I do not own Kung Fu Panda or any character of such series, as it is all owned by Dreamworks and Paramount Pictures. Please watch the movies and television show to watch the original product, particularly the movies as they are very good.

I bring to you a story of a different path. If you haven't seen Kung Fu Panda 2, I request that you do so before reading this story. Thank you for your time, and please, any feedback would be welcome. I hope you enjoy this first step.

-The Odd Dreamer

Fate and Destiny

I was first behind the crates, and I was quickly followed by Monkey, Viper, and Crane. They swiftly move beside me as we hid behind some crates. We peer ever so delicately overhead. The scent of fire, molten metal, and wisps of fireworks filled my senses. Before us stood Lord Shen's factory. The red pillars of light spear the darkness as the doors open, revealing the belly of this beast. The wolves push in carts full of the scraps of metal they've stolen from Gongmen city. My eyes dart to a small flash of light, as Mantis had found our solution in ending this place…

"Come on, let's go." I whisper.

"I can't feel my face…" Mantis jokes. Despite the ominous mood, he makes a joke. Thank you. My dread for this place of destruction is only matched by… Tia Lung. My body shakes the memories away, the task at hand must happen. Monkey and Crane gather along as many barrels of fireworks as they can and place them atop a cart as I begin my run, pushing the cart with all my strength.

I hear Mantis' battle cry as a glimmer of red fire settles in monkey's hand. Viper quickly slinks in along my shoulders, ready to move. In this hellish place, her cold scales feel refreshing against my skin.

I grunt as I make my final push. The cart rolls in, and the wolves inside suddenly change their expressions from careless to pleading. I finally get a true glimpse of the factory. The bamboo scaffolding rises high above my head, and Shen's fire seems to force a redness to drench every shadow. It is like walking into the maw of a hellhound.

"Here's your New Year's gift!" Monkey quips, goading on the wolves to frantically try and save themselves.

"Hope you like it, 'cause you can't return it!" Mantis jokes again, adding the final insult to injury. I dust my shoulder, as Monkey does the same. I feel a sense of relief as I turn away, away from the fire and brimstone this place seems to bleed, but inside I hear a voice. A scream. Po.

We all turn, "Po? What's he doing here?" My voice is first, but my mind races. No. Not here Po. Why did you not stay back with Master Ox and Croc? Why did you not listen and stay safe? I can feel fear and desperation flow upwards from my legs as my eyes refocus on the burning fireworks, barely noting that Po is facing Shen a few meters above us.

I hear Monkey scream, "Return it! Return it!" Before my legs freeze, I already move towards the barrels, my paws singe and burn against the fire. I cannot register the pain, but I can taste it in the air. I can smell Crane and Monkey's burnt flesh as they join my fruitful endeavor of saving Lord Shen's creation of Armageddon. The wolves soon surround us, but it is only wishful thinking on their part if they believe they are a threat. Seconds speed by as we easily toss aside these toothless pups. Their kung fu is sad. I can only hope the wolves do not fall to their doom in the molten pit Shen has created, but our task is too important to nitpick our attacks. I hear Po's battle cry, then cry of frustration and pain. Shen must have countered and hurt him.

I wish I could stop myself, but I feel the heat in my core travel to my fists. I can feel my fangs bare, my strength rise beyond my restrictions as I swiftly kick and toss every furry obstruction to my path.

Mantis calls out, "We got them, go!" I barely hear it over the anger bubbling in my soul, but enough to react. My legs part as I leap past the steps and kick two wolves away. Before I make another move to Po, there is a loud crunch. Suddenly, a monster of muscle and fur looms over me. Gorilla. He roars and raises his trunk sized arms over my head. I can not control the growl that grows in my throat as I side step his powerful, but clumsy, attack. My fists and kicks connect to his frame, but I can feel the rock of muscle underneath the fat and heavy covering of fur. Even if he did feel my blows, it is clear they are not enough to stop him. Po screams and his voice echoes in the distance. The heat spreads through me like the red that infects from this place.

I attack, striking and beating the wolves that try to intervene as I continue to counter and thwart the Gorilla from ending my battle. I hear Po's battle cry, sensations of victory spread through me as the echo of a retreating peacock call is made. Yes Po, if you are to fight, then win and end this nightmare. End the monster who took your past. I see the blur of white and black fur run past and quickly toppled by a pile of wolves.

"Po!" I call, hoping to get his attention, and bring him back to sanity, but I can see in his eyes a focus that I have not seen before. What must he feel to cause such pain? I feel a wave of dread, what if my Po is losing the battle within? I kick a nearby pup into the wolves holding him down and knock them off the scaffold. The scent of burnt flesh and fur attack my senses, but Po gets up and runs as if nothing had happened.

Pure muscle entraps me as the gorilla manages a hold on me, "Po, get away from him!" My voice nearly cracks. I must get to him; I need to save him from this place. The desperation and anger rush into my fists as I push aside the gorilla with all my might... but a belch of fire and a flash of a spiraling inferno cause Po to disappear.

I feel so heavy, so slow, so weak. My body moves beyond my strength, beyond my control as I hear my voice burst in desperation," No!"

Then it all falls back into the reddish hue that infests this place. The far wall is ripped apart with a hole the same size as my closest, dearest friend. Everything is silent, as if the universe itself holds its' breath. After a moment, I can hear the rain. A white flash allows thunder follow. The world spins in darkness and red. I feel no pain, but I feel something essential, something I was not aware of, break. I realize, at that moment, that all my experience and knowledge of pain cannot describe the sensation of losing something so dear.