Chapter 2: Master of the Lake

By EDT

Disclaimer:

Kung Fu Panda and its characters are owned by Dreamworks SKG. The following material is intended to entertain free of charge and without profit.

Chapter 2: The Master of the Lake

The moment Tigress stepped through Suon's portal and into the Wandering Realm, she and Po were immediately greeted by the skies of the strange world which were grayish brown and its clouds were in a constant state of flowing movement. The sun radiated through the long clouds with its light which gave the realm an ethereal and surreal atmosphere. The mood wasn't exactly dreary just otherworldly.

They arrived at the shores of a large lake and across from their position was a small isle. The waters of the lake were eerily still and there was hardly a ripple to break the mirror-like reflection which gave an illusion of two worlds stacked upon each other.

Then Po gave Tigress a wide eyed expression and pointed at her. "What's that collar?"

"Huh, what?" Tigress said and felt a smooth stone collar around her neck.

"That is the collar of the Black Lotus," Suon said. "It was always on you ever since you read the black scroll. Coming into this realm allowed you to see it."

Tigress narrowed her eyes and bared her canines. "Why is it on me?"

"For insurance," Suon stated without a flinch in his demeanor. "It's bound to you until your completion of the trials. Any attempt of escape from this realm will cause the collar to steal your soul and awarded to the Black Lotus."

Then the black bear pointed across lake's small island. "Over there is your first trial, the Master of the Lake is awaiting your arrival. Take the small boat and make your way across the lake to meet him."

"Whoa whoa whoa, wait!" Po said. "I thought we were going to meet the Black Lotus first!"

Suon chuckled. "You will, eventually. Only if after Master Tigress defeated the three masters that are holding the children captive."

"Before I head over to meet the Master of the Lake," Tigress said. "I need to know the rules and details of these Trials."

"Of course, you are entitled. Rule number one: You must defeat the three masters to free the children. Rule number two: If you fail to defeat any of the masters, the souls of the children will be awarded to the Black Lotus and you are free to go."

"Which won't happen because Tigress won't allow it!" Po said.

"Rule number three: when all the children are free, it still leaves your soul for the Black Lotus's taking. You must earn your freedom by defeating the Black Lotus in combat."

"The final rule, your companion here is not allowed to get involved with your battles he is only to play witness and will serve as your healer. Anything more will result in your soul's forfeiture or that of the childrens'."

"Okay, the rules are," Po said. "One, defeat the masters. Two, don't lose. Three, defeat the Black Lotus. And four, I can't help during battles."

"Correct."

"Pfft," Po said in a nonchalant manner. "Doesn't sound so bad."

"Of course it doesn't, the way you put it," Tigress said. "The pressure is all on me, failure isn't an option. It's going to be easier said than done."

"Master Tigress shows her wisdom," Suon said. "Now go, the Master of the Lake awaits your arrival."

"Right," she said and turned towards the boat.

"Hey, Tigress," Po said. "Before you head out there."

"Yes, Po?"

"Show that master of the lake who's more awesome, okay?"

Tigress smiled at the Dragon Warrior's remark. "You know it. After all, that child out there needs me at my best."

Po nodded, smiled, and gave her a thumbs up.

Tigress smiled and returned the gesture. Then she looked outward towards the island in the center of the lake and stepped into the small boat. There was a paddle attachment at the stern to allow basic propulsion. She took hold of the handle and started to push back and forward to push herself forward along the water. She looked over to the shore and saw that Po wore a concerned expression on his face.

Tigress gave the panda a nod of assurance to let him know that she would be alright. He understood, smiled, raised his right hand high, and gave her another thumbs up. She smiled and felt thankful for Po's supportive nature. If there was anyone who could bring levity into such a dire situation. She was glad that it was Po that she chose to accompany her on her mission.

She focused her mind and looked towards her destination. Along the side of the boat she saw large forms swimming just below the waterline, they were large white carp. Probably curious about her presence there at the lake. She wondered how often the lake had visitors here? Probably very rare based on the size of the fish. If there had been visitors, the animals wouldn't so abundant.

As the island came into closer view, Tigress noticed a lone figure seated in a meditation style its back facing her. In front of the stranger was a small fawn suspended within a large crystal shaped like a lotus flower. The object was chest-high and wide enough for Tigress to wrap her arm around it completely. The crystal was clear like glass and its color was a slightly pink hue.

As her boat reached the shoreline, the figure stood up and turned around. Tigress stepped off the boat and walked over to the master of the lake. He was a large black salamander, his eyes were blue just like those of Master Suon's, his skin looked smooth and shiny. His head was almost as flat as a shovel and his fingers were frog-like. He held a staff with a long blade on its end.

"I am Master Salamander," he said, his voice surprisingly high pitched. "You are hear for the child, I presume?"

"I am."

"Prepare yourself!" Master Salamander said as he raised his bladed staff. Two large torrents of the lake's water swooped from behind the amphibian.

Master Tigress jumped away and landed on the small boat into a crouching position and her teeth bared.

"I see that you have very fast reflexes," Salamander said.

"Among other things," she said and narrowed her feral golden eyes.

"Then let us see how your skills hold up against my water attacks!" He said and spat a powerful jet stream of water from his mouth at Tigress.

She leaped high into the air to avoid the blast. As soon as the projectile of water reached her position, she landed on the stream, and slid down the water.

The salamander realized her move and closed his mouth to stop his water jet attack.

Great! Not only does he know kung fu but he also knows magic. Tigress thought as she launched from the final portion of the jet stream and landed in front of the master. She punched her opponent but the Salamander blocked her attack with his staff. He quickly turned away and tried sweep her off her feet with his slimy tail. She jumped to avoid the sweep but as soon as he turned towards her, she felt her chest punched by a fist wrapped within a layer of water.

The strength of the Salamander's attack was unexpected and Tigress felt herself skid harshly into the lake. The waters of the lake was ice cold and she quickly swam to the surface due to the shock of the freezing temperatures. She saw the master of the lake waving his spear around which caused the water around Tigress to swirl.

She found herself in a whirlpool and tried to swim out of its vortex currents. With all her kung fu training and might, she swam against the flow of water. The chilling effects of the water made her muscles scream in agony and she felt her body clench trying to hold every ounce of body heat within. This wasn't working out for her so she decided to take in a deep breath, dived, and swam with the current.

As she suspected, the whirlpool was at its weakest at the base, so she managed to swim away from the trap. She circled around the small island where the salamander waited for her to break surface. Thankfully, with her natural striping, there were long blades of underwater grass that camouflaged her approach. She put her position towards Salamander's back and without a moment to lose, she launched from the water right at her opponent, and started to throw some punches.

"You can't sneak up on me," Salamander said angrily. "You have to do better than that!" he said then blocked Tigress's punch with his staff. He twirled his staff to produce a wall of water at Tigress and again, she found herself in the lake.

If only I can get close enough to my opponent, she thought. No matter how hard she tried, his water technique would always repel her advances. Just above her, she noticed a large carp curiously investigating her at close range while below her were the long blades of grass. An idea lit up her mind and she quickly pulled the vegetation from the lake bottom.

From the shores of the lake, Po watched as Tigress battled the Master of the Lake. The fight was almost getting too intense for him to watch. His favorite furious five member dueling it out with a kung fu master imbued with magic. He skirted up and down the waterline trying to get a better view of the battle. So far, from what Po could see, Tigress didn't seem to be doing too well against her opponent.

"Oh man, oh man," Po said frantically. "Please be ok," he said when he saw Tigress disappeared into waters of the lake for the second time. "Oh this sucks! I wish I could help her but I'm stuck here with you!" he said and pointed at Suon.

Suon shrugged and continued to observe the battle. "Interesting," he said.

Po watched as Tigress broke the surface of the water in an explosive matter. She managed to harness some long blades of grass around a giant carp's mouth and rode the fish like a horse.

The Salamander was stunned by this display and raised his staff to conjure up another wall of water. Within a short window of time, Tigress was above her opponent and used the giant carp as shield to deflect the deluge of water. The heroine used both feet and grasped the sides of the large fish.

She flipped forward somersaulting three times with the fish underneath her. She released the giant white carp and it flew at the Salamander like a missile. As if by reflex, the Master of the Lake threw up a wall of water to repel the fish. This helped opened up an attack for Tigress and flew at the Salamander with a flying kick.

"Wow!" Po said.

Tigress's kick landed on the wooden body of the staff. The black salamander lifted her up with both hands to push her away. Tigress used his motion to go up into the air and she flipped forward and straightened herself downwards. With her right fist balled and extended, she channeled all of her strength and focus.

Her fist impacted the Salamander's bladed staff with a forceful punch and in one split second, she shattered her enemy's weapon in two pieces. She felt a wave of magic released from the destruction of the weapon and knew right away that he could no longer use his water spells. The shock on Salamander's expression says it all to her and she quickly took advantage of his surprise to make short work of him.

Tigress kicked him in the belly. He keeled over in pain and she punched him in the face so hard that he cartwheeled sideways. When he landed, he tried to tail sweep her to throw off her balance but she lifted her leg to avoid the attack and stomped down on the tail.

The salamander sat up and screamed but she punched him immediately. When he fell back, Tigress stomped on his tail again, which made her enemy sat up and scream again. She put all her weight into her punch and knocked the amphibian out cold.

"Whoo! Yeah!" Po said from across the lake. "Now THAT was totally awesome!"

Tigress looked down at her fallen opponent and noticed his form started to wane and dissipate like a mist. When the Salamander completely disappeared, the lotus crystal that held the fawn captive shattered and the young child fell to the ground. Tigress ran over to the freed hostage and checked for any wounds. The young deer was dressed in a blue robe and her fur was golden brown.

"I'm free," said the young deer. She looked up at Tigress and gave her a look of awe and surprise. "Y-you're Master Tigress!"

Tigress smiled and nodded in confirmation. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, I was really scared when they kidnapped me. Thank you so much for rescuing me!" The fawn said and gave Tigress a hug. The Master smiled and wrapped her large arms around the small youngster.

After a brief moment, Tigress gently pulled the young deer away from her. "What's your name, young one?"

"My name's Lin!"

"Let's get back to shore before it gets dark," Tigress said and sneezed.

"Bless you!"

"Congratulations on your victory," Suon said as Tigress and Lin landed their boat to the shore.

"Tigress, good work!" Po said excitedly. "You really showed that salamander a thing or two!"

"Thanks Po," Tigress said.

Lin gasped, "Wow! It's the Dragon Warrior! He's here too!"

Po smiled at the young deer. "Why hello there! What's your name?"

"My name's Lin! Pleased to meet you!"

While the two introduced each other, Tigress turned her attention to Suon. "What happened to the Master of the Lake? Did I kill him? He just vanished."

"No, you only defeated him. Just like this realm, he is awakened from sleep every fifty years to guard a child for the Lady Black Lotus."

"So he will rise up again in fifty years?"

"Unless you defeat the Lady, then he will sleep permanently."

"Alright, I've had my fill of black magic talk," Po said while carrying Lin on one of his shoulders. "Let's set up camp and I will serve up some of that famous noodle soup because I'm starving!"

"Yeah! Me too!" Lin said with her arms in the air.

Master Tigress felt a ticklish sensation coming from her sinuses. She tried to resist the urge to sneeze but ended up sneezing twice in a row; followed by a bit of runny nose.

"Bless you," Po and Lin said at the same time.

To Be Continued...

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