Chapter 17

Life and Death

Song looked at the black wolf in freight, as she twitched her eyes to the two chained-up prisoners. She saw Tai Lung.

Gasping, she sprinted over to him. "Tai Lung! Tai Lung..." Song went to hug the chained-up snow leopard.

"Uh... Song... I thought you were-"

"No, Tai Lung! The Dragon Warrior revived me!" She smiled greatly.

Master Shifu gasped, as he picked up his head. "Po? He... he used the Dragon Scroll?"

Song turned to Shifu. "Yes, yes! He's here now! He came back, Shifu..." She then heard many screaming clashes coming from behind her. Turning around, she saw Thailaan was down on the ground just getting up from a massive blow, while the panda was fighting for his life, with Song's Khanda.

"Quick, Song! Free us!" Tai Lung cried, as he coughed again from the black snow, that was now frosted all around his fur.

Song nodded, as she focused on the metal that was keeping Tai Lung strained.

"Just... focus." Tai Lung breathed, as he flinched from the yells and screams that were coming from Thailaan and the wolf.

Shifu was looking at Song in wonder. She will free the next Dragon Warrior! His chest grew in excitement, as Song closed her eyes, and swatted at the chains that were keeping Tai Lung chained to the wall. Once he was just a bit freed, he laughed in wonder, as he yanked on his other chains. They broke off with a grunt.

Freeing Shifu, Song looked over to Tai Lung, who was staring angrily at the thriving demon wolf, who seemed to be winning the battle.

"Song, I know nothing of Kung Fu, nor does Master Shifu! Without Kung Fu, we cannot fight." Tai Lung clenched his fists.

Song looked down, as she stared at the smooth, stone ground. As quick as a flash, she stepped down, and pounded the ground with her fist. A slab of rock flew up, and in mid-air, she sliced it twice, making the end of it fairly sharp. She caught it, as it looked almost like a spear. Or sword.

"You still have your strength! I know you may not know Kung fu, but-" She handed the sword to the stunned Tai Lung. "...I remember teaching you a bit of sword fighting back in the town. That did not get erased from your memory." She smiled, as she also made one for the red panda.

Shifu stared at her in shock. "I did not know... you were as talented as this!" Shifu felt the sword, as he soon gained hope. He knew-

AAAH! They all turned around to a deathly scream from Po, who nearly got stabbed by the wolf's now black Katana.

Gasping, Tai Lung ran over to him, along with Song and Shifu.

Sky stood in the center, as he drooled black saliva. They all stood around him, Thailaan, Po, Song, Shifu, and Tai Lung.

The black wolf smiled, as his horrible breath reached the others crowded around him. His teeth were black, as they were soon rotting. He was dead, though, he was still alive. "Now, doesn't this seem familiar? I remember you, Tai Lung, as the Furious Five were crowded around you. Now lets see what you did..." Sky quickly removed his sword, and slashed at Po, who quickly dodged it.

Thailaan jumped on the wolf, and wrapped her sword around his neck. "I don't even know what you're talking about, but this is the end..." She slowly backed away, as the others stared at him in utter anger. Sky didn't lean back against her, making the sword cut into his flesh. He chuckled, as he grabbed the sharp end of the sword, and removed it from her hand, as his hand bled horribly. Spinning the sword around, he was now holding two swords.

Gasping, Thailaan backed away from the wolf, who was now staring at her with horrifying eyes.

Sky grasped the two swrds tightly, as he got into stance. "C'mon, you bastards..." He growled, as he held both swords out, bleeding all over.

Song growled, as she was about to jump after him. Po stopped her. "Wait! I know what will happen if we do this..."

Not thinking, Shifu and Tai Lung pounded after Sky. Jumping, the others joined, and exactly as Po predicted, he was gone, along with... Tai Lung!

"No!" Song ran over to the edge of the porch, and jumped after the wolf. Catching onto his left foot, she hung onto him with her life. They were right above the volcano.

Po and Thailaan looked at each other, as they quickly jumped after her, leaving Shifu at the deck.

Master Shifu stood there, as his eyes blurred. He knew that by the death of the newly planted Peach Tree... that this was the end of his own life. He he slowly fell to his knees. "I cannot... carry on, Po... The Peach Tree... It carried my life... And now it's almost completely ruined." His vision slowly went black, as he took one last look at the flying panda. "The volcano... it will blow once I leave this world... Po, please... stay... away from..." He took one last staggering breath, as he collapsed to the ground. He slowly disappeared, as a white cloud slowly grew from his body. Shifu was dead. And the volcano that he was holding back...

Thailaan and Po landed on the bridge, as it slowly cracked from the landing of all five of the animals. They ran after the tripped wolf, as he tried to kick away from the fox, holding Tai Lung. Screaming, he kicked her hard in the face, as she went flying into Thailaan. Po kept running, as he was only meters away from the fleeing black wolf. They were all now almost in the middle of the volcano that was about to blow.

Sky ran hard on his two legs, as he held the squirming snow leopard, while Po was close behind him. Po was actually gaining on the wolf, as he quickly took his sword out, and sliced at Sky's legs. The sword cut deeply in, as the wolf roared, dropped Tai Lung, and fell off the edge.

The panda was filled with great hope, as he ran over to Tai Lung. "Tai Lung!" He helped the snow leopard up, as Tai Lung's eyes were desperately filled with painful tears.

"Is it... is it over?"

Po looked around frantically, as he turned back to Tai Lung, smiling, relieved. "Yes... yes! It's... it's over!" Po quickly put Song's massive sword back into it's case at his side, as he reached into his pocket. Withdrawing a red and green scroll, he looked up at Tai Lung.

The snow leopard gasped. "Po... you're, you're giving it to me?"

"You need it more than I do." Po gave him a comforting grin. "I've realized that I have no need for this. It's not the Dragon Scroll that kept my place in this world," He looked at the snow leopard with trusting eyes. "But just what I think of myself, and what I know of myself. I could never be a great as you, Tai Lung. You earned it. Just remember this: there is no secret ingredient. It's just... you."

Tai Lung looked down at the scroll, and slowly opened it...

Gasping, he stared at the reflection which now brought him back to his past...

"I don't want him in my house! I did not want a kid in the first place, and now, you come in with him?"

"Run, run, go! Get your baby out of here! Give him a home, one that would not scar him from the world..."

"Very good, Tai Lung! You will learn Kung Fu. I find you will be a great master someday... and maybe... the next Dragon Warrior!"

"Not chosen? But Master Oogway! He has mastered the 1,000 scrolls of Kung Fu, and is my best student!"

"Tai Lung has escaped the prison! Shifu, you must tell Oogway, we need the Dragon Warrior to defeat him! And for good!"

"...I figured it out myself. Skadoosh." BOOM!

"Po! You will give me that scroll now!"

"You need to rid yourself from your past, Tai Lung..."

"I am revived, Tai Lung! I'm alive!"

"You, Tai Lung, are the next Dragon Warrior."

Tai Lung blinked, as his life flashed before his eyes. He just remembered who he really was now: not just the guardian of Kung Fu, but the keeper of the Dragon Scroll, just as he has always wished. A revelation of happiness and sorrow filled his heart, as he tried to force words out. "Po, I-"

"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!" A black figure came jumping in, as it landed right on Po, forcing him off the edge of the bridge.

"Po!" Tai Lung screamed, as he rushed over to the edge, but, it was too late. Po was... Po was gone!

"Mmmhmhmhmhmm....." The black wolf slowly chuckled, as he stumbled to his feet. Tai Lung knew how the wolf survived now: he clung onto the bottom of the bridge with his own paws, and flung himself back up, onto Po. Who was now...

Tai Lung gasped, as he saw a bloody fist coming for him. Tensing up, he dodged it. He... dodged it? And another... and, and another!

In rage, the wolf kneed Tai Lung in the-

Chhing!

The wolf seemed surprised that it didn't hurt Tai Lung. "What the fuck... you're wearing a cup?"

"No, I am not..." Tai Lung smiled, as he got into stance. "That was the Dragon Scroll." His eyes widened, as he saw the wolf blasting barks at him, as he threw fists. Tai Lung easily dodged them, as he quickly remembered everything, including all the 1,000 scroll of Kung Fu.

It is not the mind, that you need, Tai Lung, but yourself. Your trust and hope takes it all. Although the ones you have loved are now gone, there is always a way to get them back. Just, remember... to believe in yourself... Tai Lung...

Tai Lung looked back down at Sky, who was now withdrawing his Katana. He quickly looked down, as the bridge started to shake. He could hear gasps coming from Song and Thailaan. They stopped running for him.

"It's going to blow!" He heard a scream from the two girls, as they quickly turned back around, and ran in the other direction, and away from the battle.

"Tai Lung!" Sky ordered. "Hand it over, and I'll make sure you get out of this alive." He brought his bloody paw towards Tai Lung, as the snow leopard searched for an answer.

"I..." He gasped, as he saw Master Shifu collapsing to the ground. His eyes went wide, as he remembered this volcano represented the spirit of what Kung Fu was, and it was atached to the Peach Tree. Shifu's life was held in the Peach Tree, just as Oogway's life was held in the old Peach Tree.

In deep thought, Tai Lung finally decided to give it up. Just... give it up-

BOOOOOM!!!!

The world froze, as Tai Lung saw Skyler, with his shocked, desperate face. The wolf slowly lowered his hands, as a rush of heat brushed over the two. Gasping, Tai Lung quickly punched the wolf one last time before-

Whooosh!

Tai Lung blinked, as he looked down. The lava was right under them now, but it wasn't touching their feet... though, the bridge was keeping them alive!

The bridge broke into six massive pieces, and all went flying into the air, with Tai Lung and Sky still on them.

Sky got up, as he growled. They were now in mid-air, standing on top of a solid piece of bridge, while the lava behind them were pushing them high in the air. The wolf quickly dove under Tai Lung and took his leg with his sword.

Reacting, the snow leopard kicked the Katana down, as he stared at the wolf's red eyes. Wind passed through their fur, as the hotness of the lava took each of their breaths.

Tai Lung took one last look at the wolf. Clenching his teeth together, he took hold of the wolf's sword, and pinned him to the ground by his feet. Taking the sword up in anger, Tai Lung stabbed once in the stomach. The wolf gasped greatly. "This!" He grunted, as he withdrew the sword. "Is for killing my friends!" Adrenaline rushed through his body, as he stabbed again. "This! Is for taking over the Valley of Peace, and killing all of the townsfolk!"

The ground shook with a massive BOOM! That the lava bore.

Tai Lung gasped, as lava touched his tail. Clenching his eyes shut, he screamed at the pain. Quickly opening his eyes to find the wolf attempting to escape, he took the sword again, as the lava slowly raised up on the little peice of bridge they were now on.

"And... This!" He gasped at the heat. "Is for taking the life of my master, and my friend... Po!" Lava started to raise up even more, until it almost touched the snow leopard.

Staring down at the possessed wolf with teary eyes, Tai Lung breathed hard. Finally... after all these years, after all my anger and confusion... after every death and mournful thing that you have caused me, it is finally... A great tear passed Tai Lung's cheek, as he let go of the sword, and collapsed on the wolf. It... is finally...

Over.

A voice.

"Tai Lung..."

"Yes, Master Shifu."

"I must tell you, you have been a great help throughout saving my life, along with everyone else's."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean... I used your power to save us, to save China, to save the world, and mostly, to save Kung Fu."

Tai Lung breathed in hard, as his eyes were shut. Something soft touched his lips...

"Yes, you have saved Kung Fu, you have made a legend throughout China, to cherish and love forever. Tai Lung, you have fulfilled your dream..."

Tai Lung gasped, as he shot his eyes open. A shiver took his body, as he soon settled down. The first thing he saw was a tigress sitting over him... possibly...

"Tai Lung!!" The tigress bent down to hug him tightly. Her eyes seemed to be stained red with tears. "Guys! He's alive! He... he's alive!"

Tai Lung's blurred vision cleared out, as he looked at the tigress' face deeply. "T... Tigress...?"

"Yes, yes!" Tigress hugged him once again, as she soon lost control of all her emotions. She took his cheeks, bent down, and kissed him once again, while her tears fell upon his face.

Behind her, the Furious Five came rushing in. They seemed to be extremely surprised.

"Why are you... surprised? Am I... am I dead...?" He blinked slowly, as he almost closed his eyes completely.

"No, no... Tai Lung! You saved us!" Tigress laughed greatly, as tears stained her face.

"Tai Lung... you're, different." Viper smiled, as her expression changed to happiness and excitement.

Tai Lung looked at his side, where the wound Skyler, who was now dead, gave him. It was bandaged up. He seemed to be lying in a room of some sort... Maybe Tigress'.

Monkey, Mantis, and Crane looked him over, as they nodded in approval.

"You are a great... leader, Tai Lung." Crane agreed. He seemed a bit depressed.

"Wait... hold on... what am I.. that volcano... Master Shifu..." He staggered, while he held his side. He was in great pain, as he tried to hold it back.

"Oh, Tai Lung, we have... so much to tell you!" Tigress smiled, as she looked at the others. Blinking, she quickly changed her emotion. "So much happened, Tai Lung." She cleared her throat.

The five stopped staring, as they heard something... something that sounded like foot steps. Staring behind themselves, Mantis and Monkey cleared the way, giving Tai Lung a direct overlook onto who just came in. It was Master Shifu.

Tai Lung slowly crawled away, while still on his back. "I'm sorry, master, I didn't mean-"

"You have no need to be sorry, Tai Lung." Shifu grinned, as he slowly walked towards the snow leopard. "You are now welcome to the Jade Palace."

"Why? What... what did I do to deserve this?"

"You have defeated Skyler, the one I predicted would come, and saved us all!" Shifu gave a friendly chuckle.

"What do you mean by 'saving' you all?" Tai Lung questioned.

Everyone just smiled, as Shifu made his way over to Tai Lung. "I mean 'save', by renewing us. You raised us up. You... revived us!" Shifu exclaimed.

"But how,... how!" Tai Lung cried, as he sat up.

Shifu sat down, cross-legged. "You used the power of the Dragon Scroll. You used it! And you used it right on time, when the one seeking it was destroyed, you used it to heal us from the dead!"

"So I... no, I couldn't have! I wasn't even thinking of it at that time!"

"Trust me, I'm sure you have always been thinking about Tigress."

"What does Tigress have to do anything about this?" He bolted his head over to Tigress, as a warm rush quickly passed over him. She was... beautiful, even though her fur was ragged.

"She was the same as everyone else."

"What do you mean by everyone?"

"I mean, the Furious Five, the townsfolk-"

"What about Song and Thailaan?" Tai Lung begged.

Seconds of silence filled the room.

Squinting down, Shifu walked out of the room, as Tai Lung stared at him. "Come, outside. I will explain everything."

Tai Lung looked back at Tigress, who was still smiling greatly at his appearance. She nodded for him to follow her master, as he did so.