As Tigress saw the blade coming down at her heart she closed her eyes waiting for the blade to pierce through her body. For the first time she saw her life flash before her eyes. Right when the blade would've pierced her skin there was a loud thud and she saw something fly through the air and kick the assassin right in the face. Unlike her last attempt at a strike this one sent the figure flying through the air and smash into the ground. She quickly raised her head to see the person who'd saved her life (again!).
"Tigress take cover" Bryan said before pulling out his blade which looked like the assassin's blade but the blade was white with a gold stripe up the middle instead of red. This blade seemed to emit light instead of darkness.
Bryan didn't hesitate for a second, after the blade was out the two blades clashed and hit each other. Bryan and his enemy both trying to catch the opponents off guard and land a strike. They were too evenly matched.
Then the assassin jumped behind Bryan and readied for a slash, but before he could slice his back open Bryan spun and delivered a kick to its face. The figure was sent flying through the air and surprisingly landed on its feet.
"Don't think this is over! Soon all of china will fall!" the assassin shouted before running off. Leaving Bryan and Tigress still in the clearing, the sun had started to rise and tigress had bandaged her wound even though it still hurt a bunch.
"What was that?" she asked. "If I knew I would tell you, Tigress. We'll probably see it again though; no way something like that will just leave without revenge." Bryan replied. "I think we should head back to the jade palace so we can be back by nightfall." Wait, you're coming too?" Tigress asked.
"I could use a change of scenery personally." He replied.
So they started off not knowing that this was just the calling before the storm.
Meanwhile back at the Jade Palace…
Since Tigress had been caught in the explosion, things at the valley of peace had taken a turn for the depressing. The furious five and Po hadn't been able to spar and train like they used to, even fighting bandits had lost some of its fun.
"Why is this happening to us?" Po finally asked everyone else at dinner. "We aren't fighting like we used to, things have just gotten worse."
"Po, we've all been affected by Tigress' death but she wouldn't want us slipping just because of it." Viper said trying to make Po feel better.
"Viper, Shifu is getting the worst of it. He was like a father to her." Monkey said.
"I don't think he is" Viper replied.
At that moment Shifu burst into the room. Well burst isn't the right term. More like he walked in slowly with his ears down and mumbling about bandits heading towards them a few miles due east.
"I see your point" Viper said to Monkey before following the others out of the room.
Meanwhile Bryan and Tigress had been heading back towards the Jade palace. They had been about an hour away while Po and the others had gone to fight the bandits and Shifu had decided to come too saying beating something up may cheer him up a little bit. They were on their way back and were about 45 minutes away. (just so this next part will make more sense)
The weather had taken a turn for the worse; lightning was striking with no rain strangely. Shifu and the others had made it back to the jade palace and when they opened the door they saw something waiting for them inside the sparring ring.
"Who are you" Shifu said.
The figure then threw off its cloak revealing a body which would be similar to Bryans except it's body was made up of pure shadow and darkness with 2 black swords on it's back. Little did they know this was the same figure that attacked Tigress.
"My name is of no concern to you. Now tell me, where is that little kitten friend of yours?" It asked.
"She's dead, you have nothing to be here for now then." Mantis said rather harshly.
"Really then it's only fitting that you join her in this afterlife then." It said before smashing Crane into the wall.
"You've done it now!" They all shouted before charging the assassin in unison.
They were all using everything they had but it was simply dodged and countered as if they were nothing. Then the shadow jumped out of the horde and landed a kick to Po's belly before sending a kick to viper sending them both flying. But Po bounced back(literally) before it could attack again sending it stumbling back a little before being attacked by Shifu and Mantis. The shadow still managed to withstand everything they could dish out.
Meanwhile, Tigress and Bryan were heading back to the Jade palace as fast as they could.
"Wait Tigress, look." Bryan said pointing at the Jade palace. They both noticed the warriors fighting a shadow of some sort.
"Bryan speed it up! We have to get there. We both know what that is!" Tigress shouted before they both sped off.
Back at the Jade Palace the rest of the furious five had been knocked down by the shadow. Po and Shifu were still standing but they were severely hurt after being cut by the swords. They still kept fighting though.
Soon even Shifu couldn't fight anymore and Po was only standing by a small shred of energy.
"Who are you? Who are you that can defeat us so easily? I need to know!" Po said before dropping to one knee.
"Fine" The shadow said before resheathing it's swords. "My name is Shadow Bryan, I am what you may call a monster, demon, and destroyer. I am pure evil, perfect, the ultimate power in the universe. None are more powerful than me. And that's what I came to prove." He said before kicking Po in the face sending him into almost becoming unconscious.
Shadow Bryan then unsheathed his swords again and pointing them at Po, Shifu, and the rest of the five "Goodbye, futile five" he said pulling back his swords ready to end their lives.
'Yes' he thought 'I've done it! Now to finish the job and move on!'
"HEY" a voice shouted stopping Shadow Bryan in mid slash. Looking up he saw a pissed off Bryan and an especially furious Tigress standing on a nearby cliff. They jumped down landing about 15 feet in front of Shadow Bryan.
"TIGRESS! YOU"RE ALIVE!" everyone else shouted looking at her and Bryan.
"You again" Shadow Bryan said looking at the swordsman. "Can't you just get off my back? Whatever, I wasted too much time and energy with these losers to face you two. Next time you're fates are sealed!" He shouted disappearing again as quickly as he came.
"Tigress?" Shifu asked. "Is it really you?"
"Obviously, how many other Tigers come here?" She replied.
"What happened though?" Po asked.
"I'll explain that" Bryan stated.
So Bryan was forced to explain everything that happened. After that he got the other some medical attention saying that it was necessary after the beating they took. Bryan had been invited to stay at the Jade Palace and learn Kung Fu due to Crane suggesting it and Shifu and Tigress backing it up even though Bryan said he didn't deserve it they persuaded him to stay anyway. Mantis joked that they wanted Bryan for protection and that they were scared which resulted in Tigress smashing mantis over the head with a heavy item she found laying around multiple times (That heavy item being Po). Then they all went up to the Jade palace.
Meanwhile in the forest…
"Curse that Bryan! He always shows up at the exact time I don't want him to show up! How can I destroy him and the five with them together all the time?" Shadow Bryan said to himself while walking through the forest.
"I may be able to help you" a voice said nearby. Shadow Bryan turned and saw some figures standing next to a tree. "We are going to search for some needed supplies, but our leader always needs an extra helper. He will rule over china. He accepted me, and you seem special."
"If he's willing to accept me I will work with him, but never under him."
"You've got a deal." A voice said behind him.
"Boss! Why are you…"
"That is none of your concern!" The figure snapped at his minion. "I am always accepting warriors and leaders to help me with my goal of conquering china." He said.
"If you are willing what may I call you?" Shadow Bryan said to the figure as it stepped out into the light.
"Shen, Lord Shen." He said while stepping out revealing throwing knives, metal talons and a sword, and a smirk across his beak.