Twin Dragons
The Prodigal Son Returns
Disclaimer: I don't own Kung Fu Panda, whether it's in movies or spinoffs.
As Po opened up the portal to return all the captured villains to the Spirit Realm, Tai Lung gave Po an acknowledging look.
"See you on the other side, Dragon Warrior," Tai Lung told him.
"Actually, maybe we won't have to," Po replied. "At least not yet."
"What do you mean?" asked Tai Lung as he held the hapless Chameleon his hands.
Both Shen and Kai stood behind Tai Lung as if they had something to say to Po as well.
"Well, I did some thinking," Po answered. "I know you were once a hero in the Jade Palace and Shifu was your father. What if… we hold off on sending you back to the Spirit Realm and I arrange for you and Shifu to meet once again?"
"Really?" Tai Lung looked surprised, as did Zhen, Kai, Shen, and the Chameleon.
"We go meet Shifu after this," Po offered. "I know there was a lot of unfinished business between you two and I'd like to help you reconcile with him."
"You'd do that for me?" asked Tai Lung.
"I mean it," Po smiled.
Before Kai could say something, Tai Lung shoved the Chameleon into his hands.
Kai looked down at the Chameleon with a confused stare, which was only returned.
"Well?" Tai Lung told Kai. "What are you waiting for? A friendly pat on the horns? Take her and go back!"
Kai grumbled angrily but then decided that he would rather get his revenge against the Chameleon if Tai Lung was going to just give her up to him. Turning around, Kai left through the portal.
"Uh sorry," Po told the vanishing Kai. "Whatever you had to say, maybe I'll contact you again one day with Oogway's staff!"
"No!" the Chameleon cried as she was dragged away. "I don't want to go!"
"Is this a good idea?" Zhen whispered to Po.
"Trust me," Po whispered back.
Tai Lung then noticed Shen standing there, not having returned to the Spirit Realm. He too looked like he wanted to say something to Po.
The snow leopard then turned his attention to the peacock.
"Does it look like there's a red carpet waiting for you at the Jade Palace?" Tai Lung snarled. "Return to the Spirit Realm! Unless you want a reminder of what happened the last time we met there!"
Shen glared daggers at Tai Lung but as soon as the snow leopard revealed his claws, the peacock wisely decided against arguing and flew back through the portal while swearing under his breath.
"I'll make a note to call you as well!" Po told Shen before he disappeared.
"So Po," Mr. Ping walked up to him with Li Shan. "Are you ready to head back now?"
"The party's all here so let's skedaddle!" Po nodded as he closed the portal.
oooo
"So Shifu, I've got some surprises for you," Po told his master as the two spoke in the Jade Palace.
"I take it your mission went successfully?" asked Shifu.
"It was," confirmed Po. "The Chameleon won't be threatening us ever again."
"Very good Po," Shifu smiled. "Now, what are those surprises you wish to share?"
"Well, first things first," Po told him. "I've got a new apprentice who will replace me as the Dragon Warrior."
"Good to hear you've finally come to a decision," Shifu nodded. "Who is it?"
"Zhen, you can come out now!" Po declared.
Zhen entered through the front door, waving sheepishly.
"Po, you're not serious about taking in this career criminal, are you?" demanded Shifu.
"She helped me take down the Chameleon!" Po insisted. "C'mon Shifu! Zhen is the real deal and I know she'd make a great Dragon Warrior!"
Shifu sighed. "Oh fine. Choose who you want. A thief. A stick. A carrot. I don't even know why I bother!"
Po could already see that Shifu was not sold on Zhen being the new Dragon Warrior. And that meant he needed to act fast with the other reveal.
"I'm going to go meditate… a lot," Shifu got up to walk off.
"Uh, before you do, there's one more thing," Po told him. "You can come out now!"
This time, something completely unexpected came to Shifu's attention. Tai Lung walked through the front door and looked at Shifu, this time with a different expression than the murderous glare he had during their last confrontation.
"What?" Shifu's jaw dropped.
"I brought him home," Po told his master.
Shifu's staff dropped to the floor as tears welled up in his eyes.
"Shifu," Tai Lung told him. "I'm sorry. For everything."
"You… you don't have to apologize… son," Shifu walked over to Tai Lung as the two embraced.
Both Po and Zhen smiled at seeing the family reunion between father and prodigal son.
"Don't worry," Po told his student. "Shifu will come around to accepting you as well."
oooo
"Is this for real?" asked Tigress.
The Furious Five were now back at the Jade Palace after their own mission had been completed and so far, they didn't know what to be more surprised with, the fact that Po had picked a replacement or the fact that Tai Lung was there in the flesh.
Tai Lung looked down at his own paw, noting that the golden glow he had as a Spirit Warrior had faded away, meaning he was truly back in the land of the living.
"Hey guys," Zhen told the Five.
"So to recap," Po told them. "Zhen turned over a new life and we defeated the Chameleon together. After that, I decided to bring Tai Lung back. I figured there was a lot of reconciliation to be done between Shifu and Tai Lung."
"It's alright," Shifu told the Five, trying to put them at ease. "Everything is now fine between myself and Tai Lung."
"I had to do a lot of self-reflecting in the Spirit Realm," Tai Lung told everyone. "Since then, along with my captivity by the Chameleon, I've come to regret my actions. It's my hope that everyone here can forgive my actions."
"Well, if Shifu and Po are both willing to give you a chance, we're willing as well," Viper told him.
"But there's just one problem," Tigress cautioned. "A lot of people in the Valley still remember Tai Lung's rampage and the damage he did. The whole town will be in panic mode if they see Tai Lung again."
"That… will be a problem," Shifu admitted.
"And I've stayed in the world of living long enough that I've become mortal again," Tai Lung informed everyone. "Short of Po killing me with the Wu-xi Fingerhold again, I'm afraid I can't just conveniently vanish back to the Spirit Realm."
"Did you know this would happen?" asked Po.
"No," Tai Lung shook his head. "Dying and then coming back to life isn't something I've gone through before exactly… nor most people for that matter."
"So, uh, what do we do then?" Mantis asked.
"There may be only one way to resolve this," Shifu decided. "We're going to have to hold a public ceremony and announce that Tai Lung has returned… but also that he's changed and is willing to make amends with the Valley of Peace."
"That could work," Po agreed.
"Are you willing to give this a try?" Shifu asked his adoptive son.
"Given everything I've done, I believe I can agree to this," Tai Lung consented after some thought.
oooo
"Greetings, everyone," Shifu announced. "Not long ago, I we announced that the Dragon Warrior would be choosing a successor. And as you can see, he has made his choice."
At the temple near the city square, everyone had gathered together to hear out Shifu, the Furious Five, and Po.
Po gestured towards Zhen who waved to the crowd.
"Hey guys!" Zhen smiled to the cheers of the audience.
"There is another announcement I wish to share with everyone," Shifu told them. "And this is news that may come as a shock to some of you."
The audience looked at him in anticipation.
"Recent events involving the Dragon Warrior and his new apprentice have brought forth changes," Shifu told everyone. "And one of those changes involved someone we all know coming back to life."
At once, Tai Lung stepped out of the temple door to the shock and gasps of the audience.
"I know what this looks like," Shifu quickly told everyone. "But let me assure you, the rampaging monster that you once knew is no more. Tai Lung has changed and he is no longer the person that he used to be."
The audience calmed down slightly but still looked cautious.
"Tough crowd," Po whispered.
"I know I've done all of you wrong," Tai Lung told them. "But while I was in the Spirit Realm, I've had the chance to reflect on my actions and when the Chameleon brought me back, Po showed me that he was indeed worthy of the title of Dragon Warrior. I am sorry for my crimes against the Valley of Peace and I hope that I can make amends with all of you."
Tai Lung bowed in humility to the audience. At that point, everyone began to clap slowly, though it was still clear they hadn't fully embraced him. However, based on the fact that both Shifu and Po were willing to give him a chance, everyone else was at least willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.
"I will do all that I can to earn your trust once more," Tai Lung told them.
Within the audience, a pig turned around and wrote something down on his notes. He turned to his rabbit companion and smiled. The two of them were government agents who had traveled to the Valley of Peace merely to observe the transition to a new Dragon Warrior but news of Tai Lung's resurrection had taken them completely by surprise.
"The Emperor will want to hear about this," the pig told his companion. "Tai Lung of all people being resurrected…"
"And to think we only came here on reconnaissance just to find out about the Dragon Warrior picking up a successor," the rabbit grinned. "Should we bring Tai Lung to the Emperor ourselves?"
"Are you insane?" the pig shook his head. "That snow leopard will have our heads. We send word to our post and they'll bring forth a warrior who can forcefully take Tai Lung to the royal court before the Emperor."
"Well, that makes sense," the rabbit agreed.
"Let's go," the pig told his co-worker. "The Emperor will want to hear our report."
oooo
"Well, that went well, I'd say," Po told Tai Lung as everybody gathered back at the Jade Palace.
"I could still see the fear in some of their eyes," Tai Lung admitted. "Rebuilding trust will take time."
"Redemption isn't easy," Po told him. "It takes time and effort. But you can accomplish it if you put in the work. And I'm sure everyone will come to accept you."
"So, when do we begin training?" asked Zhen.
"Well, first we start with the basics," Po told her. "And I want you to know that I won't be your only instructor."
Po gestured towards the Furious Five.
"We've got you covered," Tigress smiled.
"We'll make it fun on the first day!" Monkey promised.
"Wanna come?" Po asked Tai Lung. "Zhen could always use an extra helping hand!"
"I think I'll sit this one out," Tai Lung told them. "Right now, I don't think I'm in much of a position to be taking on students…"
oooo
That night, Tai Lung walked wistfully towards the peach tree where Shifu sat in meditation.
"Good evening," Shifu told his adopted son.
"Greetings Shifu," Tai Lung sat down, cross-legged.
"So, how did the day go?" asked Shifu.
"I spent most of it training alone," Tai Lung told his adoptive father. "It just didn't feel right for me to oversee the new Dragon Warrior's training, considering I'm not her master."
"Po sure can pick 'em," Shifu sighed.
"Is that disapproval I hear in your voice?" Tai Lung asked in surprise.
"Maybe just a little," Shifu told him. "Of all people, I just never thought Po could pick a thief to be his apprentice. I mean, maybe she'll change my mind down the line but Zhen was just an unexpected choice."
"I saw how she did against the Chameleon," Tai Lung informed his former master. "I feel like Po's choice will pay off eventually."
"Well, if you're willing to give Zhen a chance, then perhaps I will too," Shifu told his son. "Have you given any thought as to what you'd do tomorrow?"
"Well, the idea was that I would return to the Spirit Realm," Tai Lung admitted. "But that plan has been cancelled because now I'm alive again."
"I see," Shifu stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Hmm, perhaps there is something else we could do together."
"What do you have in mind?" asked Tai Lung.
"I figured we'd go down to the Valley together," Shifu told him. "With me by your side, it would also have a calming effect on the people of the Valley so they can see that you are no longer who they fear you to be."
"Well," Tai Lung smiled. "I don't see why not."
"It's good to have you back again," Shifu told Tai Lung as the two continued staring into the night sky peacefully.
oooo
At the government post, both pig and rabbit gave their messenger goose the letter as he flew off. They then turned to the assembled officials who had gathered there for the news.
"So," a rhino official stepped forward. "Now that we know Tai Lung is back, what shall we do about the situation?"
"It's very simple," the pig replied. "We bring Tai Lung before his Excellency who could use a warrior of his caliber."
"And if he refuses to cooperate?" asked the rhino.
"Well, that's why we'll need someone to apply a little bit of persuasion," the pig agent replied.
"And who might you have in mind?" asked the rhino.
"Many of the imperial capital's best warriors aren't available," the pig told him. "However, I was able to get in contact with a skilled warrior whose caliber might be good enough to take Tai Lung. And even if he can't, he'll at least be able to hurt Tai Lung enough that the rest of us can ambush him with large numbers."
"Hmm, this plan sounds do-able," the rhino nodded. "So who is this warrior?"
On cue, an elderly kung fu master appeared before them.
"I give you Kweng of the Kung Fu Express," the pig told him.
"My specialty is mail delivery," Kweng took out two large swords. "But for the amount I'm being paid for this, I will not stop until the snow leopard is bound in chains and brought before the royal steps!"
To be continued.
Author's Note: Unlike my previous KFP fics which I tried to keep more or less "canon compliant" during a time when the shows didn't get de-canonized from the movies, this one takes place completely in an alternate continuity diverging at the end of KFP4 where Tai Lung comes back to life and finds out that achieving a redemption story is a long, arduous process. Some LoA, Paws of Destiny, and Dragon Knight characters will appear in this story (though not all of them) and be re-imagined in a new series where Po and Tai Lung go on a journey together. The director for the fourth movie said before the movie's release that it would be heavily influenced by anime. For Twin Dragons, I'm also shooting for a similar feel and taking inspiration from a lot of Shonen Anime for this series.