Disclaimer: Once again, and again, and again. I don't own Kung Fu Panda and everything in it. OC's belong to me and me alone unless you want to use them. Before anything and anything. I want to give a huge and huge thanks to Luna Goldsun. I really really want to thank you for the great beta work that you've done here. It's amazing. On with the story...
Chapter 16
Leo…Leo… a voice echoed through the unknown surroundings. Leo…Leo, wake up…it's not your time yet…
Total darkness engulfed the lion warrior as he floated in the middle of nowhere. Leo…LEO!!
Leo's eyes opened with surprise and he saw nothing. Leo…the voice echoed in the darkness. He moaned and rubbed his head through his ruffled mane as he scanned through his surroundings.
Leo…Finally, the source of the voice appeared and floated in front of him. Leo's feline eyes opened in fear but with elation as well. "Ssu Lin?" he spoke. "Ssu Lin, is that you?"
He stood back on his legs and tried to see the ghostly figure if he was right, "Ssu Lin?"
Leo…
His eyes widened, "Ssu Lin!" he recognized that sweet voice anywhere. "Where are you? Ssu Lin! I-I'm here. I'll protect you. Please, c-come back!"
The lion's eyes started to well up with tears and he look through the unknown darkness around him. Finally, a sign. Bright light shone in front of him and he had to cover his blinded eyes. An opaque vision of a lioness stood in front of him and delivered a sweet and caring smile. "How are you doing, Leo?"
"Ssu Lin!" he screamed and grasped her ghostly paws but went right through it. "Ssu Lin, I need you. I-I can't find the answer. Please, you're my courage."
The lioness just smiled, "It's not yet over, Leo. You have much to do. You can't touch me, which means that it is not your time. This is not how it is meant to be."
"B-But I don't care anymore," tears flowed from his eyes and trickled down his mane. "I-I need you. I can't stand the world anymore. I don't care. I'd rather die and be together with you."
"Leo," she came in closer and touched his cheeks. It was so light, like a butterfly's wing against his skin, so light he would have missed it were he not paying attention. "It's not your time," she said. "Your mother would be disappointed in you. I will be, Tai Lung will be."
"What does Tai Lung has anything to do with this?" he demanded.
Suddenly, another bright light shone through the darkness and another figure, a male snow leopard, appeared. "Everything." It spoke in a hoarse voice. The snow leopard's voice sounded quite similar to Tai Lung, but deeper. Leo knew him instantly.
"Dad?!" Leo looked surprised. "Dad! Baba!"
The snow leopard smirked. "You've grown quite a lot, and into a good man. You feistiest, bravest little cub from the start, and what an appetite! Lucky you've got that quick metabolism."
Leo was proud of himself, yet confused. "Baba, where am I? Am I dead? Why can I talk with you and Ssu Lin? Am I a spirit?"
"Leo, stop," Ssu Lin said. "You are not dead. Odin protected you. Odin has always protected you from darkness but Odin alone cannot do this without your courage and strength. You are both strong; mentally and physically. It's your true judgment. You can go back and live again, or you can join us, here, in the spirit world."
"I-I want to be with you." Leo answered her.
"But I don't," she replied. "I want you to live. You have many unaccomplished things to do, too many. The scroll isn't what you want; it's finding your courage. Tai Lung will help."
"He knows nothing!" the lion argued.
"You should know that he's your brother," the male snow leopard shot in.
"What?" Leo said with surprise.
The snow leopard took a few steps closer to him. "Tai Lung, or also known as Hoong Long, as his given name, is your brother."
The lion's eyes widen. "My, brother? How-How can that be? I'm a lion, he's a snow leopard; we're two completely different species!"
"Leo," his father continued. "You are fraternal twins. Mama was a lioness, and I'm a snow leopard. Our love is stronger than what normal species are and by Kuang Yin's grace, Hoong and you were born. Hoong looks so much more like me, and you like your mum. Those eyes of yours, resembles so much like hers; those bright amber eyes…"
Leo's eyes brimmed with tears; he couldn't believe it, it couldn't be possible. The snow leopard continued, "Then a tragedy happened."
"The earthquake," Leo choked.
Silence filled the darkness for a brief moment and the spirit touched Leo's calloused paws. "I and Hoong were lost in the earthquake but you and mama survived. At least, I managed to raise you till you were 4 months old."
"What happened later, Baba? What happened? I don't remember. How did Tai Lung survive? How did he end up in the Jade Palace?" Leo anxiously asked.
"Leo," Ssu Lin interrupted. "Your path has been forged. Now go, Tai Lung needs you. You are family to him and he needs his brother by his side right now. Go."
"But Ssu Lin," Leo called out to the two spirits of his two closes family but they started to fade in the darkness.
"Baba!" Leo called back. "Where's Mama? Where?"
"She's waiting, waiting for you." His father's voice was vague and soft but still Leo was relentless. He needed to know!
"Ssu Lin! Wait! Ssu Lin!! I love you! Ssu Lin!! Come back!"
Dusk was approaching. The forest had completely darkened and blocked the rays of the sun which made the place feel as if night decided to come earlier than usual. Leo's body was left on the ground where he has been since that morning's incident.
"Leo," a commanding voice spoke. "Leo! Wake up!"
Leo's feline eyes opened immediately to the sound of the voice and bolted right up. It was Odin's voice and it bent down to face Leo. The face of the materialized god looked right through Leo's orange eyes with authority and power. "Your journey isn't over. Remember that." With those fine words, it dissipated into the darkness.
"My journey..." Leo echoed those words to himself and looked up to the swiftly darkening sky. "Right…Vikki and Snow. I have to stop them… Tai Lung, I'm coming. Hang in there."
The wind breezed right through his face as he quickened his speed, heading towards the Jade Palace. He only had a vain hope that Vikki hadn't summoned the mighty dragon from the scroll itself. If that were to happen, nothing in the world would stop her.
What is it that she yearns for? If not wealth, is it power? What is it? Leo shook those questions away from his mind but instead, concentrated on his movements.
The lion's speed was incredible as he dodged each tree in his path until he finally reached the village. With quick reflexes, Leo climbed the towering wall surrounding the village and landed on the other side with ease. He sped off immediately but skidded to a stop when he saw a familiar figure. Though he wasn't sure if it was who he thought it was, but he had his guesses. He narrowed his eyes and strode towards the animal. Once within a reasonable distance, he managed to recognize the shadowing figure. The Dragon Warrior?
Po was muttering and was looking around anxiously to the left and right as if he wasn't sure where he was going. On the panda's paw, the Dragon Scroll.
Leo gasped, "The scroll!" He quickly ran towards the Dragon Warrior and called to him. "Dragon Warrior!"
Po turned and saw the big lion." Um…and you are?" he asked.
"No need for formal introductions." Leo sneered at Po. "Hand me the scroll, if you want to live."
Po looked at him with suspicious eyes and scanned the lion. Remember what Tai said, always size up your opponent and scan for any possible harm.
"Dragon Warrior," Leo extended his big paws. "The scroll, I know what to do with it and I have a plan on how to stop Vikki. I'm sure Tai Lung has already explained everything to you."
"Why should I trust you?" Po asked.
"Because," Leo paused for a brief moment. "Because I have an idea and we need to do this, fast."
Po nonchalantly took his signature stance and prepared. "Fight me first. You win, you get the scroll."
"I don't have time for your childish games—" he was cut off as a loud explosion broke through the silence and brought every villager out of their houses to see what the commotion was about. Smoke rose up in the direction of the Jade Palace.
"The Dragon Warrior!" a rabbit cried. All the villagers were muttering silently and started to gather around the two warriors.
"Dragon Warrior! Now! Trust me!" Leo raised his voice higher than the villagers combined together. Po looked at the direction of the Jade Palace and back to Leo. His paws were shaking and trembling with fear.
They're there already. What should I do? Po thought. Obey Shifu? Or my instincts?
"Your instincts," Leo answered.
Po's monochromatic eyes widened in shock. "You-You read minds?"
"No, I don't," Leo causally answered him. "But I know a lot about your Arcana, the World. Ask yourself, do you feel good and victorious if you hand in the scroll to me? Do you feel it's the right thing? Do you want to do it? Don't care about what Shifu said. Just be yourself, your Arcana."
Po's mind was racing; what felt good what was right? If he handed over the scroll to this stranger—to someone who he knew was an enemy—would it be the right thing? He looked around at the villagers, their faces pale with fear and worry.
Finally, Po sighed heavily and slowly handed the scroll to the lion.
"Here."
Po's paws were shaking violently and Leo slowly grasped the edge of the scroll. He looked at Po and said, "I'm sorry." With those fine words, Leo delivered a quick back swing to Po's head and struck his collarbone hard. Po was unconscious.
The villagers gasped and cried for help .They ran all around like ants without any direction and screamed at the top of their voices.
"Quiet! All of you!" Leo roared so loud that the other village over the Thread of Hope could have heard him.
They stopped screaming and stood their ground. Children were crying and men scowled at him.
"Stay where you are," Leo answered. "Do not come out, unless Master Shifu says so. I repeat, do not roam the streets now."
With those final statements, he sprinted to the direction of the Jade Palace. Hold on brother, I'm coming. Please, don't die…
"Ungh!" Shifu was slammed to the walls in the Sacred Hall of Warriors.
Vikki casually stood at the entrance of the great hall while Isis floated above her. Monkey, Viper and Mantis were knocked to the ground, incapacitated, but Crane, Tigress and Tai Lung withstood the assault.
"What is this?" Crane choked out the words. "Why is she so powerful?"
"Her persona," Tai Lung answered the avian.
"Persona?" Crane retaliates. "What on earth is that?"
"No time for explanations. Prepare for the next attack," Tai Lung stood up and unsheathed his claws. "Where is Snow?" Tai Lung screamed at her.
"Him?" she just chuckled menacingly. "He's off to find the scroll. I'm here to delay you. That's all. Apparently, none of you can defeat me. What a pity. Only three left."
Tai Lung slowly walked to the middle of the hall and locked his eyes with hers. "Let's go, me and you."
"Tai! No!" Tigress called out to him.
"Crane, hold her down."
"What?"
"JUST DO IT!"
Crane looked at Tigress, and sighed; he knew if he didn't, she would do something rash, and probably get herself killed. Choosing the lesser of two evils, Crane struck a pressure point on her body, catching her as she slumped down.
"Brave, but very foolish," Vikki slowly walked her way towards Tai Lung, stepping lightly like a cat. "Your persona, I'm sure it has already awakened."
"No need," He crouched low on all four and stared at her with rage.
Vikki smiled and instantly, her long blue sash that surrounded her whipped at Tai Lung. He dodged, kicked her side forcefully and quickly pulled back to his original spot. She cried and glared at him.
"Don't ever make the first move," Tai Lung snarled.
"You son-of-a-bitch!" Vikki cursed. Her sash extended and grew larger and larger in size. It twirled around her body and at the edge of the two ends, two long broadswords flashed dangerously at him.
Tai Lung made the next move to slash at her as his claws drew closer, Vikki's sash sliced through the middle. Next thing she knew, Tai Lung grabbed her head as a standing ground to propel behind her and gave an incredibly painful hook kick.
Vikki staggered and turned to Tai Lung. "I thought you said don't ever make the first move."
Tai Lung crouched on all four again but his eyes not taking off her. "Yes, next lesson. Make the first move, and plan the next move. Never let your opponent do the next move," he emphasized.
Vikki smiled back. "Heh, once a warrior, always a warrior. Then its my move, I presume?" She viciously asked. Her blades twisted and turned violently and she pointed her paws towards Tai Lung.
Holy crap! he inwardly swore. She's going to turn me into an ex-snow leopard!
Byakko! he snapped. "Byakko!" Tai lung roared and a cool breeze wafted through the hall violently, blinding Tai Lung.
"Tetrakarn!"
A loud clang thundered the hall and the blades collided with something hard.
Leo hurried to the Jade Palace and finally, he saw the front entrance. Finally! Dang, those steps can be a real killer. Which idiot architect built those steps and planned on having the Jade Palace on top of a mountain?
Leo picked himself up and ran towards the source of the explosion but stopped in his tracks when he saw Tai Lung stuck in a corner.
"Tai Lung!' Leo screamed and quickly hugged him.
"GET OFF!" the snow leopard roared.
"I'm so glad you're safe. I'm so glad." Leo was hugging him so hard that his white and silver fur started to turn blue.
"Breathing…not…optional…" Tai Lung gasped.
"Oh!" he lets go. "Sorry, I'm just so happy you're alive. Where's Vikki?"
"She disappeared a few seconds ago. We're all trying to find her. She will pay for it." Tai Lung answered, grinding his teeth.
Leo had a worried look in his face and took out the scroll. "I have a plan and I need you."
"What is it?" he cocked his head.
Leo sighed heavily and muttered, "I hope this works. If this doesn't…" he shook his head and put the scroll on the ground.
"We release Kohryu and-"
"We what?!" Tia Lung said with wide eyes.
"Listen," Leo ignored him. "We release Kohryu and wish Vikki's persona gone."
"That's it?"
"Yes, that's it," Leo echoed.
"That's the craziest idea I've ever heard," Tai Lung argued.
"See here, brother," Leo snapped. "Vikki's most precious thing is her persona and power. That's all. No need to kill or shed a blood."
Tai Lung pondered a moment and played with the sand on the ground they were sitting on. He sighed and nodded, "All right, let's do this."
Leo nodded back and took Tai Lung's paws, placing them above the scroll. "Remember your persona, Temperance. Concentrate, fill your mind with the thoughts that you needed; your missing link, pieces, happy moments, everything. Just like when you summoned Byakko."
Tai Lung closed his eyes and did as he was told, Leo did the same.
There was absolute silence. No interruptions, no noise, no unusual sound, no nothing. Both of them were oblivious to their surroundings and paid no attention to one another. Finally, something happened; the scroll began to glow, faint golden shimmers of light illuminating the ground.
They both slowly opened their eyes. "Now, call out the name of your persona. I'll start first," Leo breathed in and exhaled, "Odin."
Odin slowly emerged from the deep sea of Leo's heart and stood beside him. "Your turn."
Tai Lung copied Leo's actions, and he grinned.
He's a fake!! Odin boomed in Leo's mind.
Eight knightly shield of darkness sprang behind Tai Lung and a long blade slowly emerged form his side.
"Hell!" Leo roared and punched Tai Lung's face and next, to his gut. He flew away a good 200 meters and slammed through a building wall. The body dropped with a sickening thud and a dark figure emerged from the body.
The fake snow leopard floated up from the ground with his legs and paws hanging lifelessly from their joints. His head slowly rose up and locked its eyes to Leo's. His eyes were black, dark and looked as if the eyes had sunk into its head. It grinned devilishly at Leo.
"Hello, Thanatos…" Snow's voice reverberated through the dark night sky.
--
Okay till here. Thanks to Awerewolf, corset-rebellion-follower and Lucius Ferus for your most supporting reviews. Apparently, I have one anonymous reader. I won't forget you. If you leave your e-mail, maybe I can reply back to you if there's anything on this story if you're interested. I'm kinda cautious with anonymous reader but I still accept them with open arms. Thanks alot, anonymous.