hurt and Dai felt ribs crack a second punch and they broke completely, Dai collapsed to the ground coughing up blood. Tai Lung kicked away Dai's sword. And rolled Dai onto his back. "Now I will become the rightful Dragon Warrior." Tai Lung said. I…Don't…Think…So… Dai said. Seeing Tigress behind Tai Lung with her Katana. She stabbed Tai Lung, in the back, Dai saw the blade stick out of his chest. Tigress pulled the blade out of Tai Lung and he fell forward. Tigress rushed over Dai and helped him up.
"We have to get him back up to the Palace." she said. They carried Dai back up to the Palace, once there Tigress asked who the Assassin was. "I'm Lang." the Assassin said. "I'm sorry for what I did to you." "It doesn't matter now." Tigress said removing Dai's chest plate underneath she saw Dai's skin was broken and bleeding in multiple places, his normally white fur was stained with red.
"Get me some bandages!" She said. Feng rushed off to find some Bandages for Dai. He returned quickly and Tigress started wrapping Dai's chest causing him to yelp in pain. When she was finished she laid him back down on the floor of the Training Hall. "So… Now what?" Feng asked. They all heard a horn and rushed outside.
Standing at the top of the Jade Palace stairs they could see the Army marching into the Village, they looked at each other. The invasion had begun.
Stay tuned for the multi part conclusion "Dragon's fall."