Author's Note: Another month, another chapter am I right? Heh. Okay, all joking aside, this time I didn't have any issues, this was just a long chapter. And also a massive doozy to write. And I mean it. This chapter is INTENSE. So much so that I'll have to put a neat little thing here. *ahem*

TRIGGER WARNING: Blood, Gore, A single swear word.

Now don't get me wrong, it isn't M rated levels of gore (or at least I don't think so, if so then I'll happily change the rating, just let me know if it needs to be changed) On top of that, something happens in this chapter will probably make a few of you hate me. If it does, then good. Hate fuels me :) Jokes aside, let's get on with it.

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN KFP (They probably would never animate a scene like this, lets be honest.)

Enjoy... if you can.

Unleashing the Monster

"I must say, dragon warrior. I am impressed." Zhongcheng's smirk brings a collective scowl from the warrior couple. "Somehow, you've managed to become even more powerful than your what your legends say."

Remaining on guard, Po fires back, "And somehow you're more evil than your legends say!"

The wolf commander scoffs at the dragon warrior's angered rebuttal, "Legends from Zhonglei, no doubt. I wouldn't put so much stock in a coward's words if I were you." This brings out a growl from Tigress.

"Who are you to speak of cowardice when you have done nothing but hide and kill countless innocent people?" Both warriors dart their eyes to the crimson eye on his shoulder, "When you'll wilfully serve one even after his demise?"

Dark blue eyes banish their smug expression, replacing it with a corrosive rage. "And how exactly do you believe that? Because of his weapons? Because he chose to be ruthless? Don't you dare lecture me when you will happily hide behind your 'honour', because you're too gutless to do what must be done." He speaks with a quiet, yet powerful snarl, fuelled by years upon years of experience.

"Showing mercy doesn't make you weak, Zhongcheng." The dragon warrior's voice grows in fury at the wolf's words whilst Tigress' scowl only deepens, her mind recalling the horrific screams piercing from the city's hospital. To think this one wolf had caused so much suffering, and he practically revels in it.

Finally unfolding his arms, the wolf commander responds, "You're right, it doesn't make you weak." Clenching his fists, he gets into his fighting stance. "It gives your enemy another chance to kill you." His smirk returns as he stares down his enemies, the warrior couple remaining cautious as they prepare to fight. "And believe me, you will have none."

They stare each other down for a few precious moments until Po and Tigress burst forward, rushing straight at the wolf as he pulls out a metallic ball from behind him and chucks it at his feet. Both warriors push through as a thick cloud of smoke completely covers the commander, the two aiming their combined attack at where they just saw the wolf. Their powerful strike manages to completely evaporate this grey shroud, but Zhongcheng is nowhere to be seen. Immediately, they put their backs against each other, cautious of where the wolf has gone. That is, until a familiar whisper beckons the dragon warrior's eye downwards. "He's under us." He relays to his tiger, but before the two can act on this information, another smoke bomb is hurled up and explodes, engulfing the warrior couple in its suffocating mist.

Upon hearing its detonation, the wolf commander climbs back up from under the catwalk using his claws and, while holding his breath, sends a roundhouse kick into the smoke. To his surprise, the dragon warrior catches his foot in one paw as Tigress banishes the smoke by punching her chi-infused fists together. "No more tricks, Zhongcheng!" Po yells before punching him in the gut with his free arm and pushing him towards the tiger master, who follows up with triple kick combo that sends the commander a fair distance.

"Interesting." The wolf muses to himself, recovering from their attacks just as the warrior couple continue their offensive. They trade blows, the commander managing to keep up with the two most skilled warriors in China. Dirty tactics aside, both Po and Tigress can't help but admit that he has been trained well. After parrying two of their attacks, Zhongcheng kicks Tigress to the side and aims a palm strike at Po's chest only to be parried mid-recovery. It's as if he doesn't even need to see the wolf's attack to react to it. Of course. As his mind comes to a realisation, Tigress kicks the wolf back right as her panda bats away his paw. Immediately afterwards, the dragon warrior tries to add a chi-infused punch, but the commander is able to dodge his attack in the nick of time. "So, this is that so called 'inner peace.'" They trade blows once more, "I see that those tales of reflecting cannons weren't mere hyperbole."

Aiming a wide sweep at their legs, Zhongcheng manages to knock Po off his feet whilst Tigress jumps over his attack and connects a high kick directly to the wolf's temple. His back thuds onto the catwalk as the dragon warrior kicks up with ease, "Oh, you bet they weren't. And this time, I'm not the only one who can do it." His tiger allows a hint of pride to shine through her otherwise stern face as he runs into a roll, hoping to connect a low kick.

Recovering with haste, the commander leaps over his rolling opponent and feigns a kick aimed for the tiger master's head. She blocks for an instant before realising his play and attacking him once he lands. Ducking her first strike, he manages to connect three punches to her kidneys, but it isn't enough to stagger her. Block after block, hit after hit flies between the two as Po runs up behind them and aims a kick at the back of his head. Unfortunately for the panda, Zhongcheng notices his approach and ducks under it, his elbow targeted below the belt.

Wham! Jade eyes practically pop out of their sockets as Po clutches his aching tenders, the wolf smirking at his pained expression before blocking a black and orange foot aimed at his jaw. Pushing her leg up, he rolls under Tigress and yanks her tail as he gets up, inviting a pained growl from her. She tries to elbow him but is easily blocked before he headbutts the back of her head and knees her in the spine. Another growl slipping out of her grit teeth, Tigress unsheathes her claws on her free paw and digs it into his side, wrenching out an agonising howl from the wolf. This loosens his grip enough to let her wrestle her other arm free and grab him in a headlock from behind. She tosses him over to Po, who has recovered enough to attempt a stomp on the downed wolf. Rolling to the side, Zhongcheng manages to recover fast enough to block both warriors' follow up attacks and force them back with a wide spin kick. All three combatants pant out, exhaustion already eating away at their bodies as they prepare to clash again. "It will take more than a mere technique to stop us. Far more than you are willing to do."

At the commander's snarling voice, the warrior couple trade blows with him once more, their tired bodies still pushing in the name of the emperor. In the name of his and their home. As they fight on, a green blur darts around the frantic bodies of Zhongcheng's soldiers. It takes down a number of them, forcing pieces of cannons out of their grasp, until Monkey hits it away and Crane shoots to its flailing form with his talons outstretched. Mantis comes skidding to a halt and sends a chi-infused kick straight to his pursuers leg.

Bam!

Though he is forced back, the avian soldier manages to halt himself with his wings, landing with little issue. Hazel irises stare down at the hollow, sickening blue eyes of his brainwashed friends, mortified at their state. Only now does he understand how Monkey felt seeing him under Kai's control. As those wolves and gorillas he had taken down rise back up, the insect master brushes aside his grievance. Even one cannon coming out of this warehouse is one cannon too many. He hardens his stance, with Crane and Monkey following suit. Within seconds, he rushes to them as they do the same, readying his claws to attack until his best friend's voice catches him off-guard. "You can send your troops all you like, Zhongcheng! I won't stop until you pay!"

What? This befuddled thought costs him as his lowered guard allows Monkey to land a powerful punch directly to his face. Crane flies after his hurtling body, hovering just above him as he catches up and smacks him to the floor with his wing. Despite his body's aching groans, Mantis' thoughts continue to run wild. Zhongcheng? Does he think…? Suspicion forming in his head, the insect master hops away as Crane tries to stomp on him, retaliating with a leaping kick to his side that knocks the bird off his talons.

Not long after this, Monkey aims a flying kick at his best friend, who manages to narrowly dodge it. Yet the langur's attack is far from over. He throws punch after punch, kick after kick at Mantis in a wild rage, but he manages to dodge each hit due to his natural speed. "You killed my master! You tortured my best friend!"

Hazel eyes widen at his vengeful voice, his suspicion confirmed right in front of him. "Monkey, I'm right here!" He tries to reach out after parrying another frantic fist, "Zhongcheng is controlling you! You have to snap out of it!" It is of little use as the langur master continues attacking with no sign of stopping.

"You won't live long enough to see a prison cell! No, you will pay for every single person you've hurt here and now!" To Mantis' surprise, his strikes speed up to the point where he has little choice but to block against him. Yet even this desperate defence doesn't stop the langur soldier's onslaught, his overwhelming barrage managing to break through and hit him in the face and torso.

Before he can connect another punch, Crane shoots past him and pins Mantis to the floor with his talons. "Why!? Why won't you stop!?" Confusion fills the insect's face until he notices the pleading expression contorting the avian soldier's face, tears glistening in his hollow sclera as they betray his fear. "Why can't you just leave me be!? There's nothing to fight for anymore, yet you keep coming back! Why!?" His timbre the very embodiment of suffering, Crane stomps down on Mantis' body, wrenching out a torturous yell from him. As much as he doesn't want to hurt his friend, he is left with little choice but to channel chi into his claws and thrust them forward just as he lifts his foot up again.

Boom!

Once again sent flying upwards, the brainwashed bird halts his ascent with his wings whilst Monkey readies himself in a fighting stance. With heavy breaths punching out of his lungs, Mantis pushes himself up onto his feet and into his stance whilst his friends look on without even a sweat draining their bodies of energy. Though he is unsure of how long he can last against both of them like this, he does know that retreating will only allow Zhongcheng to obtain a dangerous advantage. Something they can't afford to give him. Hazel irises soften at the sight of his friends. If only he didn't have to hurt them to do the right thing. We'll free you from him, guys. I promise.

A silent pledge is made from the depths of his soul as he readies himself for the reluctant battle, the insect master praying for some kind of miracle to happen. Three sisters watch on as both battles commence, relishing in the chaos enveloping the warehouse. With a massive smile wrapping itself around Wing Wu's face, she practically salivates at the chance at the chance to take down the esteemed dragon warrior and master Tigress. Her younger sister indulges in the same mischievous anticipation, twirling her bladed wheels in her paws as Su Wu stares at their fight with a hardened focus.

Her singular yellow eye waits for something within the two-on-one fight. Something that Zhongcheng had been adamant about on their way here. "I'm getting sick of this. We should strike now!" Rolling her eyes at Wing's impatience, Su Wu holds her arm out in front of her.

"Easy, sister. There's no need to throw away the element of surprise just yet." She can feel her younger sister's glare beaming down on her, but her measured timbre remains. "We'll get our chance as long as we keep Zhongcheng's instructions in mind."

Desptite the eldest sister's confidence, doubt crosses Wan's face, "You sure? I mean, he is clever, but I don't think he could actually plan out all of this."

"He hasn't. He just told me to isolate one of the masters in case he gets overwhelmed."

An incredulous look comes across Wing's countenance, "And I thought Wan was the only one serving him on her knees." Her just brings an irritated look from her younger sister whilst Su Wu lets out a soft chuckle.

"Don't be ridiculous. He's a commander that knows how to plan ahead." As Zhongcheng pushes the two warriors away from him for a moment, his eyes latch onto Su Wu's for a split second. Long enough to gain the attention of all three of them. "Now keep quiet and be ready."

As the white wolf continues trading blows with his opponents, Wan leans her head over to Su-Wu. "So, which one are we going for?" They keep their eyes trained on him as a dark blue glow envelopes his body.

"Depends on what he does. If he knocks away the dragon warrior, then we group up on master Tigress. But if he knocks her away…" Before the eldest sister can finish her explanation, Zhongcheng blocks a double punch from Po and connects a chop to his jugular. As the panda coughs his lungs out, Tigress attempts a punch kick combo but is blocked and parried by the wolf, who responds by elbowing her in the jaw. This spins her around, allowing him to land a chi kick right on her spine.

Boom! A thunderous explosion shakes the catwalk once more as the tiger master is sent flying down the other side of the catwalk, a deep blue ring emanating from the point of impact. Seeing their signal, the Wu-sisters share a devious grin before rushing over towards the catwalk, their footsteps silent amidst the warehouse's catatonic soundscape.

Unbeknownst to them, hazel eyes catch a glimpse of the snow leopards, but the insect master is unable to reach them with Monkey and Crane still fighting him. "Po!" He screams out before swiftly dodging strikes from both of his brainwashed friends, but the dragon warrior is unable to hear him. Not another word can come out of his mouth as his battle resumes, neither Crane nor Monkey seeming to tire as much as he is.

Managing to stop his coughing fit, Po goes back into his inner peace stance as he watches Tigress flop onto the catwalk. A determined scowl crosses his face as she struggles to get up, her paw shakily clutching at her aching back. His jade eyes blaze in a glare that pierces into Zhongcheng's eyes, bringing a wicked smirk to the wolf's lips as he gets into his own stance again. "What's wrong? Are your fears closer than you realise?"

Not a word is given in response, only a battle grunt is shouted out as the dragon warrior charges towards him. Maintaining a defensive stance, the commander blocks each punch he throws at him before responding with his own barrage of fists. Each and every strike of his is parried by the dragon warrior, his movements maintaining a near perfect timing. To think that this blundering panda can keep such a perfect form, that he can be so focused. No, he cannot be underestimated. Not with his feats. After parrying the last strike in his barrage, Po connects a palm strike to the wolf's side, opening him up to a triple punch combo to the chest.

Pushing him back slightly, the panda master rolls forward and tries to hit him with a belly thrust only for the wolf to sidestep him and connect a chi punch to his liver. Bam! Wincing at the impact, Po takes several steps back. As he leans back on the railing, Zhoncheng's eyes pulse with chi, an insidious intent hidden within them. He thrusts his paw forward, index finger aimed at the panda's forehead. But to his surprise, Po catches him by the wrist before he can make contact. Jade eyes dart between his outstretched paw and the wolf, realisation flowing within as his foe throws a punch at him with his free paw. Venom embeds itself into Po's expression as he catches Zhongcheng's other paw and holds him in place, "So, that's how you've been getting into our heads."

His grizzly voice catches the commander off-guard, lacking even a trace of the usually light-hearted panda he had read so much about. Despite this side of the dragon warrior rearing its head for the first time, he maintains his wicked smile. "Well, you're more perceptive than you seem, panda."

A flash of the fallen lord Shen enters Po's mind as Zhongcheng spits out this last word, reminding him of the commander's sick worship. Why? This question had burrowed into his mind the moment he had seen that crimson insignia again. Now, its time he found out. Kicking the wolf back, the two settle into their stances again as they stare each other down. "I know what you've gone through." This gains a raised eyebrow from the commander, "I've heard the stories. I know you've suffered a lot… but… Why would you do all of this? Why would you team up with Shen?" Though he is almost certain he won't answer this question, Po asks regardless. If he won't get a proper answer, at least he'll buy some time for Tigress to get back in the fight.

Dark blue eyes ruminate for a moment, wondering both the intention and the sincerity of the panda's questions. Those thoughts soon end as he notices the tails of the Wu-sisters rushing underneath them. While he gives no visible reaction, a decision is made in his mind. This is the perfect chance for them to get into place. "You're right, dragon warrior. I had suffered a lot. I had experienced something truly hellish. But… I understood a lot from that hell." Befuddlement crosses Po's eyes until a tiny whisper emanates from the back of his mind, "Why we didn't dare to fight back despite outnumbering our captors. Why the sound of a whip brought shivers up our spine when the darkness of a manky cave couldn't. Fear."

Jade eyes narrow at this as the whispers grow louder, the panda hoping deep down that he couldn't be so cruel. That there is some regret in his heart. But what the wolf says next eliminates that possibility. "It's all about fear. It controls us, it makes us who we are. And if you control fear itself, then the entire world becomes yours. Shen understood this and I had hoped we could attain this together. A populace of slaves, all ours to control. But I suppose now, they'll all be mine."

Horror fills Po's face as he sees disgust plague Tigress, who still struggles to stand. There was rage in his word. Pain. And worst of all… joy. He was happy to that. Not a single ounce of guilt or remorse. The panda's horror corrodes into anger. Anger that silences the whisper in his head. Anger that makes his heart burn in a way it never has before. "You… you heartless… bastard!" Shocking both Zhongcheng and Tigress with his thunderous growl, he continues, "You were a slave once, you were put through the same thing. Yet, you'll happily make them suffer too!?" The smile that adorns the wolf's face punches a hole into Po's soul. A smile born from hate, born from evil.

"Yes, life hasn't been kind to me. It seems that ever since I was born the fates have conspired against me." Despite the hurt that so clearly lathers his voice, any sympathy the dragon warrior could have felt has been expelled by the loathing embedded deep in the wolf's soul. Loathing that the wolf doesn't bother to hide as his smile contorts into a menacing scowl, "But I've always fought back, I've always tried to take my life back into my own hands. This time, I will get what I have always deserved." A slight tremor ripples through his right paw as he places it on his shoulder guard, hovering it over Shen's crimson insignia. "And in the process, I will honour my lord, by bringing your life to an end." His ears twitch at the demonic snarl ripping through Tigress' throat as she finally picks herself up, slightly hunched over in pain. Looking downwards, his eyes pick out a single claw hooking over the edge of the catwalk. Just in time. The wrath once visible on his face fades in its entirety, now replaced by a grin demented enough to send shivers up Po's spine. "But not before you suffer first." His timbre bathing in a vicious excitement, Zhongcheng stomps his foot down.

Bam!

Before either Po or Tigress can even think of advancing on the commander, all three Wu-sisters leap up onto the catwalk at once and overwhelm the dragon warrior immediately, the force of the three leopards throwing him over the railing. As he falls to the floor below, the Wu-sisters leap after him with the commander turning back to see a clearly exhausted Tigress sprinting on all-fours. "Po!" She tries to leap past him, but he manages to grab her leg and tail mid-air before slamming her onto the opposite railing back-first.

As her spine collides with the metal railing, an agonising yell is forced out of her, all her nerve endings flaring at the hideous pain. In spite of her injury, she manages to roll away from the wolf's follow up kick. They clash again, the tiger master desperately trying to get down to help Po with the wolf stopping each attempt she makes.

Whilst this happens, the dragon warrior crashes to the floor with the three leopards shooting right at him with their wheeled blades at the ready. As they try to slice at him, he dodges each of their strikes and forces them all back with a wide spin kick, gaining enough space to process what's going on. How could he not feel their approach? How was he able to silence the universe's voice? How is that even possible? These questions are soon thrown away as his tiger's grievous scream pierces through the warehouse's cacophony of sounds and into his ears, flaring up his already determined countenance. With a fierce shout, he charges forward, dodging and countering each of the Wu-sister's attacks with acute precision. Yet, they keep attacking, with even a few wolves and gorillas dropping their cannons and assisting with their own weapons. Unfortunately for the soldiers, he manages to bat them aside with ease whilst he pushes back the three leopards far enough to stop their offensive. One last tall gorilla tries to smack him with an overhead swing of his club, but Po dodges out of the way and punches him in the stomach before climbing onto his shoulders to jump up to the catwalk. However, before his fingers can even graze the wooden platform, two hooves grab him by his ankles and slam him onto the ground face-first.

Wham!

Punching out a hoarse groan from the panda, his captor pulls him up from the ground by his feet and holds him up to his face. As the broken and bloodied face of Gongjiang glares at him with vengeful eyes, Po responds with a nervous smile. "Um… hi."

"Hi." With a furious scowl beaten onto his face, the bison growls back. Only a fraction of his teeth remain in his mouth, a portion of them either broken or shattered.

Po subconsciously winces at the rows of bloodied gums in his mouth. Guess he and Tigress did more damage than he thought. Gulping at Gongjiang's unmoving face, he feels the need to ask a fairly obvious question. "So are you gonna…"

"Yes." With this hideous growl, the bison general lets go of his ankles and kicks him in the stomach, forcing the dragon warrior to the ground.

Right as he manages to recover from this, the Wu-sisters leaps over Gongjiang and land around Po, leaving him completely surrounded. He darts his eyes between the four of them and takes a deep breath. I'm coming, Tigress. Just hang on. This resolute plea echoing through his expression, he engages with his opponents, trying his hardest to take them down quickly.

On her own now, Tigress keeps trying to regain her ground, but it is no use. Her body is simply too exhausted to keep up with Zhongcheng who manages to land several kicks to her side. Deflecting a double punch to his side, she shoves him back and enters her inner peace stance only for the wolf to break through it instantly with a spin kick to her face.

The force of his attack thrusts her torso against the railing, forcing her to cough out blood as her aching muscles and bruised flesh screams at her to rest. Hopelessness clutches at her heart, her mind realising that she won't be able to fight for much longer. Amber irises stare outward, settling on the battle between Crane, Monkey and Mantis. Shame folds her ears against her skull, guilt suffocating her eyes as she realises how much she has failed her family.

Seeing the direction of the tiger master's desolate eyes, a sadistic grin puppeteers Zhongcheng's lips. Something truly heartless piecing itself together in his mind. "Such a shame what happened to your friends." Already noticing her paws begin to clutch at the railing, his taunting voice continues to assault her ears. "Such a shame that you're powerless to help them." Her growl sears the air like magma as she rushes to attack him. With each punch and kick she throws at him; the wolf's smile only grows in its sadistic glee. "Which makes me wonder…" Her kung fu yells each hide a snarl within them as her punches become sloppy, feverish. Wild. Deep down that hopelessness rots into something far worse, something primal. Batting away her right arm, Zhongcheng blocks her left arm and holds it in an arm lock. "Where has your power gone?"

Nuba flashes in his place for a split-second, forcing Tigress to kick him away as she wrenches her paw out of his grasp. What… what is…? Her heart pounds away at a frightening pace as she feels her mind begin to burn, memories and thoughts igniting as they collide with one another. Nightmarish screams and fires lighting the valley of peace. Amethyst orbs conjoined by dark blue. Families, both old and new, disappearing before her very eyes. She clutches her head as her paranoia begins to take hold, beckoning the beast forth in spite of her resistance.

"Aagh!"

Her head snaps around at the sound of Po's pained scream, pupils slowly consuming her eyes in an inescapable void of terror blending into a manic rage. Her breaths punch themselves out of her throat, the poor tiger questioning if her panda's scream is real or if that beast is playing tricks on her. "Is this the fate you'll allow your dear panda to be subjected to?" It was real. Oh Gods, it was real. "We both know what strength lies within you. We both know what you can really do."

Don't listen to him. Don't listen to-

"Damnit, Crane! Monkey! Listen to- augh!" Stumbling over to the railing, she looks over to see Mantis being brutalised by their brainwashed comrades. Even from this distance she can see his bruises, his exhaustion. He won't last long. None of them will last longer at this rate.

Unless…

"Time is running out, master Tigress. Your friends won't be able to hold them off forever. You know what you have to do." As the sadistic wolf continues to goad her, Tigress' eyes continue staring at Mantis being beaten down as Po's pained screams and grunts stab into her ears.

Help me! Please!

Nuba's genocide sets her mind ablaze once more, phantom pleas and shrieks plaguing the chaos of the warehouse as they torment her heart.

You maniac!

Stay away! Stay away!

Amber irises begin to dwindle under the weight of the beast's obsidian void. Tears are crushed out of her eye sockets, smearing her fur in a scalding mix of agony and wrath. No! Not again! Not again!

Seeing the tiger master's mind collapsing before him, the insidious commander once again tempts the monster escaping the confines of her mind. "Kill me. Butcher me. Rip me to shreds. Give in. Or you know what will happen next."

Once again, the now dead Zhanshi members pollute her mind, their forms now replaced with the bodies of her family. Of Po, Shifu, Viper, Mantis, Crane, Monkey, all drenched in fires she had long thought extinguished. All of these nightmares were going to become real.

Kill.

Her paws begin to shake as her claws unsheathe themselves, obsidian eyes giving a deathly glare at the wolf. An elder panda and tiger are reflected in their vengeful surface. A future full of hope, full of love, that he threatens to snuff out. Somehow, Zhongcheng's evil grin grows wider. "Your home will fall. Your family will become my slaves. Your dragon warrior's corpse will be paraded around China for all to see! I'll make sure you see it all, knowing that you could've prevented it!"

Kill.

Dark blue melds into amethyst, Zhongcheng's pale fur distorting itself with the wretched Nuba's. The monster lets out a hideous snarl as the entire world bleeds into a blinding crimson, save for its tormentor.

Kill.

"Raaaagh!" Its deafening roar makes the very earth quake in its unrelenting fury, threatening to make the warehouse collapse in on itself as it leaps towards Zhongcheng, claws unsheathed. With its very first swipe, blood is drawn from his face, the sadistic wolf not expecting its sudden swiftness as its claw slashes his cheek. In spite of this he manages to retain his composure as the beast forces him on the defensive. Each slash of its claws resonates with a grating clang as they clash against the commander's pitch-black armour. But, unfortunately for him, one swipe manages to cut into his arm. Then another cuts into his leg. Then another. Then another. Regardless of his skill, the monster's wild attacks are too frenetic, too unpredictable for him to stay on top of.

Unable to take anymore of its attacks, Zhongcheng tries to punch back only for Bao Gu's monster to swerve its head and bite his paw, forcing out a pained scream from him. He kicks it away and backs up the catwalk as blood cascades down his paw only for the barbaric tiger to catch up immediately and recommence its ferocious offensive.

As its rabid snarls pierce through the warehouse's frenzied soundscape, Po manages to stand his ground against all four of his opponents. Despite the deep gash carved into his side, he still dodges the Wu-sisters' bladed wheels and guards Gongjiang's powerful punches, ignoring his bones shuddering under the bison's ludicrous strength. In the midst of his forced defence, the primal growls of his tiger stab into his ears, making his heart quake in despair. "Tigress!" Powerful his scream may be, it isn't enough to reach her. Though he knows it, his scream still bursts out of him. Desperation invading his eyes, the dragon warrior goes into his inner peace stance in spite of his tired body and goes on the offensive.

His instincts guiding him, Po deflects the Wu-sisters' blades and pushes all three leopards back with a combination of palm strikes and punches. Seeing his renewed vigour, the bison general moves to flank him and attacks him from behind but Po spins around and parries it in between his own attacks. Thrusting his chi-powered foot at Gongjiang's chest, the panda master's kick connects with an explosive shockwave but only staggers him for a few moments. Enough time for the Wu-sisters to recover and get back into the fight.

The four of them now out from under the catwalk, their battle continues though Po's eyes are focused on the beatdown happening above. Horror pulses into his jade irises, his tiger's savage form forcing involuntary tremors into his spine as he sees her fangs coated in blood, her claws craving for more, her blackened eyes completely void of his tiger's kindness. Instead, an overwhelming hysteria takes its place. It's Xiwang all over again. Damnit! I've gotta get up there! Though he tries to formulate a plan, the persistent attacks of Gongjiang and the Wu-sisters keeps him from focusing.

As this fight goes on, the monster continues its merciless assault on Zhongcheng, its claws swinging with an intense, unstoppable rage. Though it misses his vital parts, the monster has still left a trail of claw marks across his legs and unprotected parts of his arms and chest. The pungent stench of his oozing blood only further tempts the ravenous tiger's bloodlust, painting its crimson sight an even darker shade. With its attacks growing even more feverish, the wolf gives a malicious smile in spite of his weakening body. "So, this is what you've been hiding?" As soon as his putrid mouth speaks again, the monster aims its claws at his face. Luckily, he blocks it in time with his metal gauntlets.

Clang!

Both the wolf and the beast grimace at the impact of its claws, but that doesn't stop its wrathful glare from piercing into the commander's eyes. Yet, these dark blue orbs remain unmoving in their maliciousness, unwavering in their sadistic satisfaction. "But why? Why would you suppress your true self? Why hold in what you-

Clang!

Before he can finish, he is forced to block another one of the monster's claw strikes with his gauntlets. Once again, Zhongcheng is forced on the defensive, its powerful attacks pushing him further and further back. Safe to say, he had underestimated just how strong the tiger could be, how unpredictable the beast could be in its ferocity. But he has to hold on for a little longer. That tiger has given him everything he needs, now it is just a matter of timing. Blocking as many of the beast's offense as he can, he moves to throw out a double punch combo only to have both of his fists evaded immediately. In retaliation, the monstrous tiger aims a spinning double claw swipe at his feet, forcing the wolf to jump over it. However, before he can react, it delivers a back kick at the end of its spin, hitting him square in the chest as he jumps.

Wham!

His back smashes against the wall, punching a cloud of air out of his lungs before he slides down it. He tries to get up but the beast charges forward, tackling him back onto the wall with its shoulder.

Slam!

Profuse coughs pound out of Zhongcheng's throat as the rock wall cracks under the power of the barbaric tiger's charge. Without letting him even a second to recover, it pushes his head and slashes at his revealed neck. However, Zhongcheng catches its wrist just before its claws can puncture his throat. Heavy breaths expand his throat ever closer to its sharp claws, making goosebumps sprint along his skin. Yet his smile doesn't fade, his dark blue irises remain steadfast, fearless. The monster can barely tell, but it seems like his eyes let out a weak glow. "I see now." Its scowl etches itself deeper into its face, seeming permanent as the wolf spews his sickening words. "I understand why you've locked yourself away for so long… You're ashamed." Satisfaction coats his voice as he notices something flicker within the tiger's obsidian eyes. A flash of recognition. His smile widens, "You're disgusted with yourself, you've wanted to prove for so long that you're better than what so many have deemed you as. Yet time after time again, you've had to face a truth that you can't run away from, Tigress." It lets out a sickening growl and tries to move its paw forward, but it simply doesn't have the strength.

"The monster of Bao Gu had never left. I'm staring at her right now." Clouds of crimson morph into demonic faces, it can feel something akin to a dagger writhing in its veins, stabbing into its head. "You can't deny what you really are… a beast that is only capable of death and destruction." Its eyes begin to twitch as a horrible ringing bleeds its ears, ripping tears out of its blackened eyes. Though its grip loosens, the monster doesn't let go. But Zhongcheng knows its on the brink. He knows that the tiger is trying to break out to the surface. "Whatever control you have is waning, its crumbling. You hope you won't lose yourself when it is only a matter of time. And we both know that time is coming soon." His smile only grows more sinister as he shifts the gauntlet of his free paw, the hilt of his dagger slipping into his paw, outside the tiger's vision.

"It's a miracle your family is still alive."

With this last insidious whisper, the tiger's eyes begin to shrink. "No." She growls out, the monster clutching at its head as this pain only ramps up in intensity. The children of Bao Gu, her family, Nuba, Shifu, Po, they all flash through her head at once as the beast tries to keep itself in control. Crimson distorts into memories, dreams, nightmares, hallucinations, it can barely tell. All that Tigress can feel is the pain ripping into her mind, flowing from her heart. All that the monster can see are the nightmares mirroring its most haunting memory. All they can feel is the fear of that reality. The fear of losing everything, including herself. They cannot see the wolf now free of the monster's grasp. They can't see the gleam of a metal blade, reflecting the embers of the warehouse lanterns.

Shink!

"Aaaagh!" Tigress roars out in agony as she clutches her left eye with her paw, dark crimson rivers seeping through her fingers. Mania erupts in her sight, in her mind, in her ears as these memories and nightmares blur together. Her heart's pain accompanies the torment of her wounded eyes, beating down on her mind as she tries desperately to recover.

"Tigress!"

Her panda's desperate cries reach her ears, yet she can't tell if they're real. The monster doesn't let her see what is going on, she doesn't let it corrupt her any further. In the midst of their self-inflicted stalemate, neither of them sees Zhongcheng's evil smile. Neither of them sees his shining eyes.

His prey finally in his grasp, the horrid commander grabs her by the back of the head and raises his paw up, his index finger outstretched and coiled in sickly blue chi.

Feeling something tap on her forehead, the memories swirling around Tigress' sight begin to fade as she grimaces at the monster finally releasing its grip on her worn-down mind. "That… that can't be right." Zhongcheng's voice reaches her ears, immediately bringing a scowl to her face as she regains her bearings. Before that however, her paw moves on its own as she feels the air shift towards her forehead.

As she catches the wolf's wrist, the tiger master opens her eyes to see his face wrapped in confusion and irises void of their glow. "No! This can't be happening! That's impossible!" At his fear-filled exclamations, Tigress lands a palm strike on the right of his chest, forcing him back into the cracked wall.

But she aimed for the centre. Didn't she? Her befuddlement remains only for a moment as she looks upon the crimson maw engorging her paw, the blood pouring down her left cheek. She opens and closes her left eyelids only for it to remain in darkness. Vicious snarls rumble out of her throat as she glares at the weakened wolf, her footsteps rivalling the intensity of a thunderstorm as she approaches him. That putrid mutt took her eye and tried to take her mind. Now, its time he paid in-

"Augh! Aagh! Aaauuugh!"

Her singular amber eye widens at the sound of Po's voice, hoarse and suffering. But that is not what forces her to look over the railing.

Shink! Shink! Shink!

It's the sounds of blades following it, deafening all other noises in the room. Horror turns her fur white at the sight of her panda. "Po!" Crimson lathers his once black and white fur, chasms of stab wounds are littered around his torso, filled with rivers of blood. His face is draped in too many bruises and gashes to even be recognisable.

Though clearly tired, he tries to swing his arms to fight the Wu-sisters, but he is too sluggish to hit them. This only invites them to engrave more agonising wounds onto him. Before she can jump down to save him, Zhongcheng manages to run up behind her and keep her trapped in a headlock. Any attempts she makes to break free are thwarted by her own body's exhaustion, leaving her helpless to watch as her love dies before her very eyes.

"Po! Don't you touch him! No!"

Her pleas fall on willingly deaf ears as the Wu-sisters continue to burrow their blades and claws into the dragon warrior without mercy. His blood sprays onto them, the poor panda still trying to fight them off despite his body simply being unable to. Jade eyes can barely stay open until they look up at Tigress, noticing the tears spilling out of her good eye whilst her other eye cries in a mix of bloodied agony. Knowing his fate, his own eyes glisten in sadness. This will be the last time she'll ever see him.

Shink!

Jade irises shoot open as Su Wu slices his throat, making him choke on his own breath and blood. "No! You monster! You monster!" As Tigress' agonising screams fill the room, Po reaches his arm out for her with his final breath before he falls back. Dead. "Po! How could you… How could you!?" Pain stabs into her head as the sight of her bloodied love rips her heart to shreds, her constant tears making her good eye bleed red. "You took him! You took my Po! You took him from me!"

Zhongcheng's sadistic cackle poisons her ears as he turns her face to the warehouse's entrance, "Have you forgotten what I told you?" Her sobs practically blind her but even in her grief she can see the tragedy awaiting her at the entrance. Mantis's disfigured body buried under the weight of an unfinished cannon; the two halves of Viper's body being chucked on the floor. But what truly renders her soul into an unsalvageable wreck is the sight of Zhonglei's severed head held proudly in Gongjiang's hoof and a worn-down Shifu crawling to her only for Monkey to run him through with a soldier's blade, Crane watching on with hollow eyes. Tigress' lip quivers at the sight of her family, torn apart and sent to an early grave. "I told you I would make you watch as I tear your world asunder."

It was her family. She was so happy. So, loved. She finally had everything she wanted. Her grief, her torment ignites into an unyielding rage. She had let her family be taken away from her again. She couldn't do anything.

No.

He had taken away her family. He had taken away her happiness. He had ruined her life just like she did. Just like they had. Just like fate had.

This rage burrows its way into her very soul, the monster awakening once again. But this time, it won't let them hurt her again. It won't let anyone hurt them ever again.

The monster unsheathes its claws and digs it into the arm wrapped around her throat, relishing Zhongcheng's painful shrieks as it dragged its claws down the length of his arm, leaving crimson road embedded into him. This forces him to release his grip, allowing the beast to take a swipe at him only for the dastardly wolf to disappear in a veil of smoke.

Nuba flashes in its crimson sight again, her eyes bleeding into Zhongcheng's horrid form. It slashes away at the smoke, finally allowing its good eye to see where he retreated to. Rancid snarls foam from its throat as it glares at the cowering wolf, staying behind his soldiers whilst staring back with fearful eyes. As it continues glaring at the wolf that took everything from it, the monster doesn't realise everything has dissolved from its good eye. Everything except for its sclera, which glows a haunting blue light.

"No." Po whispers out, staring up at his tiger now devolved into a snarling beast, her left eye still bleeding profusely and her right eye glowing the same blue glow that Monkey and Crane have. Worst of all, her glare is focused solely on him, as if he had wronged her horribly.

Everyone within the warehouse has been halted in their tracks by the sight before them. The great master Tigress, now another soldier enslaved by Zhongcheng. His wicked laugh engulfs the deathly stillness of the warehouse as stands beside his brainwashed beast. Immediately, he notices the dragon warrior's eyes shift to him, burning into him a glare that could kill a thousand men. He can see the anger in his soul, the vengeance he wants to enact. Perhaps you should've forgone your honour, maybe then you'd all be in a better situation. Dark blue eyes flash in their insidious glow, making Tigress snarl again and get on all-fours, ready to pounce.

With a sadistic grin planted on his lips, the commander bellows, "Brother! Wu-sisters!" The four look to him with equally malicious grins whilst Mantis can only gaze on with a blackhole forming in his stomach. "How about we give the couple some privacy?"

Horror snaps onto Po's face as he glances back at his brainwashed love, her hateful glare puncturing his heart. "Tigress?" Sorrow, fear, grief, pain, his mind can barely process all of these emotions as they pour out into his voice. It was bad enough that his friends were under control, but not her. Not her. "Tigress, please!" He yells out to her, but the only response the monster gives is a menacing growl and feral roar as she leaps over the railing to him, her claws bare and hungry for his blood. "Tigress! Tigress, wait!"

*Sigh* Poor Tigress just never catches a break, does she? Anyway, feel free to despise me now that I've pitted the two lovebirds against each other. Then again, Zhongcheng did that. So you can hate him too, cuz he's genuinely evil. Like, I did not expect him to come out like this when planning his character, but I am very pleased that its worked out. Now that disaster truly has struck let's hope Shifu and Viper will be able to come to the rescue soon, cuz the odds are vastly stacked against our heroes at the moment. I'll try to get out the next chapter as soon as possible, so stay tuned! Until next time :)