Author's Note: Whoopee! I managed to get another chapter done... after a month... again. Once again, I am really sorry for taking so long. Work has been pretty crazy, but I'm honestly trying to get it out faster but at the same time I don't want to rush it. I want this story to be the best it possibly can be. Anyways, enough of my yapping. Let's get on with the chapter. And I think a lot of you will like this one!

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN KFP! (Duh)

Enjoy.

Scars of the Past

Dark clouds continue to reign supreme in the skies above, acting as guardians for the almighty sun. Though its resplendent rays emanate with such splendour, even the Gods know that its own power has now been dwarfed. Flakes of snow descend from the heavens with an agonising slowness, reeking with such apprehension that they nearly remain still in the air.

The few that do let themselves fall onto the earth, do so with a relentless shiver, fearing the creature that ventures through the ironwood forest behind the Jade Palace. One would expect these little flakes to melt or dissipate on blades of grass, yet they remain frozen on lumps of dirt, nestled in brown and musty corpses of grass and decayed flowers. Yet, they are not mere snowflakes anymore. Instead, they are frozen by something far more insidious, as if death itself walks beside them.

Shadowy feet pass by some of these frozen flakes, rendering more of the greenery around into lifeless, hollow vessels. Leaves curl up until they crush into themselves, grass and flowers are suffocated of their colour, the mighty bark of the ironwood trees age rapidly until they resemble grey husks. What walks among this once beautiful place is a being that feeds upon despair, pain, and fear. An abomination of nature that wears a darkened guise of China's wisest sage, Oogway. An atrocity born of darkness in its purest form, evil incarnate.

Ke-Pa, the demon king.

With each step this horrible creature takes more of the earth's children die from his mere presence, yet he pays them no mind. His white, reptilian eyes close as he breathes deeply through his nose. For the first time in 500 years, he can walk on the earth, he can see, he can touch, he can taste. He can breathe in fresh air after centuries of imprisonment. Yet, it is not the air that he relishes. Rather, it is the scent that poisons it to near completion. It is the rancid taste that accompanies this venomous scent, clutching the demon's opal tongue with the strength of a hundred men. It is the power that courses through his shell of a 'body' with this deep breath.

Despair, pure and unrelenting. A demented grin fills his face as he opens his eyes again, adoring every waking moment of torment that ripples throughout the valley of peace. To think that this well of raw suffering is just within his grasp. To think that only more pain awaits them. He continues on his path, the ironwood forest rotting into a bitter, blackened carcass. Decayed by Ke-Pa's unrelenting darkness. For so long he had been contained, forced to be a mere observer to the rampant chaos that had transpired, armed with nothing more but mere whispers. All of it had built up to this, a chance to seize what is rightfully his. To reward his minions for their worship. To pave the world in the despair that fuels him so. Through the crumpling leaves and branches of the ironwood trees, the back of the Jade Palace is revealed to him in its mourning majesty, making him smile even wider. So many years of imagining it, only to be mere steps away.

That is, until he stops at the sound of growling. Faint, distant, yet present. Wrathful, wild, yet reeking of sorrow. Ke-Pa turns his head as this barbaric melody dances along his ears, reaching for him, tempting him towards it. Despite its quietness, it remains as a stain on the howling wind, a palimpsest of fear, rage, and pain. Deathly white irises glow in recognition of the source of this growling, his smile reaching shadowy ear to shadowy ear in anticipation of what awaits him.

A single ironwood tree stands out above the rest, battered, wounded, and branded with dried, blackened blood. A mark soaked in terror and loathing. A symbol of an angry yet terrified little tiger that had gone too far many years ago. Ke-Pa steps towards it, his very presence making the tree's bark crawl. "All those years of training, truly gone to waste." A dark, hideous voice pours out of Oogway's mocking shadow, dripping in some sick enjoyment of Tigress' unending plight. He places his claws along the tiger's blackened mark, licking his lips as the once barely audible growls soon deafen him from the rest of the world.

Monster! Freak! Get away from me! Stay in there! What family would want you!? Your technique is lacking! I didn't teach you that! Control yourself! You have to better than that!

A mosaic of voices had warped the little tiger's mind, trapping her in a maze that she could never escape. He remembered that day well. A full year after Shifu had adopted her yet his steely regimen still hadn't fully clicked. Her form was sloppy, her attacks lacking in power and coated in fear. It wasn't long before Shifu had gone on a tirade of her failings, even foolishly mentioning Tai Lung.

Oh, he could never forget the red panda's grief. If only he could've properly relished it from his prison. Ke-Pa could remember what drove Tigress to this forest that same night. A spring night still recovering from winter's phantom breath, chilly but not freezing. Though the flowers and greenery had started to grow back, the demon could've sworn he had seen them cowering away from the six-year-old tiger.

Bam!

With the wrath fuelling her punches, who wouldn't?

Bam!

Initially a training exercise, a way to clear her head. Only for it to turn into a devastating display of rage.

Bam!

Of fear.

Crack!

Of pain. Tigress gritted her teeth as she felt her knuckles break underneath the ironwood tree's merciless bark. The screams of her nerves and tendons spread throughout her body, the agony her paws had experienced reaching her eyes in the form of tears. How he could savour the despair that drowned her eyes. A show of regret. Of sorrow.

Of weakness.

Bam!

She could not be weak, not now. Shifu's words of strength and control melded with the distorted mess of her mind. A sentiment once hopeful, had served to numb her pitiful sobs into stalwart grunts. Numb her fists as they bled out onto the tree without end.

Numb her heart so it wouldn't hurt anymore.

A dark chuckle exits Ke-Pa's maw as he thinks upon the irony of such a thing. To think that anyone could escape their sorrow, their pain. As if it could ever end well. He could remember well what he had whispered to spur her on, to keep going until she had passed out from exhaustion. For a moment, he thought she had died only for Shifu to rush her back to the palace. So much pain and sorrow contained in one so young.

Pale white eyes open up once more as he rips himself out of the tiger cub's bloodied outburst, the subject of that memento flaring from within his shadowy veil. Of course, he could feel her growing agony. Her father is well and truly gone. With a wicked smile, he blinks his eyes only for his left to be fully blacked out and his right to be a pure, glowing white.

Within mere moments, he is no longer in the forest. In fact, he is no longer in his own 'body'. All he sees is an action-packed poster in a humble bedroom. He can see Tigress' singular amber eye glaring at it. He can feel the despair coursing through her soul, the fear of her own monster, the loathing levied at herself in its illustrated form. Darker thoughts begin to form, quenching Ke-Pa's thirst until she banishes them entirely. With his grin somehow growing even wider, his shadowy spirit shifts and contorts until he becomes a perfect rendition of the very tiger her so happily torments. He speaks with her own voice in only a whisper, yet he knows it will be louder than anything else she hears.

"You still think yourself a hero? Who are you trying to fool? You know what you did."

A majestic red and black temple stands amidst a regiment of golden grass, graced by the shining might of an equally golden sky. Cloudless, sunless yet brimming with its incandescent rays. Peach blossoms swirl around the temple along the spirit of the winter's breeze yet the season's chill bears no presence here. Ethereal sensations wrought by memories, by experiences of live past. By times where the inhabitants of the spirit realm have felt true peace, true happiness.

Yet, these emotions do not persist inside as three late spirits sit around a humble dinner table within the temple's kitchen, engulfed in a tense, anxious silence. Master Shifu sits on one side of the table, dressed in his usual robes with his grandmaster's sash embedded in gold. His usually steely eyes are filled with a sombre, knowing worry. Opposite him are two of the most legendary masters that have ever graced the kung fu world. A father and son that had shaped both the art and China itself in their own generations. Master flying Rhino and master thundering Rhino, the elder dressed in pure white robes that bear golden highlights and the younger adorned in silver robes with a pattern of a golden phoenix woven into his side. Two legends who find themselves stunned into a horrified silence. After what he had just told them, Shifu can't blame them.

"The demon king… has returned?" His eyes still trying to process it, flying Rhino repeats this bleak news. It takes a moment, but the late grandmaster gives a nod imbued with a hint of shame, fully aware of just how earth-shattering the very notion is. "But that can't be. Oogway destroyed him long ago."

Shifu's heart pangs at the denial in his old friend's voice, remembering that same betrayal when he had found out from Zhonglei. To think that the turtle had managed to hide this from everyone, even his own students. If only it were possible to soften this blow. "He didn't." Shock fills the faces of both rhinos, unable to comprehend the truth of such a legendary bout. "Even with the help of a clan of tigers, their efforts had proven futile. They needed the phoenix's flame to separate his spirit from his body and seal him away." Yet another surprise, yet another mystery unveiled. For all this time, the phoenix's flame was real. To think that so many had searched for it, yearned for it, died for it; yet Oogway had known of it for centuries.

Though his father still struggles to even construct a coherent sentence, thundering Rhino thinks through the red panda's onslaught of information. He wanders through a maze of questions, all teetering on his tongue only for him to reach the end of his lexical labyrinth with a reserved expression. "If he's been sealed away, then how has he managed to break free?" Thundering Rhino utters in a voice that is the manifestation of tempered steel; cool, collected, and focused. Despite all the confusion and, admittedly, outrage swirling in his head, he manages to look past it all to get the most important question out. Shifu opens his mouth to respond, but an archaic, sorrowful voice beats him to the punch.

"Through fear and anguish."

All three kung fu masters look up to the source of the voice, immediately noticing Oogway adorned in golden, ethereal robes and sat in a lotus position upside down on the ceiling. Talk about a dramatic entrance. "For many centuries, he had maintained his influence in a bid to gain back his strength, used his weakened powers to instil chaos." Seemingly out of nowhere, the ancient master pulls out a long jade staff and throws it down, landing right next to the dinner table upright. With graceful precision, he closes his eyes and lets himself fall down and lands on his staff with his arm outstretched. Though impressive, none of the masters looking on even humour the turtle with a surprised expression. It's not like he hasn't done this before. "A long, patient game that hadn't benefitted him much… until recently."

Master flying Rhino is quick to ask, "What happened?"

Aged jade eyes greet said master with a glint of… anguish. A sight rarely seen in the usually jovial Oogway. "Nuba happened." All three of Oogway's students find their eyes shift downwards in sympathy, with Shifu's having a hint of understanding brewing within. "It was in her battle with the furious five and dragon warrior that the seal had been cracked. It was in this that Ke-Pa was able to gain more power faster, and unfortunately…" Steely blue irises meet with ancient jade, knowing exactly what he is about to refer to. "Zhongcheng's plans and Shifu's death had provided him the perfect opportunity." Oogway finally climbs down from his staff as he finishes his explanation and gazes at both rhinos in anticipation, certain that they have figured out why they are here.

Silence once again fills the air, master flying Rhino's growing scowl weighing it down with rage. Oogway lied. Again. And of course, it doesn't fall on him to fix his mistake, but everyone else. At the very least he could have warned them before, but no. He had to do this instead, "You hid this from us, for so many years…" An incredulous air fills master flying Rhino's timbre as his son passes him a cautious glance, "And you just expect us all to clean it up for you?"

"Father, please."

Despite his son's attempt at a warning, the elder rhino stands up out of his seat and glances at his old master with an unyielding, festering fury. "First Kai, now this!? Is this your idea of a joke, master!? To have your students act as your errand boys!?"

"Master Rhino." Though Shifu's tempered warning strikes ice cold, Oogway stops him from acting on it with an outstretched hand. Steely blue irises note how his elder master keeps his gaze glued onto the outraged rhino, his eyes reeking of regret.

"It isn't our job to fix your mistakes! None of us have devoted our lives to kung fu solely to do what you failed to do! We don't deserve this. The dragon warrior doesn't deserve this. China doesn't deserve this and yet you've carelessly led it to its demise!" It is with this exclamation that flying Rhino barges past his son and stops right in front of Oogway's face, with Shifu hopping out of his chair into a stance. Both elder master stare each other down, with Rhino once again noting the sombre glint in Oogway's eyes. But he doesn't let it affect him, not when he is right, "What more of your demons do we have to endure before we can find peace?"

Silence strangles the room as master flying Rhino continues to glare at his former master, making Shifu remain fixed in his stance. Thundering Rhino can only watch as their heated stare-off is finally broken by the archaic turtle. His aged jade irises shut tight as he heaves a sigh weighed by 500 years of sorrow. "You're right." His gentle tone forces the elder rhino's face to soften ever so slightly, with Shifu's ears folding at the guilt prevalent in his words. "This isn't fair. None of it is. Ke-Pa should've been destroyed a long time ago. There should have been no threat of his return." Oogway's eyes open back up only to shock everyone in the room with a dead serious expression, "But I wasn't strong enough. Neither was the Zhanshi clan. I never wanted his evil to pass on to them or any of you, but we were given no choice. We could've let him win then and hoped that another would best him or sealed him then so we could have peace in the present."

Though flying Rhino maintains his angered countenance, uncertainty begins to taunt it, pulling it down through other explanations not given but certainly implied. Almost snapping him out of his thoughtful trance, Oogway places his right hand on his shoulder, "I wish I could make this my fight. I wish that I could bear my failings on my shoulders and mine alone… but that simply isn't possible, not with Ke-Pa." He takes his hand off the elder rhino's shoulder as he walks past him and over to thundering Rhino, who gives him a resolute, ready stare. Already knowing what he will propose. "He will stop at nothing until everything is consumed by his darkness, even the heavens themselves. No matter how weak or feeble I may be now, I will not let him win this time." He turns back to flying Rhino and reaches his arm out, "We may not be able to aid the dragon warrior, but we can still stop him from making the spirit realm his. Will you fight alongside us? For old time's sake?" For the first time since arriving here, the elder rhino finally sees Oogway's signature lax, relieving smile. A sign that there is nothing to worry about, that it will all be okay.

How fitting that he gives this expression in what could be one of their darkest hours. Out of the corner of his eye, his son gives him a careful glance. Pleading for him to not do something rash. Funny, he remembers giving him that same look as he trained to become a master. Besides, why would he? It was outrageous, downright foolish to his this from them, but hidden or not it is still happening. Regardless of how prepared they are, this foul creature threatens the sanctity of their home. No, the world as they know it. What answer could he possibly give?

"Not like you're giving us much of a choice." Flying Rhino's hoof meets Oogway's forearm and clenches tightly, "Not like you'd need to." He affirms with a reserved yet genuine smile, one that Oogway returns in kind as he clenches his former student's forearm.

"Thank you, old friend."

Flying Rhino lets go of the elder turtle's arm before giving him a fist in palm salute, "It's what you trained me for, master." Smiling wider, Oogway reciprocates, their shared respect finally allowing Shifu to ease up. "Just don't pull this crap again, eh?"

Both thundering Rhino and Shifu's eyes widen at his lackadaisical tone only for the archaic turtle to chuckle at his comment, "How could I? I'm dead."

"You have your ways."

They share another chuckle as they embrace, thankful that they can share another moment together after so long. If only it were under better circumstances.

Grateful that his father has managed to forgive Oogway, thundering Rhino turns to Shifu with a resolute expression, "I take it more masters will come to our aid?"

He is given a curt nod in response, "We'll need every kung fu master here to even hope of standing a chance."

"Should we stay here? Or is there somewhere Oogway wants us to go?"

"Stay here and prepare yourself for now. If the time comes, we'll come to you."

Master thundering Rhino nods back in understanding, part of him thankful that he can fight alongside him again, whilst the other steels himself as his father and Oogway conclude their little reunion. Flying Rhino steps towards his son with a smile of anticipation, "We've got a lot of training to do."

With that, Shifu and Oogway bid their farewells to the rhino masters, exiting the temple to the golden glory of the spirit realm's ethereal meadows. Ancient jade eyes gaze off into the horizon, the elder turtle allowing an indulgent smile to wash over his face. Such beauty, such grace even in such a bleak time. He takes in the incandescent grass, the shining skies, the iridescent trees blooming with peach and cherry blossoms. Yet amidst all of this, something else catches his sight.

A black lotus, tucked in between the myriad of tulips, chrysanthemums and daises lining the gorgeous meadow, hidden under the shade of the trees. Curious. "Where to next, master?" Oogway's smile grows at his old friend's impatient yet respectful tone. Always so anxious and panicked. Justified, yes, but in the grand scheme of things, redundant. Still, if he wasn't like this then he wouldn't be the Shifu he raised and trained for so long. To think, that even in all his failings and all his secrets, he stills stands by his side. He couldn't be more grateful for his friendship.

He doesn't turn to face him as he sits in a lotus stance, his gaze still fixated on that black lotus. "Master Elephant."

"… Perfect." Oogway resists the urge to chuckle at his student's sarcastic murmur. When was the last time they had met? Was it the exhibition match at Gang province? Or the feast at the emperor's palace? Either way, both of them had ended with two screaming their heads off at each other. "Which way do we go?"

"Somewhere towards the west. Keep your ears out for yelling and eyes out for broken training dummies." Elder jade eyes close as he begins to meditate, noting Shifu's affirmative hum coinciding with his footsteps. Footsteps that stop with an unsure abruptness. Oogway would be curious if he didn't feel Shifu's questioning eyes linger on him. "Don't mind me, friend. I will catch up." It takes a few moments for the red panda's footsteps to start up again, each step resonating with an irritated dread. Such a shame they never got along. Resisting the urge to shake his head at their admittedly entertaining rivalry, the ancient turtle continues his meditation, allowing the serene majesty of the spirit realm to wash over him as Shifu's footsteps fade in the distance.

Though his body rests for a moment, his mind is far from clear, the sight of that black lotus filling his thoughts. He has seen it before, yet it was in more recent times. Only in here, only with a certain person. Interesting that it has decided to accompany them on this trip. Interesting that this person has decided to follow them for so long. "It's safe to come out."

"Don't patronise me." A reserved yet powerful voice emanates form the illustrious trees ahead of the turtle, brimming with frustration and a hint of embarrassment. With his smile gaining a smug distinction, Oogway opens his eyes as the owner of said voice drops down onto the meadow. Flowing white robes splash onto the sea of golden grass and flowers with golden patterns of a great dragon woven into its fabric. Underneath these robes lies a figure dressed in black kung fu trousers and a purple kung fu tunic, a pattern of a black lotus etched onto its left side, on top of the figure's heart. As the figure looks up, his golden eyes make contact with his master as his spotted grey fur remains hidden under his hood, allowing Oogway to see exactly who he had been expecting.

Tai Lung.

"I take it you knew for a while?" He questions with his arms folded, unsurprised by Oogway's premonitions.

Said turtle smiles back as he gets to his feet, his giant jade staff held firmly in his left hand. "As long as one knows of their own shadow following them." His nonchalant tone makes the snow leopard scoff. If only he didn't rub it in. "Strange how you act as one without a sun to cast it in the first place." This makes Tai Lung's stern expression falter, his gaze still fixed upon the ancient turtle.

"I wanted to see what you were up to. The both of you."

Sure. Oogway gives a welcoming smile in response, "You don't have to do so from afar. Not when Shifu misses you so." Yet again, his snow leopard student's body loosens a tad, his golden eyes hovering to the meadow beneath him. The wise turtle sees where his mind wanders off to, his soul leaving the windows wide open for a fraction of a second. He could see what the snow leopard had expertly hidden ever since he started training again.

"Yet you've never mentioned me." His voice billows with a haunting understanding, one that lies blameless and… almost accepting.

His smile wilting at the sight of this once proud warrior turned to a sorrowful kitten, Oogway reminds him, "What difference would that make when you avoid him?" Whatever stoic mask Tai Lung attempts to wear soon vanishes, knowing just how right Oogway is. Shifu's death was recent yes, but he hadn't even greeted him let alone comfort him once his funeral was underway. He has had plenty of time to reintroduce himself, and yet he hasn't. "You're ashamed."

Yet again, he hits the nail on the head. Meeting the ancient master's eyes with his own, Tai Lung musters up another steel mask yet it is crafted with sorrow, "After what I've done, wouldn't you be?" Why bother denying it anymore? Why bother with someone as perceptive as him.

"I was…" A hint of surprise flashes on his face at Oogway's ambiguous response, noticing how the ancient grandmaster's eyes seem to look off in the distance. To a memory beyond the snow leopard's comprehension. A memory that fills him with an undeniable curiosity. This rumination disappears as quickly as it had come, the turtle ripping himself out of his own past to meet Tai Lung's gaze. "It wasn't exactly your situation… but similar enough." Understanding shines through Oogway's comforting gaze, surprising the snow leopard further. "But does your father truly deserve to be without his son for that?"

The hall of heroes flashes in Tai Lung's mind for a split-second, his curious expressions morphing to a sombre one as he looks away. Though it hadn't remained for long, he could recount every detail of what was in there. Weapons strewn around in haphazard heaps, two holes punched into the ceiling, Oogway's own wooden staff snapped in two… A father strangled by his bitter, foolish son. After 20 years apart, that was how he greeted him. "He'd be better off without his failure." His voice punches into his own soul, wishing every suffering to be levied upon him in only a single sentence.

His expression wilting even further, Oogway takes a step towards the morose snow leopard with a pained look on his face. To think that one title had done all of this. That his own decision had done such irreparable damage. No, not irreparable. It only seems that way. "Is that what you believe, or what you've heard?"

Look at that! Shifu's little mistake is piping up! Ha ha ha! Commander Vachir's taunting voice tempts a growl from Tai Lung's throat. Guy crippled his own dad. Can you believe that? Ungrateful punk. Yet it is not only that vile rhino, but other guards too. They always thought they were subtle, but he could always hear their mutterings. If only they were wrong. He attacked a village just for a piece of paper? How pathetic. If only he could make things right. But the past can never be reversed.

"Our failings only make us weak if we let them." Oogway's voice snaps him out of his involuntary memories, the turtle's hand now sat atop his shoulder as some form of comfort. "The past is only a burden if we let it be our present."

Tai Lung thinks on this for a moment as he unfolds his arms, resisting the urge to scoff as he rolls his master's hand off his shoulder. "Yet our past can never leave the present. Can it?" With his stoic mask returning, he answers back with little hostility. "Our actions leave ripples in time, scars that always look back at us… or in your case, threaten to take over everything." He adds, knowing that Oogway can't dispute that.

Nor does he try to, his countenance becoming remorseful. A sight that Tai Lung can't recall seeing before. "I always had a feeling this day would come, but I knew that if I had given in to my worry, it would only come sooner. When we weren't worry."

"We aren't ready." Though his voice takes on a deadpan tone, incredulity takes reign over Tai Lung's face.

Heaving another heavy sigh, Oogway admits with a pitiful voice that sends shivers up the snow leopard's spine. "Yes." For a moment, concern fills his golden eyes, wondering if this was more of an admission of defeat than a simple acknowledgement. That for once, the always calm and collected Oogway has simply given up. As if in response to this silent question, ancient jade irises gaze into his, hopeful just like the smile that now fills his face. "But you will still fight, won't you?"

He has to admit, the turtle had him for a second there. Without hesitation, Tai Lung puts his fist in his palm and bows. "Of course." Knowing full well what threat Ke-Pa poses, it would be foolish to refuse. Besides, he had failed to be a protector in life, may as well succeed in death. In response, Oogway embeds his staff into the ground and reciprocates his student's salute. As they stand back up, Tai Lung gives him a curt nod, "I'll be seeing you, master." He turns away and walks through the golden meadow, buried in the shade of the spirit realm's glorious trees as he muses to himself. Still feels strange to call him that again, after so long. Before he can escape the shade however, Oogway's voice reaches him once more.

"Forgiveness is not a privilege for the 'worthy'." This stops him in his tracks, his eyes fixated on the spirit realm's majestic horizon. Unaware of the black lotus next to his feet. "Risking life and limb will not guarantee such a thing."

A harsh truth to be sure, but a truth nonetheless. One that he is far too aware of. It takes him a few moments to answer back as another memory occupies his mind for a few precious seconds, one that reflects itself in the meadow beneath. Flow petals and blades of grass shift to form a picture, one that ushers a homesick smile from Tai Lung. Yet this smile disappears as quickly as it had come, the snow leopard not turning back as he answers, "I don't seek forgiveness." Silence occupies the space between them for a few moments, allowing him to look at the meadow for a bit longer.

"Not from Shifu at least."

Oogway's gentle voice breaks the silence once again, drawing a puzzled look from Tai Lung. As he turns to ask him what he means, the snow leopard finds himself to be alone, a grand red and black temple being his only company beside the realm's meadow. An unimpressed expression fills his face as he scoffs, "Hmph, you just love doing that, don't you?" With nowhere else to go, he turns around and heads back the way he came, certain that Oogway will bother him again if he follows. But not before giving one last glance at the meadow beneath him. Though his heart tries to tempt another smile from him, Tai Lung beckons it away as he heads back on all-fours, careful not to trample on the flowers that make up that picture.

As he leaves, the black lotus stays for a while longer, cherishing the sight laid before it. A younger Tai Lung and Shifu playing the flute together in the palace courtyard, their melody transposed in the petals that float off the flower petals.

Yep, Tai Lung redemption arc baby! And yes, I know that his character here is different to how he was in KFP 1 but that will be expanded on down the line. And believe me, this is building up to something truly special. As for Ke-Pa... I'll tell you right now, if you hated Nuba and Zhongcheng... I don't know if any of you will be prepared for him. Anyways, enough foreboding stuff, I'll try to get the next chapter done soon so sit tight! Hope you've had a great time reading so far, and until next time :)