A Better World?
Chapter 6 - He Flew to the Sun on Wings Made out of Wax
2 Years after Crane and Mantis pledged to defeat The Dragon Warrior
A full moon shone in the sky, apart from the lanterns the rhino guards were carrying it was the only light source.
Mantis and Crane hid in the shadows by the Jade Palace waiting for the patrol to move on.
In the 2 years since that day things had only gotten worse, Po had taken out every single threat to peace in the land. They were taken into the Jade Palace and never seen again.
Crane and Mantis had tried to repel Po and his army whenever they could but with just the two of them it wasn't enough and they often had to be content with small victories.
The rumor that Crane and Mantis were investigating was that Po apparently possessed a weapon which could amplify his fighting strength and chi.
Mantis hopped on Crane's shoulder, "So, do you think this is a bit of a long shot, it could be a trap".
Crane just scowled at him "Mantis, do you value your life?".
Mantis looked quizzically at him, "Well yeah..of course".
Crane looked back towards the entrance but kept the venom in his voice, "Then stop with the idle chit-chat".
"Alright then...Tigress", Mantis muttered bitterly.
Crane ignored him, he spotted a gap in the patrol "OK, move!".
They darted across the courtyard barely missing the gaze of the guards.
They dived behind a nearby wall.
"That was too close" thought Crane, "Nearly there, if we can just confront Po and try to take out the weapon, then we've won...this sounds very similar to when Po beat Shen in that firework factory of his" . Crane sighed sadly at that thought.
Crane was snapped out of his thought by a guard walking towards their hiding spot.
"Mantis!" Crane muttered, "Take him out, and hide the evidence".
Mantis nodded and leaped out from the hiding spot, a couple of grunts were heard and then Mantis returned dragging the body.
"Man you're lucky we don't go in for Po's methods" Mantis grumbled while carrying him.
They dumped the guard where they were hidden and moved further into the compound.
After a while they finally reached the Hall of Heroes which Po had made his headquarters.
Crane cautiously opened the door which creaked loudly, "Keep a sharp eye out Mantis".
Mantis nodded silently, they moved about the hall looking for the objective. The hall was pretty much the same since Po had taken the sword from it.
"It's too quiet, and why is it deserted...wait a minu-" before Crane could finish his thought he was struck in the face by a chain hammer, he sailed through the air and crashed into the wall.
"CRANE!" shouted Mantis, "This is bad, where did that come from", his thought was answered by the almost demonic presence of Po who was swinging the hammer almost casually.
Po merely glanced at him before launching the hammer at Mantis and taking him out as well.
"I knew you morons would fall for something as simple as that, I would of as well when I younger and more naive".
Po raised his voice "Restrain them", as if out of nowhere Monkey and Viper appeared out of nowhere with some of the rhino guards grabbed Crane and Mantis and restrained them.
Po smirked evilly and looked Crane in the eye, "After two years I would've thought that you two would actually have got somewhere, but your weak and you lack the courage to do what is necessary".
Po walked over to the Moon Pool and gazed into it, "But since you were so generous in your stupidity I'll tell you why I needed you".
Before he could start Crane tried to reason with him, "Po, I know you're still hurting about Tigress's death, we all are, just stop this before you undo all of the good you inspired".
At the mention of Tigress's name Po turned angrily on him.
"Don't mention her name, you aren't worthy to".
Crane sighed "If she was still alive Po, this would've killed her".
Viper gasped and looked at Po to see what Crane's words had done to him.
Po stared at Crane for a moment before looking at Viper and Monkey , "Take Mantis out of here and leave me alone with Crane".
Viper nodded and gestured towards to guards.
Mantis tried to fight them off, he caught Crane's eye and Crane gave him a knowing nod, Mantis went peacefully.
"I hope you know what you're doing Crane...just be safe buddy I can't lose you as well", he gazed one last time at Crane not knowing whether it was the last time he would ever see him alive.
Po waited until the door closed, he then launched himself at Crane and held him aloft by the throat.
"Because of your comment you'll be the first one I test it on".
Po dropped him on the ground, Crane nursed his throat "I can already feel a bruise forming, Po that wasn't a smart move leaving me alone with you, I'll just wait for my chance to strike".
Po reached into his pocket and pulled out a small red stone that gave off a otherworldly glow.
Crane couldn't tear his eyes away from it, it spoke volumes of pain, beauty, death and betrayal.
Crane finally asked "What is that?".
Po explained "It is the salvation of China, Shifu told me long ago of a powerful object that could amplify chi" he gestured towards it "This is it".
Crane finally tore his eyes away from it and looked at Po.
"How did you make it?", Crane subtly started to shift into a fighting stance.
Po laughed "Through sacrifice".
Crane was horrified "You sacrificed people to make that?".
"Get off your high horse Crane, the people should be glad to serve me in the afterlife", Po seemed to contemplate something "I'm going to see whether I can use this to destroy the real threat to peace and then I'm going to visit other worlds with this and better those too".
Crane was almost ready to attack "And what would the real threat to peace be?".
Po pointed the stone at him and started to build his chi "YOU!" he shouted.
Crane lept at him confidant in his victory, however his body started to disintegrate before his very eyes.
When the dust had cleared, Po couldn't see Crane anymore.
"That didn't kill him, he distracted me, I must of merely sent him somewhere, I need to find him and finish him off".
Po looked at his locket sadly , "I've failed you Tigress, I let him get away".
xxxxx
Crane opened his eyes "Ohhh, my head is killing me...huh where am I?".
He stood up and looked around to find himself in a very familiar but younger looking courtyard.
He sensed a presence behind him and got into a fighting stance.
A person Crane had never expected to see again was standing before him possibly looking more confused then he did.
"Tigress?".