The taste of rust and a slight numbness lingered after Allen's palm struck him, and for the first time in years, Tai Lung felt pain; something he'd long since forgotten, thanks to his "shell of swords", the cursed artifact that became an artifact that helped him train.
The leopard smiled, using a paw to wipe the blood from his mouth. He pressed a few points on his body to stop the bleeding and adjusted a broken rib to keep it from puncturing his lung. In just a few seconds, Tai Lung was back in top condition.
Allen narrowed his eyes. This recovery ability was nearly as fast as regeneration, though it required a different approach. Allen couldn't understand how Tai Lung managed it.
The reason was the same as why he was stronger than he should be. That shell had both given Tai Lung a brutal training method and inflicted continuous injuries that, if left unchecked, would have killed him. His body adapted, forcing him to survive. Years of this led to Tai Lung developing miraculous recovery abilities.
So terrifying that people could only watch in awe...
Starfire – Tai Lung killed those guards, and he almost took down the Furious Five… that shouldn't happen…
Gwen – Let's not forget, this isn't a family movie. This world is like ours—no censorship, no control over deaths or violence.
Nikky – Po's in trouble… This guy seems way stronger than he should be.
MJ – I... I still think Po could win... but this Tai Lung seems so much crueler. He might kill a lot of innocent people before Po stops him.
Whis – I can see so much hatred in his eyes. It's a shame because the talent is plain to see in his world...
Jack Sparrow – Captain Jack Sparrow! I still can't tell if these animals in clothes are real or if I'm just drunk, but that cat is a bastard. What kind of world is Kung Fu Panda?
JackBlack – Hey, don't go dissing other people's movies!
McDragon – No one's criticizing your movie… By the way, it's been a while since you stopped by.
JackBlack – Well, I'm an actor, and filming takes a lot of time. Plus, I've got to work on my public image… haven't been doing great lately…
PercyJ – Now that I think about it, JackBlack *was* the original voice of Po… so it's not surprising he'd pop up in this arc.
...
Tai Lung's sharp gaze assessed Allen. "His strength, the fact that he knows Shifu's disciples... everything!" Tai Lung was filled with hostility "You're the Dragon Warrior!"
"..."
Tai Lung wasted no time attacking Allen.
He dug his claws into the ground and launched himself forward, running at high speed. When he reached Allen, he pounced with the ferocity of a predator but the skill of a master.
Allen, for his part, remained calm. He used his palm to deflect Tai Lung's first strike, then deflected the second, and the third.
Allen countered with a punch, but this time Tai Lung bent his body backwards to avoid the attack.
...
Champa – I don't understand why that kid's toying around?!
It was inevitable that many people would think like Champa as Allen's strength was simply absurd, and in that world, his power was not so limited.
Beerus – That's why people underestimate you. He's not playing; he's learning...
Vados – Champa-sama...
Champa – ...!
...
'The way his flexible body moved, how his muscles were perfectly conditioned to maximize his agility, his explosive power, both offensively and defensively...' Allen marveled at Tai Lung's movements, 'That's how a body moves when a master trains in martial arts to the brink of death…'
Allen had faced all kinds of enemies, including himself, but most relied on sheer power, not skill. Tai Lung might not be the most powerful, but Allen knew he could learn a few things from fighting someone like him.
Of course, Allen wasn't the only one who was impressed.
Like Shifu, Tai Lung immediately noticed that Allen had no formal martial arts training. Yet every movement he made showed a past of intense, life-or-death battles.
Not only that… with every blow, with every exchange Tai Lung's astonishment increased.
'This stranger is adapting to my style, learning from my movements in real-time, both consciously and unconsciously… talent? Partly, yes, but those eyes... he's analyzing my moves as he responds.' So this is the Dragon Warrior… what a monster!'
Tai Lung could respect that. The root of his hatred lay in feeling rejected by Oogway as if he were never good enough. By the time he was strong enough to face Shifu, Tai Lung felt it was impossible for him not to be chosen. He believed that Oogway passed him over out of pride or simply didn't like him. But if the Dragon Warrior was truly a power beyond his reach, maybe he could accept that. Just like he eventually acknowledged Po in the fourth movie.
Tai Lung leaped back. "Are you the Dragon Warrior?"
Allen paused. "...No"
Tai Lung's eyes narrowed with disappointment.
An amused smile spread across Allen's face. "But I'm sure the Dragon Warrior won't let you down."
"The Dragon Warrior…" Tai Lung muttered, then fixed his gaze on Allen. "Even if you're not, I'd like to continue this fight!"
"Fine…" Allen appeared in front of him, his palm glowing gold.
Tai Lung was caught off guard by the sudden speed and took a hit, his body flying through several buildings.
Allen wouldn't let it go with one punch so he followed.
"Ahh! Damn it!" He tried to brace himself to minimize the damage. But Allen's heel was already on him. Tai Lung crossed his arms to block, but Allen's guillotine kick drove him into the ground, creating cracks that spread across the village.
"Ahhhhhh!"
Allen wasn't worried about the damage since the system could repair everything, and the villagers were already far away.
...
Kara – This is unfair to Tai Lung, no matter how you look at it…
Rogue – Agreed. Allen-sensei is like having a level 1000 character on a server capped at level 100.
Ruby (JeanGrey) – I don't know much about gaming slang, but yeah, I'd guess it's like that…
Rogue – Liar! After all this time as a viewer, there's no way you don't know gamer lingo. You're just pretending to be more girly to get Allen-sensei's attention!
Ruby – Ara~ I don't want to hear that from a perv like you...
Rogue – Huh?! At least I didn't sneak in to sit in the chair he used yesterday like some crazy person!
Ruby – Shut up! You're still worse!
Kitty – Is this going to be a regular thing from now on? -_-
Cate – So childish...
Rogue – Shut it, Cate. I know you have a stash of stolen men's underwear in your bag! Whose are they, Miss Dunlap?
Ruby – Kitty, I know you've been trying to figure out where Allen's private room is in the X Mansion!
Cate – That's a lie!
Kitty – Not true!
While the chat did their best to ignore the girls' squabble, Allen landed on the ground near where Tai Lung had been buried.
...
(Allen will be attacked by his students someday 🍷🗿)
...
Tigress, Viper, Mantis, and Crane—who had recovered enough—watched the battle in awe.
Though it had seemed evenly matched at first, Allen's speed and strength had exploded out of nowhere, with him never losing his earlier composure.
Tai Lung stood no chance, yet unexpectedly, he didn't give up. Tai Lung leaped from the ground, putting some distance between himself and Allen.
The leopard surveyed his surroundings and then punched a thick wall; the wall broke into big pieces, and Tai Lung kicked chunks of debris at Allen with the force of a siege catapult.
Allen could have easily destroyed or deflected them, but he chose a different approach.
Allen stopped moving. So abruptly that even the wind and sound seemed to pause.
Allen extended his hand toward the first piece of debris, which was the size of a person...
"…!" Tai Lung's eyes widened with disbelief.
So simple, so slow... the chunk of the wall came to a gentle halt, making no sound at all. As if the force it brought was a physical object and Allen had thrown it away.
Allen set it down beside him and continued doing the same with the others, stacking the fragments into two towers by his side.
"…" Tai Lung smiled, unsure why, but he liked Allen. Maybe because, in his eyes, Allen wasn't a pacifist like Oogway or a coward like Shifu.
Tai Lung could feel that Allen wouldn't hesitate to kill him if he truly wanted to. Allen wasn't the Dragon Warrior, nor was he Tai Lung's destined opponent, but fighting him felt good.
Tai Lung lunged at Allen, this time targeting Allen's pressure points.
Of course, Allen wouldn't allow it and deflected Tai Lung's claw, then struck his chest. But Tai Lung didn't fly back. The leopard only laughed with blood at his mouth as he grabbed Allen's arm.
Allen realized Tai Lung had let himself be hit on purpose to get an opening to strike him.
Tai Lung didn't hold back, hitting Allen's chest, only to be stopped by a golden glow surrounding Allen's body.
"Impossible… is that Chi?!"
Allen smiled. "I see that Shifu taught you well, but he didn't teach you everything..."
Allen struck Tai Lung with his fist as a bright light exploded in all directions, sweeping across the village and the surrounding bamboo forest.
Tai Lung dropped to his knees, staring in disbelief, unable to comprehend that he was facing such a young Chi master. A moment ago he felt that Allen could have killed him if he had wanted to.
"..." Allen watched Tai Lung in silence. Previously, Allen had been joking. Shifu couldn't have taught Tai Lung how to wield Chi because even now, Shifu was still learning it himself.
Tai Lung sighed in frustration, though he maintained his proud expression. Losing was infuriating, but if the gap in strength was so overwhelming, he wasn't one to complain.
"Kill me!"
The leopard didn't ask for mercy or plead. His eyes held the same hateful glare as before; his heart still burned for vengeance. However, the harsh reality remained that only the strong have the right to bend the world to their will.
Tai Lung couldn't even attempt his revenge.
Allen cocked his head slightly and then sketched a half smile as a thought crossed his mind. "Are you sure? You might still be able to defeat me..."
"What?!"
"With the Dragon Scroll..."
Tai Lung's eyes widened in amazement. Twenty years ago, he had tried to steal the Dragon Scroll, which rested above the Jade Palace's Inner Pool.
That Dragon Scroll was an artifact meant only for the Dragon Warrior, rumored to contain secrets left for the chosen one.
Tai Lung narrowed his eyes, suspecting that Allen was toying with him.
"What are you planning?!"
"Why don't you compete against Po to prove who is the true Dragon Warrior..."
As soon as Allen finished his words, the Furious Five landed, leaving Tai Lung no time to respond.
"Honorable guest!" Tigress approached, holding his immobile arm. The looks on the faces of all five Furious Five members were the same—none could believe or accept what was happening.
Allen smiled slightly. "I know none of you have accepted that Po is the Dragon Warrior... Tai Lung was like you; he was not accepted as the dragon warrior, and I want to give him a chance for that title..."
"That's..." Tigress clenched her teeth. She had lost to Tai Lung, but that didn't mean she accepted that this panda could be the Dragon Warrior. "But..."
"..." Tai Lung was no different. He was weaker than Allen, but if he managed to obtain the Dragon Scroll, he might have a chance.
"Honorable guest, that man is a killer and a criminal," Viper pleaded. "If you let him go, there will be consequences!"
"Don't worry, that won't happen...I will take responsibility"
Allen's gaze grew cold as he looked at Tai Lung. This time, the warrior felt his blood freeze, unlike the cold of the eternal prison he had endured for twenty years.
"...!!!" Tai Lung opened his mouth, but no words came out. He had never felt such terror for anything or anyone.
"Tai Lung, you lost. Losers have no right to complain. Fight against Po, become stronger, and then you'll earn the right to challenge me again... of course, if you lose again, you'll be the biggest joke of all..."
Tai Lung closed his mouth and eyes, then opened them again with a murderous intent. "Don't regret it. Fine, I'll fight and won't hold back against this so-called Dragon Warrior!"
"That sounds good. I don't need to remind you that you're forbidden from killing from now on. In three days, go to the Valley of Peace to settle your destiny..."
Tai Lung said nothing more and got up to leave, but before he did, he turned and showed Allen a respectful salute.
Allen smiled. Being a ruthless villain doesn't mean you can't show respect to others.
...
Barbara – I don't fully agree, but I'll trust your judgment.
Antiope – That leopard will honor the agreement, at least until it has defeated the panda.
Diana – Even someone who's fallen into darkness can have the honor of a warrior, so I don't believe Tai Lung will break his word either.
...
The Furious Five looked uneasy but had no choice but to accept this and report it to Shifu exactly as they'd heard.
Allen approached Mantis and released the paralysis, doing the same for Tigress.
"Thank you..."
Hearing Tigress say thank you surprised everyone, even Allen.
"..."
"What?!" Tigress frowned as if she didn't like the image people had of her.
Allen chuckled with amusement. "You're welcome."
Rick – You're one step away from being a furry.
"...!" Allen froze at the remark, and several people burst out laughing.
"Cranes, take Monkey ahead to treat his wounds!" Tigress, feeling uncomfortable, started to walk away.
"Understood."
Crane approached Monkey, who was lying on the ground, to carry him, but Allen stopped him.
"Maybe I can help him..."
Allen recovered from his momentary shock, knelt beside Monkey, closed his eyes, and a golden circle appeared on the ground surrounding both him and Monkey.
A gentle golden aura enveloped Allen...
This aura wasn't oppressive, dangerous, or overwhelming; rather, it was like the warm rays of morning sunlight or a spring breeze after winter.
Unlike using ki, Allen was using his Chi to help Monkey heal. Needless to say, this application of Chi was even more suitable than using it in battle.
Monkey moved as his pained expression was replaced with one of peace. Allen stayed by his side a moment longer before standing up.
The Furious Five looked at him in astonishment, offering him as much respect as they would to Oogway himself.
"Go ahead, I'll take care of the rest."
Allen preferred not to show them how he'd repair the village. Otherwise, so many mental shocks would fry the Furious Five's brains.
Crane lifted the sleeping Monkey and flew off, while Mantis and Viper did the same. Tigress gave Allen one last look before departing.
Allen waited until he couldn't sense anyone else, and then the system began to repair the village.
Ivy – Director Walker, if you used your power to work in construction, you'd never have financial problems...
Harleen – Not just construction—he could be a professional demolisher too... After all, Allen will have a lot of mouths to feed in the future hahaha...
Allen blinked and shrugged at Harleen's comment, he could no longer deny it.
...
At the Jade Palace, Shifu wore a look of disbelief as he heard what had happened.
Tai Lung had defeated his disciples with ease!
Tai Lung had faced the honored guest and lost!
The guest of honor would let Tai Lung face Po for the Dragon Warrior title in three days!
The honored guest is a Chi master!
It was all too much for Shifu, and he struggled to process it.
"Master, what do we do?" Tigress asked, concerned.
Shifu clasped his hands behind his back and began to pace. "Nothing!... Master Oogway will decide..."
"No, no, no! You're not expecting me to face the legendary Tai Lung! He'll kill me, or worse, HE'LL POUND ME INTO A PULP!"
Po panicked, and the Furious Five had little faith in Po. If he lost, Tai Lung would claim the Dragon Scroll, and there was still the risk he'd become invincible from it.
"Panda!"
"Yes!"
"To training! We're training to the death or you'll really die!"
"Understood, Master Shifu!"
The panda was motivated by his fear of death and quickly followed Shifu.
...
Allen walked up to Oogway's peach tree, where the elder remained in a meditative lotus position.
"..."
"Master Oogway, aren't you going to ask why I made that decision?"
"Do I need to?..."
Oogway already said it, the past is history, and it would not change anything even if Allen's decision was questioned.
Allen sighed, "No."
Oogway smiled, "I am curious though..."
Allen laughed and sat down with Oogway, "Master Oogway, I am transient... I can't be here forever... this world needs its dragon warrior..."
"Wow, that's very kind of you"
"No need to thank. I like this world, master Oogway, and I prefer it to remain peaceful... I've seen too many apocalypses..."
Oogway looked at Allen silently before sighing, "Then let's hope our panda wins..."
"If he doesn't... I'll kill him..." threatened Allen and Po felt chills as he walked in with Shifu.
Oogway and Allen laughed...
===
A/N: Tai Lung- Manners maketh a man... a leopard 🍷🗿
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