This story will be a loose sequel of 'The Warriors,' and if you followed that one, I already gave way on how I will end this story (you can read chapter 40). I say 'loose' sequel because you don't have to read its predecessor to understand and enjoy this one, all the information that is required to follow the story will be given again. I can't judge the reader reaction on this, as the story was quite profound, dark and complicated, I may end up deleting it if I felt I made people confused or unhappy with the outcome. The first few chapter would be rather angsty in nature, due to the fact Tigress was overcoming her grief, but she'll move on…. And the tone of the story will be more uplifting (I promise, a lot of sarcastic jokes will be thrown)

As I said on my closing note on 'The Warriors,' I feel that I have to give a better, more deserving ending for the Dragon Warrior and Master Tigress. In this story, I will try (keyword… try) to bring the two of them on a separate journey. For Tigress to learn to be hardcore not just physically but also mentally, and Po to find out how to be a hero not only through sacrificing himself for his loved ones but also to live for them.

KFP owned by Dreamworks.

You use history as a mirror to know the rise and fall of dynasties

You use people as a mirror to know right from wrong.

-Emperor Taizong of Tang-

On the barren landscape of southern Mongolia, betwixt the shadow of treacherous rocky mountains, the war of Datong had claimed a countless brazen soul. Both Kingdom, China, and Mongolia laid in desolation, ravaged and in the brink of destruction. Multitudes of willing soldiers and fallen heroes had died, and their blood dressed the forsaken ground. The heinous sight with many listless carcasses laid waste, scattered and left abandoned without respect nor any proper burial, meted out and trodden under foot of those who was still alive. The repugnant stench harassed their nostril, as the realization of their deceased friends gripping and tormenting their souls. Those were a clear testament of the bloodthirsty encounter, which happened hours ago, and a stern reminder of what war was capable of inflicting, to claim and to enrage.

With the battle roar, the wailing shrill, the clamorous sound of armament, the blasting sound of cannon still ringing in their ears, every living soul ruminated their mortal existence. It might be their turn next to end their journey on earth.

The Kung Fu Master of China had Dragon Warrior on their side. With his Heroes Chi and Swords of Heroes, he was capable to slain the multitude of adversaries in one blow. The Mongolian had their cannon and explosive, with single blow they determined to bring China to her knee. The conflict was responsible for the loss of many fathers, sons, and brothers. And this was the tragedy of war ― it used the best warrior, most heroic and powerful fighters, to do man's worst to others. War didn't care who was right…. but who was left.

Both adversaries were lining up their troops with their banner and ensign held up high, readying themselves to smite their oppressors, facing the imminent gamble with death once more, and emerging as the victor.

They shouted the battle roar as the fight about to ensue.

But a sudden plea was made.

"STOP!" The panda shout loudly, silencing the tempest of warriors behind and in front of him.

"Everyone…. we had to stop this. We had to stop the war." The panda raised his voice as he tried to dissuade both squabbling parties. "If we don't end war ― the war will end us!"

King Duwa of Mongolia guffawed at his innocent request. "Dragon Warrior, you knew well… peace lays on the sacrifice of others. Who would you think China could sacrifice? Hmmm…?"

"Are you requesting a restitution?" Shifu intercepted. His voice weighed with extreme gravity. He could foresee what was going to happen.

"Yes… indeed. As an appeasement, I want China's most renowned and outstanding warrior, and I vowed with my honor as a King, the broken covenant will be no more ― No hatred and no grudges will I withhold, and peace shall be restored." The yak sneered with utter defiance. "And I know the very warrior I have in mind." He laughed, and pointedly looked at Po.

"Dragon Warrior… you shall be my captive. And China shall be free, and the war shall be over." The King of Mongolia said with imperious tone. Everyone behind the panda gasped. A sheer look of terror depicted in their countenance.

"You evil doer!" Shifu snarled balefully, his azure eyes darting a burgeoning spite.

"You are the one who broke the betrothal, and Chinese people claimed to be people who are honoring their words? How sad." The yak wielded his sword and growled spitefully in retribution.

"That's ok Shifu… I'll go with him." Po said calmly and stepped forward.

"Panda!" His old Master thwarted his intention with his staff.

"Big guy no ― We...we can think through this." Even Mantis who usually maintained his cool was visibly shaking in grim tremor.

"Man… you can't just go, how about us?" The simian shook his head in disagreement and disbelief.

"Guys… you heard him, this is… the easiest, simplest… and fastest way to reduce everyone's suffering." He tried to calm the dissension among them. Immediately his emerald eyes turned to her ― his other half, the woman who owned his heart and soul. She had not said anything, not a word. But, by looking into her piercing ruby eyes, Po knew exactly how she felt.

"So what do you say, Dragon Warrior? Are you taking my offer?" The King was pressing for a definite answer.

"Yes… but could you give a few minutes to say… my goodbye."

His adversary scoffed curtly at Dragon Warrior's plea but nonetheless agreed. It was a reasonable request.

"Guys.. listen up... " Po turned to his friends, modulating his voice into gentle, imploring tone.

"Po… y-you can't do this." The snake started to weep, and her voice began to falter.

"Viper… I've made up my mind." He replied resolutely with unwavering expression. He had seen so many fallen warriors. Some would be debilitated for life; some would have to deal with the incurable emotional scar. He had witnessed the unnecessary cruelty of war ― the brutal torture imposed to the war captive, to squeeze necessary information out of their opponent. And, who knew the length of someone's life? The last thing he wished to witness was his friends becoming the victim of war barbarity, and to die in such a horrific, sickening manner. Not to mention, there was a hanging possibility that China would lose in this war, and people of China would be embroiled in deeper, much more dire situation, and ensnared by a grim future than what he already testified.

"But how about Tigress?" The snake quipped, leaving the panda to contemplate his rioting emotion for a while.

"She will understand… my heart shall be hers only. Doesn't matter where am I." He said with finality while trying to disregard the agonizing pain piercing his heart as he said it. He knelt down; his eyes were begging for an audience. "Guys… listen, please… "

"Please take care of my dads. Especially my goose dad, you all know how much he meant to me." After swallowing a lump in his throat, the panda continued his melancholic appeal, "...do not mourn long for me, you all have a lot to be thankful for…." He smiled albeit bitterly and turned to his Master.

"Master Shifu… thank you, for everything. Your guidance had made me the person I am today… " Ceremoniously and reverentially, he lumbered deeply and paid his teacher all the honor he was due. "I owe you, Master."

"Po… you have made me proud, to see the esteemed and noble hero you are becoming." His Master's voice started to break, touched by the panda readiness and his unselfish deeds towards his family and his country.

Then his forlorn glance landed on her. But Tigress knew how hard it was for Po as it is for herself. She had no intention to make him endure such suffering more than he had to.

"Tigress… I-"

"Po… I understand. Don't you worry about me." Contradictory to her words, her voice drowned in ache. It took all of her strength not to burst out into a relentless sob. She toiled not to let her emotion and distress surfacing, even when her heart bled and cried mercilessly in intense agony.

"I may let go of my life, but I would never let go of you." His voice was raspy, clearly threatening to crack into an uncontrollable cry.

She gazed tenderly at his glisten emerald eyes. She could see the turmoiling emotion and hundreds of things he wanted to say, but there were no words could ever describe how he felt right then. It was the hardest thing he had to do, bidding his goodbye to the person he cared the most.

He tugged her firmly as he pulled her into his arms, devouring their last moment of togetherness as their souls lamenting their sorrow.

"You're worth everything to me, Tigress." He muffled between repressive sobs. She inhaled his scent, caressed his plushy form. She took notice of his round, deep and kind face for one last time. How could she love this clumsy warrior beyond words? How could she live without seeing his pathetic smile? Who would comfort her from all her nightmares? But Tigress was no coward; she knew hers and Po's sacrifice were necessary for the happiness of others, moreover for the future of China.

She searched his gaze again, and gently reached her lips towards his, brushing it slowly before giving him a passionate kiss. For a moment, their worry all melt, caring nothing about the war and the future at hand.

"Until we meet again, my warrior…. don't let fear decide your fate. I am proud of you." With a weak smile, she saluted him the same way when he just defeated Tai Lung. His stubby claws traced the digits between her finger, where the ring he bestowed a few weeks ago sat modestly, a seal of his promise for her. He watched the deep hurt that clinging unto her amber eyes, but quickly put a broad smile as he bowed to her.

"Master Tigress…. It's my pleasure to know you." That was the last profound words he left her.

Under the curse of obligation and responsibility, both warriors parted ways.

And with that, the war reached its conclusive finality, the bloodshed finally ceased. Both leaders and their entourage turned their back, picking up their disheveled armory, patching their injured soldiers, loading their carts and readying themselves to return home. The Warriors of Jade Palace watched petulantly, until the glimpse of their Dragon Warrior with the Mongolian cortege disappeared beyond the horizon, never to be seen again until their fate decided otherwise.

A year later.

Dipped in the shadow of Mongolian mighty mountain crest, isolated by multitudes of jagged natural rocks, atrocious calamity fell upon what once used to be an imposing fortress.

Sporadic, flickering infernos that were still devouring the rest of the crumbling building, gleamed intensely under the perusal of wan moonlight. As if designed by divine hands, large clouds loomed over, followed by thunderous clap that created vicious reverberating sound. Subsequently, dazzling lightning struck the earth sporadically, the cold downpour from the heaven helped to douse off the last breaths of the dying ember.

The fortress was none other than the dwelling place of Lord Ganzorig and his extensive family. He was the eldest son of Lord Ganbaatar of Dorji clan. Now, the mighty fortress had laid desolate as most of its occupants had fled for their life. The absence of walls and roof thereof, the smoldering pillar and scattered remnant of riches laid waste, the repugnant smell of seared flesh filled the air, an indication of heinous wickedness that had taken place to alter such grandiose into the brink of nothingness. A sole spotted figure hunched back among the debris of what supposed to be his lifetime residence. He was weeping openly in heavy encumbrance, next to the lifeless body of his father. His fist clenched and unclenched in vengeful animosity.

His family had been brutally massacred in his wake, and his family heirloom, his home had been reduced to ashes. The responsible culprit even purposely left him as a lone survivor, to witness the extent of such atrocity, to be tortured eternally by the sight that would haunt him with the horrible dream for the rest of his life.

He knew who responsible with this, even when he had no way to prove it. More importantly, he knew the reason why the felon and his accomplices had resorted to such abominable crime. It was because once upon a time, his father was too, had joined hand to invoke the same ugly misdeed, and transgressing his clear conscience into committing a vicious genocide.

Curse you Demon Claw, I swear….I would make you pay! And the remnant of your Zhang clan would be no more.

Some of his servants who left unscathed began to salvage what they could and took a refuge in a nearby cave. A female fox about his age approached him prudently. Her deep copper fur was befouled with a mixture of rain water and ashes, and her outfit visibly charred after accidental contact with searing heat.

"My Lord….." Her quivering voice briefly disengaged him from brooding into his grief. He flicked his gaze to see her eyes observed him with much concern and care.

"Just leave me alone!" He commanded spitefully. Still cleaving unto his deceased father paws, he lamented the loss of a man he loved dearly with the depth of his soul. His father was the anchor of his life. He found no purpose in living now that he had left.

"Master… please, at least we need to vacate this place, and find somewhere warm to rest for the night." The fox begged him with a slight importuning tone in her voice.

"Enkhtuya... I don't wish to live to see another day. Just leave me here to die." He spewed morosely, dishing away her paw that grazed upon his shoulder.

"Your are his only hope to fulfill his dream." She reminded. The leopard mulled over her words for a moment of repose. His father was the counselor that bestowed his service to the king. Lord Ganbaatar was known for his dexterity and outstanding bravery, but lurking underneath, he was vicious and thirsty for power and authority. He always told his son, that he wanted to live to see his clan prevailed as Mongolia auspicious royal. Unfortunately, his desire to overthrow King Duwa's regency had never materialized until that wistful day.

"You are right…" he brooded for a moment, and then the arrogance returned to his voice, "Enkhtuya…. enlighten me to the future, what do you see..."

The Fox sighed deeply, the facade of unwillingness and reluctance to obey was more than obvious.

"Do. as. I. said!" He spat bluntly.

"Y-yes My Lord."

Placing a bowl and filled it with rain water, she complied haltingly. Enkhtuya knew she owed the old spotted leopard her life, but it wasn't entirely a sincere gesture of compassion when he saved her during the conflict.

Lord Ganzorig's father rescued her from the hand of her people, who intended to execute her for the crime she committed. Seeing that she was capable of supernatural, future predicting capability, he took the fox home and let her work as his personal assistant than sending her to the concentration camp or prison. Her obedience and loyalty were come mostly from fear than faithfulness.

Shutting her eyes and finding her center, she muttered indescribable mantra, while her hands moved on the top of the water in a strange manner. Her eyes jolted open, but her orbs rolled upwards in an eerie fashion, as she began to speak with a voice that wasn't hers.

The covetousness for power and vanity, the delusion of damning conceits,

for it shall come to pass in that day, that such curse will embroil friends and enemies.

A warrior will come from place afar,

She was likened to the desert sunset, lined with the darkness of night.

Her eyes were likened to rubies.

She would burst thy bonds, and mark the victor.

Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.

Therefore, sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek forgiveness. For he which forgives sparingly shall be forgiven also sparingly, and he which gives bountifully shall be blessed also bountifully.

The victor would be granted every desire of his heart, for he has shown grace, forgiveness, and mercy, while the vengeful will be vanquished, devoured and destroyed at once.

Behold, the former things are come to pass, before they spring forth I tell you of them.

Lord Ganzorig mulled over the message for a moment.

"Mmmm…. a warrior," he rubbed his chin as he ran through all the guesswork,"...she you said?"

"Yes Master," the Fox affirmed.

"With auburn fur and black stripes? with amber eyes?" He continued his rhetoric.

The Fox dipped his head in agreement. The spotted leopard was deep in thought, reminiscing some event from his past. All happened decades ago when he was a little boy.

"Zorig!" His father called.

"Yes, Father."

"I will send you to complete your study at the Jade Palace. I have spoken to the Masters there, and they would gladly accept you as their pupil." His father landed his prideful paw on his shoulder. "And you'll be a great Kung Fu Master, and make Dorji clan proud."

The young leopard grinned enthusiastically, "I will try my best, Father," he promised.

He was merely an 8-year-old when he arrived at the Jade Palace. He remembered he met another, much older leopard, who apparently was one of the Master's adopted son. He recalled how the snow leopard had imprinted a lasting memory about how he foresaw himself in years to come. His form was executed with absolute perfection, his kick was both elegant and powerful, he trained with intense passion and dedication.

"I am Tai Lung," the older snow leopard buffeted his chest haughtily, before chuckling in front of much smaller leopard.

"Master Tai Lung… I am Ganzorig. I am here to learn to be the best," he disclosed, "...and I want to be like you." His golden eyes observed the older leopard with sincere admiration and respect.

Tai Lung jarring laughter erupted hearing his innocent proclamation. Then, he knelt to his eye level and told him,"Of course, you could be like me. Just train hard, and you'll do yourself proud."

And of course, Ganzorig did put his best effort to be like his hero, Tai Lung. He trained before the break of the dawn and continued until midnight. Shifu quickly acknowledged the potential in him. Coupling his talent, unnatural strength with his sheer determination and unwavering dedication, Ganzorig soon was allowed to spar with Tai Lung.

But in a mere three years, his dream to become a Kung Fu master was annihilated. Tai Lung was denied the Dragon Scroll and decided to project his anger towards the hapless citizen of the valley. Fearing the spotted leopard's safety, Ganzorig was sent home a day later and was told not to return.

A few years after the incident, Ganzorig's father wrote a letter to Jade Palace, expressing his deepest sympathy on what had happened to the snow leopard, as well as asking whether Ganzorig could continue his study at the palace. A reply was received, stating that currently, Shifu was unable to accept anymore student and that he just adopted a four-year-old striped tiger from the local orphanage. The messenger who carried the message testified that he saw a little female tiger with amber eyes in the training hall.

"Finally the divine power has granted my wish!" Ecstasy and eagerness lacing his voice.

"Master, I think this prophecy serve as a warning to be more vigilant, and not to fall into the temptation to commit such cruel retribution." The Fox swiftly tried to dissuade the spotted leopard to make a reckless decision. She had a clear inkling of where this saga would end.

"What do you expect me to do? Forgive that scum for destroying my family and my home?" He sneered, "Never!"

"Someone had to break this murderous cycle; he did this because what your father and King Duwa did years ago," she tried to reason with him.

"NONSENSE! This is my chance…! And not just I would eviscerate that filthy Demon Claw and his clan, and I would claim the Mongol throne as mine! MINE!"

"Master… please, leave that tigress out of your revenge, she is innocent," but the Fox judicious words fell on his deaf ears.

"Innocent?" He laughed sinisterly.

"No one is innocent, not me…. not Demon Claw…. not the king….not even you!" He pressed his claw upon the fox's chest. She cringed in response, from both fear and pain. Enkhtuya felt a lump in her throat on his statement. Among all the people, Lord Ganzorig and his father knew the truth of her dark past; normally Lord Ganzorig would never use the fact to blackmail her…. unless he had to.

"But, Master… I ―"

"QUIET! I never ask for your opinion. Set for Valley of Peace to find her, don't let anyone know that I've sent you, your quest is to find information about her ― I'll kill you if you failed your mission." His last word of threat silenced her. She felt fear and hesitation gripping her spine. She swallowed hard, struggling to find her voice.

"Where shall I looked for her?" Her speech quivered.

"Set for Jade Palace, and find that striped tiger for me."

Two and a half years later, Valley of Peace.

To the world, he was the Dragon Warrior - a hero like no other. His unorthodox approach in the battle against his enemies, his selflessness, and heroic nature was what he was known for. But for his closest and dearest, he was Po Ping, the giant panda with atrocious etiquette, severe appetite disorder, overwhelming positive energy, awesome klutziness and myriad of bodacity… and very much the panda they all loved.

It had been a long, hard and devoid three years…. three years since the last time they saw him and heard from him. Although the image of him started to ebb away together with the unstoppable rolling of time, and a lot of faithful reminder of his legacy had made it into Jade Palace Hall of Warrior or palace basement, all of his comrades, his family, his loved ones still savored every little moment they ever shared together.

Tigress was one of the most affected by his departure. But she had managed well so far. Undoubtedly, she had moments of denial, grieving… but finally acceptance. She tried to bury her sentiment underneath her dispassionate fortitude for most of the time. But not tonight, not after what she had dreamt.

She stood in a large fortress, a palace, surrounded by vicious, jagged mountain ranges. Tigress, as a bystander, saw an army of rhinos and tigers encapsulating the ground, guarding against the invader, and then she saw a few of her friends… and Po. The panda was there. He was still like she depicted him in her fading memory. His big corpulent belly was jiggling as he bounced around, his chubby cheek, round and kind face and that signature goofy grin of his…. Oh, how she missed him.

Po, Monkey, and Mantis were just chatting idly while reenacting some of their previous mission. Abruptly, a group of striped felines in ninja outfit barraged through the establishment.

"Who ARE you?" with a sharp tone, Po questioned the largest male feline.

He just sneered menacingly in reply. "Who I am is no concern to you, you better not stand in my way, for I have no intention to hurt you."

"If you intended to hurt the owner of this house, then I am your enemy," Po announced.

His retribution obviously kindled the tiger's snit as he growled and spat,"You will be sorry for protecting him!"

"ATTACK!" He commanded the rest of the team. Po, Mantis, and Monkey quickly selected their opponents. Po lunged at the feline's foreman; he was immensely surprised when the feline was showing a fighting style that he was very much familiar with. The large feline was equally provoked, looking at how the panda capable to even predict his movement with ease, as if he had trained with him for a long time.

Soon the large striped feline was cornered, but before Po could land any debilitating strike, a much slender, smaller figure thwarted his arms. Her grip was firm and accurate. Tigress saw how Po was surprised to see who his opponent was. The slender creature with ninja outfit froze for a split second, but immediately landed her double palm strike on the panda's belly. Po was caught off guard, hurled with a large momentum, landing himself on the other side of the hall. Subsequently, the figure sheathed her claw, ready to eviscerate the panda to pieces.

Tigress had no idea why Po seemed to reluctant to put on a serious fight. Until she heard Po's pleading voice, then everything became clear.

"Tigress… it's me! Please….!."

Tigress snapped from her dream, a clammy layer of cold sweat was streaming down her body, and her erratic breaths were spilling out of her mouth, sending her chest huffing uncontrollably.

Did she just attempt to kill Po? But…. why? This was the third or the fourth time she had the same recurring nightmare. Was this a vision? A sign? She had no answer for it.

I know it's a challenge to read Mongolian's name, but I hope everyone perseveres.

Enkhtuya = ray of peace

Ganbaatar = steel hero

Ganzorig = steel courage

Mongolian names can be very creative, and sometimes people are required to have great skills to pronounce them. An example here with the longest name you can find in Mongolia:

"Агваанлувсанчойжиннямданзанванчигбалсамбуу" to pronounce "Agvaanluvsanchoijinnyamdanzanvanchigbalsambuu"! This is the longest name of all in Mongolia. It corresponds to the 8th Bogdo Jebtsundamba, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism in Mongolia. This personality is linked to the history of Mongolia at the time of its revolution against the Qing Dynasty of the Manchus, as he became the Bogd Khan(Mongolia's religious ruler) of a theocracy. Very powerful and respected, he was the third most important person of all Tibetan Buddhism hierarchy, just under Dalai Lama and Panchen Lamas.