The cannon roared, its deafening blast echoing through the palace courtyard. A fiery ball of metal hurtled toward Po, splitting the air with its sheer force and heat. Po didn't flinch; his expression remained calm, almost serene.
As the projectile neared him, Po reached behind his back, pulling two hidden blades linked by a glistening chain. With a fluid motion, he swung the blades in a wide arc. The chain caught the cannonball mid-air, the force of the impact vibrating through the weapon. With a sharp twist, Po split the cannonball in two, sending the halves hurtling to the ground on either side of him.
The courtyard fell silent, save for the soft clinking of Po's chain as he coiled it back into his hands.
Shen's eyes widened in disbelief. "Impossible," he hissed, his voice trembling with a mixture of awe and fury.
"Gotta admit," Po said, giving his chain a little twirl, "that was pretty dramatic. But you're gonna need more than that to take me down."
Shen let out a guttural scream and leaped from his position, closing the gap between them. His bladed feathers glinted in the sunlight as he flung them at Po in rapid succession. The panda moved with fluid precision, deflecting each blade with his weapons, the sound of clashing metal ringing out like a deadly symphony.
"Stand still, you oversized fool!" Shen snarled, his voice cracking under the weight of his desperation.
Shen lunged, his twin swords flashing as he struck at Po. Each swing was faster, more erratic than the last. But Po moved like water, dodging and parrying with an effortless grace.
"You know," Po said, sidestepping another wild strike, "I've faced some pretty tough opponents. You're... not one of them."
Shen's feathers bristled as his attacks grew rougher, his form crumbling under his frustration. His strikes lost all semblance of discipline, his once-masterful movements devolving into reckless, clumsy swings.
Po watched with a mix of pity and disappointment. "You're better than this, Shen. Or at least, I thought you were."
Suddenly, Shen's eyes darted toward the Furious Six, standing a short distance away. His beak curled into a sinister grin as he raised a claw and signaled toward the shadows.
Po's eyes narrowed. Time seemed to slow as he saw the massive cannon being wheeled into place, its barrel aimed directly at his friends.
"No," Po muttered, his heart pounding. In an instant, he vanished, reappearing in front of the Furious Six just as the cannon fired.
The massive cannonball roared through the air, its trajectory set to obliterate everything in its path. Po planted his feet firmly, raising his hands as a golden aura enveloped him.
Heavenly Hand of Defense.
The cannonball slammed into his outstretched palms, the force of the impact rippling through the ground like an earthquake. Po's body absorbed the energy, his chi glowing brighter with each passing second. With a mighty roar, he redirected the energy, sending a massive shockwave laced with golden chi hurtling back toward the cannon.
The cannon exploded in a fiery blaze, the resulting shockwave knocking Shen off his feet.
Shen scrambled to his feet, his feathers singed and his composure shattered. He clutched a blade in trembling hands, his eyes wide with fear and hatred.
Po stepped toward him, his expression cold. The air around him seemed to hum with power, his chi swirling like a storm.
"You're done, Shen," Po said, his voice low and steady. "This ends now."
Shen lunged one final time, his blade aimed at Po's heart. But Po moved faster, his paw striking Shen's chest with a precise, chi-infused blow. The energy surged through Shen's body, rendering him motionless.
For a moment, Po hesitated, his anger bubbling to the surface. The chi within him lashed out, unbridled and uncontrollable. A brilliant flash of golden light erupted from his body, striking Shen with the force of a tidal wave.
When the light faded, Shen lay motionless on the ground, his body broken.
Po stood over Shen's lifeless body, his chest heaving as he struggled to regain control. The golden glow around him dimmed, and his hands fell to his sides.
"I didn't want it to end like this," Po muttered, his voice tinged with sorrow. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. "I'm sorry, Shen. For everything."
Behind him, the Furious Six stood in stunned silence, their expressions a mix of shock and understanding.
Po turned to them, his gaze steady. "It's over," he said. "But this... this wasn't the way it was supposed to end."
As the dust settled, the group stood together, the weight of what had just transpired heavy on their shoulders. The battle for Gongmen City was won, but the cost would linger in their hearts for a long time to come.