Chapter 11: Wedding Day

Today is the day that I have been dreading for the past weeks. My wedding day. I was trying to get some good sleep before the wedding, but Tai Lung walked in and woke me up.

"Wake up, Lana. It's time to get married!" Tai Lung said happily. I groaned in response. I did not want to get married. Tai Lung put out a wedding dress for me.

The bottom of the dress was straight-lined with the sem touching the ground. Sparkles were on the middle and the top of the dress. The top of the dress was parted in six ways, three on each side. Sleeveless straps touched the shoulders.

"Put it on and meet me outside. You have ten minutes." Tai Lung said.

I did as he said and put the dress on. The dress looked a bit revealing to me. I wanted to say something, but I didn't. Tai Lung wouldn't listen to what I'd say. I didn't feel like a bride because I was being forced to marry against my will. I didn't want any of this. Why couldn't he understand?

When I finished getting ready, I met Tai Lung outside.

"I'm ready," I said. Tai Lung took a good look at me.

"You look beautiful, my love." Tai Lung said. Tai Lung offered his hand to me. I was hesitant to take his hand, but I was more scared of punishment, so I took his hand. We walked over to where our transportation was waiting for us.

"Where will the wedding be?" I asked.

"At the Vally of Peace in the Jade Palace." Tai Lung said. I was shocked when I heard the wedding will be at the Jade Palace. I wondered how he was able to pull that off. I know that my dad's and the Five will be there because he ordered the guard to send the invitations to them. We stopped when we reached our transportation. Before we got in, Tai Lung kneeled down to my level and gripped my chin.

"Now listen, Lana. You are to be on your best behavior at the wedding. No trying to run off and absolutely no talking to your family. If you misbehave then you will be punished after the wedding, do you understand?" Tai Lung said firmly.

"Yes," I said nervously.

"Good girl. Now let's go, we have a wedding to attend." Tai Lung said.

I sighed as we stepped into the transport car. I hope this will be over soon.

The Jade Palace was busy when we arrived. Lots of people, almost the whole village. I tried scanning for my dad's and Tigress but couldn't find them.

"Tai Lung, please. Let me say goodbye to my family before we get married." I begged with tears forming in my eyes.

Tai Lung looked at me for a moment before finally speaking. "Fine. But this is the only time that I will allow you to talk to your family. After this, no more free passes."

I accepted his offer. I was escorted to a backroom and instructed to wait there until the wedding ceremony. The door was locked so I couldn't attempt to escape. I sat down on the bed and waited. I began to cry, knowing that my life was going to change after Tai Lung, and I said our vows. After I wiped some tears from my eyes, I was able to get something to eat. I was hungry because I hadn't been able to have anything since yesterday.

I laid down after I finished. I begin to think of what my life was like before Tai Lung has taken me into captivity. I was happy with my dad's back in the Valley. Now all that was going to be taken away from me.

I got startled when I heard a knock on my door. The door opened, and I was relieved to see Po and Tigress walking in.

"Dad! Tigress!" I said happily.

"Lana!" They said. I ran up to them and they wrapped their arms around me.

"Are you okay? What happened to you?" Po asked me worriedly when he saw some cuts and bruises on my body from when Tai Lung had been abusing me.

"Tai Lung has been abusing me... I... He forced me to marry him." I sobbed. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for any of this to happen."

"We know. Which is why we are going to help you escape." Tigress said.

"You are?" I said.

"Yes. We are going to escape tonight during the reception." Tigress said. I was all for the plan. I'm thankful that I have my family here with me to help me.

"What if it doesn't work?" I asked worriedly.

"Don't worry, it will," Po assured me.

"Dad, where is our other dad?" I asked.

"He's still here, but he was devastated when he found out that you and Tai Lung were getting married," Po said. I felt bad. Mr. Ping was worried sick about me. Mr. Ping has always been protective of me and Po growing up.

Before the wedding, Tigress helped me finish putting on my wedding outfit. I was very nervous.

I looked at myself in the mirror when we put on the finishing touches. Even with all these extra accessories and make-up on I still didn't feel like a bride.

"How do I look?" I asked Po and Tigress.

"Beautiful," Tigress said. I heard the wedding bells chime.

"I guess it's time," Po said.

"Goodbye, Dad, Tigress," I said, giving them one more hug.

"We love you," Po said. They watched with sadness as I was escorted out of the room by a guard. Po and Tigress left to get a seat at the wedding. The guards stayed close behind me while I walked down the long stairs. I reached the center of the outside of the palace. I saw Tai Lung waiting for me at the altar.

Tai Lung stood tall and proud. The smile on his face expressed nothing but filth. I stared at the audience below me. Almost the whole village was here as I mentioned before. I saw Po, Mr. Ping, Shifu, and the Furious Five lined up near the altar. The Five looked at me with sympathy. Shifu had some guilt expressed on his face. I gasped when I felt a sharp knife pointed at my back.

"I would start walking if I were you." One of the guards said.

I obeyed and began my walk down the aisle. Tears formed in my eyes. At that moment, I wanted to die. I wanted to collapse at any moment. I hoped God would show mercy and end my suffering. Maybe I would have a sudden heart attack?

When I passed my dad's and the Five, I made the final descent to the alter. Tai Lung took my hand when I reached to him. Tai Lung held my hands tightly while the priest read through some things. I tried my best not to cry. I was shivering. Not too violently to be noticeable but I'm certain Tai Lung could feel it. My head stayed low. I couldn't bring myself to look at my psychopath brother and kidnapper in the eyes.

The priest speaks the usual words that all weddings have. I could barely hear anything. I was trying to focus my efforts on staying upright. My legs felt weak and my head heavy. I wanted so badly to beg Tai Lung to change his mind and not to make me do this, but I also didn't want to cause a scene at the wedding, especially after his warning.

I held onto some hope though because the Five did have a plan to rescue me.

There are no vows said in this wedding, at least not for me. No one would have expected me to anyway. Tai Lung said his vows, but they were fake. Tai Lung placed his hand under my chin once again.

"Lana, you are going to make me so happy, and my revenge will finally be complete." Tai Lung said. "What is the point of having such great power if not to have someone to share it with?"

Tai Lung squeezes my hands tightly. "We are going to be so happy together, and you will learn to submit to me." Tai Lung said. I saw Tigress giving Tai Lung angry glares.

"The rings." The priest says.

Shifu holds the rings in a blood red pillow. Shifu and I exchanged quick glances before his eyes shot back down. Shifu raises the pillow higher. The priest takes the rings. Tai Lung put the ring on me. I was forced to put the ring on Tai Lung. I felt disgusted doing so.

"Tai Lung, do you take Lana to be your lawfully wedded wife? To live together in marriage? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor her, and keep her for better or worse, in sickness and health and forsaking all others, to be faithful only to her for the rest of your lives?"

"I do." Tai Lung said.

"Lana, do you take Tai Lung to be your lawfully wedded husband? To live together in marriage? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor him, and keep him for better or worse, in sickness and health and forsaking all others, to be faithful only to him for the rest of your lives?"

"I... I..." I had trouble speaking because I have been holding back sobs. When I look at my family, I was able to find my voice. "I do."

"If there are any objections here today, speak now or forever hold your peace." The priest said.

I hoped someone would say "I object" but no one dared to because of how dangerous Tai Lung is.

"By the power invested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

Tai Lung wasted no time in cupping my face and bringing us together. Rough lips pressed against my delicate fragile ones.

After the kiss Tai Lung practically yanks me down the stairs and the aisle my family not too far behind. I kept trying my best not to cry but I couldn't hold in my tears any longer. I felt some tears roll down my cheeks, spreading my make-up a bit. I tried to hide my tears from my new husband, but Tai Lung noticed and slapped me.

"Smile, Lana!" Tai Lung growled, his voice dripping with venom. "You belong to me now. You are my wife. Act like it."

I wiped my tears and forced myself to smile. We go about with the usually wedding traditions. Some photos here and there. I hated pictures, but I had no choice but to oblige.

Then came the wedding reception. I soon became hopeful because this is when Tigress said that they would rescue me. There was some food at the reception, but I couldn't care about food right now. I couldn't bring myself to eat at a time like this.

There is now a slow dance. Tai Lung took me to the dance floor where Tai Lung held my hands so tightly that I thought my hands were going to snap in half. I soon began to feel nauseous. I scanned the room for the Furious Five and Po. Tigress walked up to me, careful not to get Tai Lung's attention.

"Tigress?" I said quietly so Tai Lung couldn't hear.

"Lana. We're gonna wait till he is distracted. Then on my signal, you run and don't look back." Tigress said quietly. I nodded.

After Tai Lung and I finished our dance, Tai Lung said he had to leave the room to go take care of something. When Tai Lung left the room, Tigress gave me the signal.

"Go Lana, go!" Po shouted.

I ran and ran until I reached the bottom of the Jade Palace. I kept running until I felt something trip me. I looked up to see Tai Lung standing in front of me, his arms crossed over his chest.

"Well, well, well. Look who's trying to escape." Tai Lung said. My body shivered with fear. I saw the Five, Po, and Shifu run up to me.

"Dad!" I cried when I saw Po running up to me.

"Lana!" Po cried. Tai Lung gripped my arms tight, forced me to stand and pinned my arms behind my back. I tried to get out of his grip, but he held me tightly.

"I told you what would happen if you tried to escape." Tai Lung said.

"Tai Lung! Let Lana go. Now!" Shifu yelled.

Tai Lung gave out an evil laugh. "I am never letting her go. Lana is mine for the rest of my life." Tai Lung said.

"Lana!" Tigress screamed.

"You are going to regret trying to run away." Tai Lung whispered in my ear before hitting my head hard with his paw. Within seconds, I blacked out.

END OF CHAPTER 11.