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.

A little New Years Gift for those who are reading it. I will be posting a bit more periodically, every week or two. I hope you all enjoy.

-The Odd Dreamer

Sacrifice

I was the first to move. I launch myself at the heavy back end of the nearby cannon, toppling it over the bow of the ship. My feet back flip me to the stern of the sinking vessel. As it flips over, I casually land on the archway; the upturned craft easily blocking the waterway.

Master Boar leaps from a boat's mast and crashes down in-between two boats like a cannon ball himself, causing them to collide with one another. A strong attempt, but not enough as the ships' sails intertwine and prevent further capsizing.

Master Shifu calls out, "Crane, now!" His experience and intelligence shows. He found the opportunity and capitalized just as I found it existed. Crane flies high in the sky and calls out, "Wings of Justice!" His odd battle cry follows through, but more importantly, his powerful burst of wind catches in the tangled sails. The boats ram into the already blocked canal, further destroying any attempt Shen has at escape.

I gaze down at the sight. With the ships overturned and blocking the way, every other ship crashes and fails to even begin the maiden voyage. My eyes find Shen in the back. His expression of shock is almost delicious. My hatred and rage burn my core, freed from my physical chains and bonds of self loathing. That creature, that took someone so precious from me, will pay on this night. I will end this battle.

I leap from my perch and back into the fray. The nine of us gather and swiftly defeat each wolf on our course. I bathe in the scent of fear as the pups begin to abandon the fight, scattering away while only the few who stand between us and Shen continue their meager stand. With each contact, the heat burns hotter, and a sinister satisfaction flows to my claws. I should not feel this way, but every step closer to the albino desecration brings me a pleasure I have never felt. Is this the power that Tia Lung used against us? This rage?

My senses return me, as fireworks explode behind us. We all soar in unison, but my claws and roar are aimed for only one. I am so close; I can hear his cowardly caw. Is this the power that only the Dragon Warrior could defeat? Is it right for me to use this? Should I even have such power within me?

His scream returns me to the present. His frightened squawk is mouth-watering, "Why aren't we firing?" His pup responds in a dull astonishment, "They're taking out our gunners, sir. They're getting too close!"

Another few wolves are tossed aside, my eyes meet his, and I can feel the panic in his voice, "Fire! Fire at them!" Again, his pup responds, and for once, the pup proves he is not as corrupt as his master, "But, sir, we'll kill our own!" This is not right… I should not feel this way…

My roar is invigorated by the fight. We are only a two ships from our goal, a few meters away from a lunging strike to end this battle permanently. His shameless order only speeds my movement, "I said fire at them! Fire!" For once, the pup shows true honor, as I barely hear him mutter, "No." The great Lord Shen, now about to face true justice crumples in fear and desperation. He kills his own man, perhaps the last pawn he has. Po would not want me to use this wicked strength…

We are not close enough as Shen flies back and readies his claw alongside the fuses of his oversized cannon. My eyes find Mantis and I know what to do.

"Mantis!" I call, extending my paw. He reacts before he realizes my plan. Good. He grabs me and launches me to the main cannon with all his might. The world slows down. I feel my rage focus my senses beyond what I thought was possible. …Po… You died searching for your missing pieces. You died unfulfilled, lost, and alone. I will right that wrong, Po…

I see Shen aim his cannon, his only defense, his last hope, to me, and at my family. I am but a few meters away from the mouth of his weapon. ...If there is a path in the land here after…Po…I will find you…I will not let you take those final steps into the land of our ancestors alone…You will not pass into the land of the Immortals without knowing how much you mean to all of us… to me…

His claw flicks and the fuse burns brightly. The infernal hiss seems to go on and on. I can smell the chemicals inside the maw of this creation, I can see down its' throat and almost touch its' lips.

…And I will meet you, as I am, as you know me… As only you know me… Not tainted by hatred, or rage… but redeemed by warmth, by friendship, and by family…When I find you…Po…I will thank you properly…

The belch of fire begins. I can see the explosive travel through the iron dragon's jaws. Its' eyes flare with the blaze surging from its' belly. It dances at me, like the rain on a sunny afternoon. I extend my fists, using all my strength, every last once of what I am to block the destruction. …I can stop the rain…

There is a flash, a flare, and then white.

Nothing but white. Am I alive? No, I can still feel. Am I blind? My muddled vision does not help. I cannot comprehend the vast white I see. No, my vision is not obscured. This place is full of fog, and mist. Where am I? I clumsily try to move forward, but my body does not react properly. I am not missing any limbs, and nothing seems broken or useless…What is going on?

Before I realize it, he stands before me. With his cane, his old crooked smile, and his impenetrable shell. Grand Master Oogway. I simply stare at him as he chuckles down at me. He offers me his hand, helping me stand. My shock barely wavers as he speaks.

"Ah, welcome Master Tigress, greatest pupil of my dear Shifu. Welcome, to the realm hereafter. Welcome, to the land of the dead."