(Days Later)
The valley of peace usually begins its days with warm rays of sunshine that evaporate the dew from the flowers and leaves of the trees. Everyone opens their eyes knowing it's the start of a new day of peace and prosperity, all thanks to the Valley of Peace being under the protection of the Jade Palace and its great masters of martial arts.
However, today the atmosphere felt different... The sun's rays were unexpectedly cold... and the air was dry… the breeze was silent, and even the mighty Jade Palace looked somber.
Standing on the steps were Po, alongside Shifu and the Furious Five behind them.
Today, everything was different; the villagers were leaving the Valley of Peace in an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear. It wasn't the same a few days ago before the news of Tai Lung's escape from prison finally spread like wildfire across China.
It's no exaggeration to say that Tai Lung was like the monster under the bed for children. His legend wasn't overstated, but it seemed almost surreal that a prison had been created just for him.
Many people didn't even believe he existed; after all, it had been twenty years since his attempt to steal the Dragon Scroll and his subsequent defeat at Oogway's hands.
While people were leaving the Valley of Peace, someone was moving in the opposite direction. Covered by a cloak, he passed by those exiting the valley. This caught some people's attention, but his dangerous aura kept them from approaching.
A distracted child bumped into Tai Lung, who was about to apologize but froze in fear when he saw the face beneath the cloak.
Tai Lung extended his paw toward the child or rather, toward the rag doll he had dropped and handed it back. Tai Lung may be many things, but he has a warrior's honor and intends to keep his promise not to harm anyone until the battle.
...
Po was nervous; he was about to face a terrifying opponent. At the same time, he was thrilled, as it was his dream to stand alongside the masters he had always admired, fighting against the forces of evil.
While the panda daydreamed, Shifu looked grave. The panda had improved significantly, but to be sure, Shifu decided to give Po the Dragon Scroll, hoping its secrets would boost his power.
The result was not only that his strength didn't increase, but Shifu fell into despair upon discovering that the Dragon Scroll contained nothing. It was just a scroll of paper with a gold reflective lining.
Po also grew nervous, and both went to find Oogway, only to realize he was nowhere to be found.
Allen, the second option who would be there during the fight, also claimed not to know the scroll's meaning (though he was lying).
Shifu lost confidence in Po's ability to win, but there was no turning back now. Unlike in a battle where retreat is an option, this was an arranged fight. Po had to fight; otherwise, the title of Dragon Warrior would forever be tarnished.
...
Standing on the steps, Shifu looked at the sky, which darkened with storm clouds.
"This weather doesn't sit well with me, Master…" said Tigress from behind Shifu. It was strange to have storm clouds during this season, and for them to coincide with Po and Tai Lung's showdown seemed like a joke from the heavens.
Monkey swallowed nervously. "It's like the weather is predicting a tragedy…"
Viper sharpened her gaze. "I can feel it in the air.. that villain has already reached the Valley of Peace…"
"Watch out for his immobilizing attacks. One hit and it's over," Mantis took advantage of the last moments to keep advising.
Allen, watching from an inconspicuous roof, smiled. The training Po went through was tougher than anything they had done, and the panda endured it. This earned him the respect of the Furious Five, who at least recognized Po for it.
Crane looked at Po in silence. "Panda... Po, you don't have to do it alone. You've already proven you're a warrior."
"We can't!" Shifu said harshly as he shook his head.
An outsider might think, why let Po fight alone?
Wouldn't it be better if they all attacked together?
Regardless of whether Tai Lung's intentions were good or bad, he respected the conditions Allen had set. He hadn't killed anyone and had come on the specified day at the designated time. Doing something underhanded would forever tarnish the Jade Palace's name.
Allen stared at everything calmly; his eyes glanced at Po and then turned to Tai Lung, who was approaching from afar. "It's a world full of warriors where honor is sometimes more important than life."
The cards had been dealt...
"It seems Tai Lung has also improved over these days… Master Oogway," said Allen.
Next to Allen appeared a swirl of peach petals that became Oogway. He looked into the distance with regret. "He was always a talent destined for greatness... whether it was to bring chaos or peace, that hasn't changed…"
Allen knew his intervention had caused changes in both Po and Tai Lung. Whether this would bring a good result only time will tell.
...
Athena – I'm sure you've noticed by now. I don't know if it's by coincidence or due to your existence, but all the opponents, antagonists, and villains of the worlds you visit show almost absurd levels of improvement.
Allen already knew it wasn't something he hadn't considered before.
Doomsday… Superman… Voldemort… Homelander and Stan Edgar—even Tai Lung recently, whether intellectually or in terms of power... All were stronger and/or smarter.
(A/N: Marvel villains aren't mentioned because Allen lacks knowledge of their standard versions for comparison.)
Felicia – Even Void claimed to be stronger than he should have been… and he was really strong…
Gwen – You don't mean to say it's Allen's fault, do you? *Frowning*
Rias – Well, there could be another possibility: Allen visits worlds where the enemy's power is higher than it should be…
Akeno – Ara~ but if only the bad guys were stronger, doesn't that mean that without Allen's existence… those worlds were destined for a bad ending…
The so-called multiverse opens doors to the many possibilities of a story. That includes the "What If" scenarios where heroes lose…
Allen narrowed his eyes. In Marvel Zombies, the world ended in every sense of the word; in DC, Darkseid won and turned Superman into his slave.
Barbara – In The Boys, Stan Edgar proved to be a terrifying opponent. He made the Supes more dangerous and powerful, his puppets. Would someone like him have lost against Butcher and The Boys?
Thor – For Odin, do you mean Allen visits doomed worlds?!
Hestia – Wait, that sounds terrifying…
Nikky – Just as Tigress said, if Allen hadn't been there, she and the other Five would have died… That wasn't supposed to happen.
...
Allen opened his eyes after hearing what everyone was saying. The worlds Allen has visited are either amid an apocalypse, or their villains are far more dangerous than they should be. This has led some to wonder if, without Allen's intervention, could the hero or protagonist even win?
Allen knows very well that DC has stories where the villain wins, or where the universe dies, is destroyed, or everything turns into a nightmare. He's already seen two worlds like that.
Allen laughed at himself. It had been a long time since he'd felt unlucky. Still, it wasn't a serious problem.
[I.M] "Regardless, that only gives me justification so no one feels guilty if I change something in the world haha."
Allen might have worried before. Even now, it's not as if he simply ignores something like this, but his confrontation with Void made him mentally stronger and less susceptible to difficult situations. Plus, his time in this world helped him improve his ability to accept things more easily. But If someone truly tries to manipulate his path, they'll have to give explanations or face his wrath if they don't satisfy him with their answers. For now, Allen can simply blame it on his bad luck.
...
Allen stopped dwelling on these thoughts and focused on the palace steps. The stormy sky loomed above as Po stood there, dressed in a red cloak and a caping (asian conical hat).
These were gifts from Allen. Po couldn't believe they looked exactly as they did in his dreams, almost as if Allen had seen them himself. Allen couldn't help but imagine Po's reaction if he ever learned that he could indeed see his dream of becoming the Dragon Warrior.
The sky roared and almost as if on cue, Tai Lung appeared with the crack of thunder.
"...Tai Lung..." Shifu thought he was mentally prepared, or so he believed, but seeing Tai Lung up close made him momentarily lose his strength, his expression briefly turning pale.
"Oh, come on… is that any way to greet your son?~" Tai Lung sneered.
If he ever loved Shifu, that love had ended after spending twenty years locked away in a cell. Now, all that remained was rage, hatred, pain, and resentment toward the man he once called father.
"You are not my son—not after all you did!"
"What did I do?! You abandoned me!!"
"No! You abandoned yourself when you tried to steal the Dragon Scroll!"
"It was meant for me!" Tai Lung ripped off his cloak, revealing his form. "I am the Dragon Warrior, and you always knew it! But when Oogway said otherwise, tell me—what did you do? Nothing!"
"I…"
"You filled me with dreams! You made me train until my bones broke! WHO DENIED ME MY DESTINY?!"
The Furious Five grew uncomfortable; it was one thing to hear that Shifu was Tai Lung's adoptive father, but hearing this conversation firsthand was entirely different. Po, too, felt uneasy, as if he shouldn't intervene in this exchange.
Shifu pursed his lips, wanting to scold Tai Lung, saying that even if it was true he bore some responsibility, Tai Lung's reaction was unjustified. Being rejected as the Dragon Warrior didn't justify his actions, turning against the Jade Palace and forsaking mercy. But Shifu couldn't; he didn't want to... instead, his expression became one of lamentation.
"I… I loved you too much… so much that I couldn't see or didn't want to see... what you were becoming. I didn't discipline you when I should have, and for that, I blame myself… you didn't deserve to go through what you did…"
Tai Lung took a step back, not expecting those words from Shifu.
"It's too late…" Tai Lung shook his head, his heart still harbored hatred, still held darkness.
Shifu knew it, too; too much time had passed, and words could no longer reach Tai Lung.
Tai Lung looked away from Shifu before he lost his mind and attacked him. His gaze shifted to the panda, the only one among them he didn't know.
"A panda? The Dragon Warrior is a panda?"
"Yes, I am the Dragon Warrior…" Po responded by doing his best to ignore the discomfort he felt upon learning of Tai Lung's relationship as Shifu's adopted son.
Tai Lung looked Po up and down—his round body and short legs. Far from a warrior, he looked like someone who'd struggle with a staircase (which was true).
Tai Lung laughed but then grew annoyed. "What kind of joke is this, Shifu? Did you let the real Dragon Warrior escape and leave me a decoy?"
"Hey!" Po shouted. He had gained enough courage after the training and could now stand in front of Tai Lung. "No matter if you believe it or not, I'm Po, the Dragon Warrior!"
The leopard growled, but if Po was the true dragon warrior, he would find out right now.
"Well, Po… ready to fight?..."
Though Tai Lung's words seemed mocking, they carried an intense bloodlust. To Tai Lung, Po was the imposter, the one who'd taken his place, his right, his role. His hatred for the Dragon Warrior was surpassed only by his hatred for Shifu.
...
Tigress furrowed her brow; the intensity, violence, and danger emanating from Tai Lung were even greater than when they'd fought him before.
Monkey, who had suffered most under Tai Lung's attacks, was sweating, and Crane looked as though he wanted to be anywhere else.
"Don't be pathetic!"
Tigress couldn't help shouting, interrupting Po and Tai Lung's exchange.
Tai Lung frowned mockingly, "There's no place for losers to talk"
"Then you should keep quiet too," Tigress sneered back at him with contempt, "Or have you forgotten that you lost as well?"
Tai Lung's mocking smile shifted to anger, but Tigress ignored him and focused on her teammates. Po was the Dragon Warrior, chosen by Oogway. Perhaps this scenario was not for them, but they could not show weakness.
Tigress growled, her voice charged with determination, "Look down there. The villagers have been forced out of their homes, their lives interrupted. They trust us, and no matter what happens—even if we pay with our lives—we can't back down. Isn't that right?!"
The Furious Five were stunned, as was Shifu himself. Allen smiled. Could one say his intervention here was unnecessary?
If that were so, how could Chat's audience see moments like this that never happened?
Tigress looked Tai Lung in the eyes. "I don't care who the Dragon Warrior is, but if your goal is to destroy the Valley of Peace, you'll have to kill us first…"
Monkey was the first to stand beside Tigress, followed by Viper, Crane, and Mantis.
"…" Tai Lung reevaluated Tigress, "Seems you're not as worthless as I thought… let's hope your Dragon Warrior doesn't disappoint!"
Po felt the urge to ask for autographs but restrained himself to avoid ruining the Dragon Warrior's image.
"Well said…"
Tai Lung's eyes widened as Allen appeared beside him. Unconsciously, he stepped back. Still, he had no intention of fleeing, and his eyes showed no fear—only caution.
"You'll keep your promise?" Tai Lung wanted Allen's word before starting the fight.
Allen held out the Dragon Scroll.
"Tai Lung, I'll keep my word. I won't intervene to save Po, and if you win, I'll give you the Dragon Scroll."
Tai Lung seemed satisfied with Allen's response. To him, a Chi master wouldn't lie outright at the cost of his honor and credibility.
Tai Lung turned his focus to Po. Allen observed Po's slight nervousness, but he also saw an aura that hadn't been there before.
'Tai Lung is terrifying, but compared to Allen…' thought Po
One of the reasons Allen had shown little sympathy in training Po was to help him lose his fear of facing someone terrifying.
Allen nodded in satisfaction at the results of training Po. He looked at Shifu and he and the furious five walked away.
"Start whenever you wish," Allen disappeared as he said his words.
...
Kratos – Tai Lung… so much uncontrollable rage… reminds me of my past… if Po does not stop him, he'll burn everything and everyone, including himself…
Artoria – I expected the panda to win after Allen's hard training, but Tai Lung has grown stronger too.
Gilgamesh – This… could be interesting…
Beerus – I like this world, pure martial arts at its finest.
Asia – I hope no one dies. It's sad to mar such a peaceful land with tragedy.
...
Tai Lung closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them, he charged at Po with a fierce roar full of rage.
Po watched Tai Lung approach, and with that, the fierce battle between Tai Lung and Po began.
===
A/N Well, the mini-arc is over and it's time to go to the main course.
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