I read this story in its entirety a few days back, and it's been haunting me ever since. I can't say that its ending was a happy one, but it was true to form, and appropriate for a character like Shen. There are moments that just play again and again for me - like when Shen finally uncovered Min's deception and lost control. Even then, when he was being so scary and violent, she did try to reach out to him and remind him of his choices. I thought that showed a lot of progress in her character. Thank you for not pairing them together, too; I like them as friends, and romance would have felt out of place and forced in this story.

Although I felt like the story's winding down was more rushed and less powerful than the rest of it, and I really think the Soothsayer and Po both could have been utilized and developed better, this story has stayed with me. It made me think through some of the tough questions posed throughout - on morality and loyality and mental illness - and that's rare in fanfiction. Favorited. Thank you for the read.

Ok, where do I start? I'm not kidding when I say that this is probably the best Shen redemption fic I've ever read on this site, but maybe the best KFP fic I've ever read. It was definitely worth the time I spent looking for a decent Shen fic after being disappointed by so many others. There are plenty of reasons why I think this one is superior, but anyway, here are some of them.
1. A compelling, well-written plot almost completely devoid of cliches. I'm so happy that Chapter 1 wasn't devoted to futilely explaining how someone could survive having a 600-ton cannon fall on top of them. This story wisely chose to diverge from canon and still have the storyline make sense.
2. A mature, controlled writing style. It honestly is aggravating seeing a story riddled with grammar and spelling errors, or worse, written with a sloppy prose. This fic contains neither.
3. Character development that extends far beyond what the movie offered. Not only does Po come to terms with the past and learn more about himself, but so do his enemies. Not many kids' movies bother with developing villainous characters beyond a cliched, cardboard backstory. In addition, it takes a truly talented writer to take a comic relief villain (the wolf) and turn him into a complex, fascinating antihero, all while keeping him in character. He actually turned out to be my favorite character in this story, which is amazing considering how much I detested him in the movie.
4. An OC who is every bit as well-developed as the canon characters. Min is the polar opposite of a Mary Sue. She does not exist purely to reform Shen, but has her own motivations throughout the story. Best of all, she does not become the center of a painfully forced, dreadfully written romantic subplot with Shen, a cliche that grinds my teeth every time I encounter it.
5. A message that expands upon what the source material has to offer. Rather than simply regurgitating the movie's message about letting go of the past to become a better person, this fic expands upon it and argues that the concept of good and bad are simply constructs, defined by whoever wins the war or has the ability to deflect a fiery cannonball. When the story is told from the wolf's point of view, it paints Shen's underlings in a more sympathetic light. The captain feels resentment towards Shen for treating his men as objects; he has a family; he has children. Would he have been portrayed similarly if the story had been told exclusively from, say, Po's point of view? No; in fact, Po would have viewed him as another pesky guard to get beat up and used for delightful slapstick comedy. When the wolf says that it would have ruined him had he thought of the poor pandas as individuals and not just "pieces of meat", it gets you to think: would good people resort to the same tactics to win a fight? That is the brilliance of this story: it really gets you to think.
Ok, I am sorry for babbling on and on, but I tend to ramble when talking about stories I really like. All in all, this was an intelligently written story with an awesome, non-Mary-Sueish OC, and I hope you write more in the future.

My word, I can tell this has taken a lot of pain-staking work. This is shaping up to be a brilliant read that had me addicted since chapter one. Not only is this beautifully written, but it has much more depth than the actual movies, especially when it comes to peering into each character's heads. I especially love Shen's character, I've always wondered what made him tick, but this has delved beyond that. Fantastic work, can't wait to read your other fics (once I'm done with this one).

cool

Love the way you portrayed the friendship between Shen and Boss Wolf. Not anough stories about those two. Good work.

Update immediately, please!

Oh my god... you're still alive! And forgive me for this unforgivably over-delayed review...

I like how you explored the idea that being the "hero" or the "villain" is really just a matter of timing. If China had come under attack from these barbarians all those years ago, Shen's firework experiments would have gained a lot of support. And I loved this line: "He was an anomaly, and people feared anomalies, and people hated what they feared. Now, they had simply found something they feared—and thus hated—even more." Again, yet another awesome analysis of how the minds of the general population work.

Shen does seem a little more caring than usual in his stressed out mode, but other than that, his characterisation is pretty solid, and I guess he can't always be riled up all the time, right? His interaction with Wolf Boss was well-written and believable, and that last bit where his conscience bites him – perfect.

Ah, teleporting Shifu. Never gets old. XD

I like that you've managed to inject some humor into the story, and you've pretty much nailed both Shifu and Po's personalities. I can almost imagine this as an alternate Kung Fu Panda 2 movie.

That's all I have for this chapter, I guess.

I'm so depressed, oh my god. I love this so much, Shen is happy right... I'm gona cry in a hole.

This has really changed me, my heart aches in pain. Why, WHY please Shen go join your loving parents. Relive your life and free your beautiful soul.

I'm trying to support every thing of yours... I guess I'm new, this is my first read on this site. I probably got alot more install...

Forgive him god, any thing but HELL...sob

I don't think "beautiful" would a strong enough word to describe this story. Everything about it worked so well, especially at the climax and in the end.

Congrats on finishing!

Update man what the hell

This fic is one of the best Shen fics I have had the pleasure yo read and it's so a shame and a total torture that you left us all with such a big cliffhanger for so long :( I love your version of wolf boss and your version of Shen. Also, this is the first OC I came to like. You also write so well and so in character, and I truly like the parts with Po, you truly gave him more deep. I suck at giving reviews. And English not being my mother tongue doesn't help me at all. But please be sure I truly admire your wonderful work here and I hope we all can read what's next. Thank you for the wonderful fic!

Omg the cliffhanger is KILLING meeeeee D:
I wonder how Po and Min reacted to the rifle exploding in Shen's face... I nearly cried XP
Poor Shen. The guy wants honest acceptance, but nobody would give it to him. And when they actually did, he didn't realize, thinking it's just a facade. It must've been miserable :(

Updateupdateupdate! ...please? QwQ

GAH I was so apprehensive about Wolf Boss! But it seems he's been spared, but Shen's not so lucky...though it realy is karmic.

AND GAH their last conversation! Shen actually stops and tells WB to move. WB begins to say Shen's not his master, and immediatley Shen takes it as betrayal and fires...only for WB to finish and say Shen is his friend. ;O;

Awesome action and Po's insight into Shen's character!

Ahhhhh this story is just too good. i am screaming in anticipation waiting for the next chapter.