ARC 3: THE STRANGER
In the last part, we came to know that Tai Lung is stronger than Tornado, but one thing we all should keep in mind as Tornado himself said this was just his Phase 1.
Let us begin with this Part 4: A Journey with a Stranger.
In the morning, when everyone woke up and sat together in the Jade Palace...
Tai Lung: What happened last night? What went wrong with me?
Po: You actually went out of control. You were screaming like a demon, like you weren't coming under anyone's control. I had to touch your head with my finger... and I felt like someone was controlling you. But the moment I touched your forehead, everything went normal. Like nothing happened. And after two minutes, you were conscious again.
Tai Lung: Wait! Seriously?? This was the case?! Man... to be honest—I saw someone. As you're saying I went out of control... I saw someone. I couldn't see his face.
Shifu: Who was he? Any physical description you remember?
Tai Lung: No... I can't remember anything...
Tigress: You made us hold you back using chains... and you were still pulling all of us!
Tai Lung: Oh! I'm sorry if I caused you all trouble.
Po: Master, I was going to tell you—I'll leave for my village today. Sorry... I forgot to tell you earlier.
Shifu: You shouldn't forget things like this. And tell me one thing if you go, then who will protect us if Tornado strikes again?
Tai Lung: I'm here, Master. Why are you taking tension? I'm here... I folded him like nothing.
Po: He's right. He's literally here for this only.
Later that day, Po left. Tai Lung was now in the Valley of Peace. Tornado wasn't going to strike anytime soon, so Tai Lung was free. He was standing in the Room of Scrolls. Shifu was there as well.
Tai Lung: Can't we just read some scrolls to pass our time?
Shifu: Might be a good idea.
They started looking for scrolls and found the Scroll of Kai again. Tai Lung took it.
Tai Lung: It must be interesting. Let me read it.
He read the scroll, and it was indeed really interesting to him. When he was going to put it back, another scroll fell off. Tai Lung placed the scroll he had carefully, picked up the fallen one, and thought he might as well give this one a read.
Tai Lung: What's this scroll about?
Shifu: There are so many of them... I don't know what it might be about. Why don't you read it?
Tai Lung: Good idea.
He read: it was about a sword named Uriken, the sword of Akumo, the Destroyer of Hell and the Spirit Realm. He was also called the "Spirit Slayer" because his sword, Uriken, was made from a cursed flame named Indino.
The Spirit Slayer was so powerful that he defeated Ke-Pa.
Tai Lung: Who's this Ke-Pa?
Shifu: He was the friend of the first Dragon Warrior Jindiao.
Tai Lung: Damn... this scroll is very interesting.
Further reading revealed that Jindiao had to come in his true form to defeat Akumo and Jindiao literally wiped Akumo's existence. But his sword... was left behind.
Jindiao kept the sword as an artifact in his museum.
Tai Lung: Damn. If this sword is so powerful... I'll find it for sure. It would help us a lot.
Shifu: You can't do that. That sword was never found. Neither is Jindiao in China anymore he's in Japan now. You won't find his museum by yourself.
Tai Lung: That's my headache. I'll deal with it. It's for the good of all of us. I'll leave the Valley tomorrow in search of this sword, Uriken.
Shifu: Legends say that museum is in a village abandoned long ago by its people. When Jindiao left, they all left too. You might find that sword in that village but it's near that mountain named... Jindiano.
Tai Lung: I will find that sword. At any cost.,
He thinks to himself, I will be able to Defeat Any threat, Might even Get My Revenge on all that humiliation i endured,he paused,
He realises that he is falling in the same loop again, with a pang of helplessness and disappointment he drops the thought of taking revenge, and rather focusing on saving people rather to hold onto old hatered,, He thought for the whole day Conflicted.
Next morning, Tai Lung left for that mountain Jindiano. His journey took him across all of China.
He didn't stop; he already knew his journey would be long. After traveling for a long time, he came across a village near a mountain.
Tai Lung: Is this Mountain Jindiano?
Stranger: No. This is Mountain Koyo. It was named after Ke-Pa. The mountain you're looking for is much farther, and you have to cross this Mountain Koyo to continue your journey.
Tai Lung: So that's the case.
But suddenly...
Stranger: By the way, what's your name?
Tai Lung: Tai Lung.
Tai Lung: And yours?
Stranger: Li Wang. I'm the master of this village. I practice the Art of Eight Limbs.
Tai Lung: Oh. Great...
He continued his journey, starting to cross the mountain. But as he did, he felt something strange.
Tai Lung: Why do I feel... something... like an energy inside this mountain? Let me check.
He searched for a weak spot to break through, found one, and jumped inside.
Further inside, he saw someone trapped, deep within Mountain Koyo. Tai Lung jumped again.
There were only a few people guarding the person who was chained and burdened by a massive rock on his back, disabling all movement.
Tai Lung thought to himself: This helpless guy... reminds me of my own condition. I suffered too much. No problem I'll free him.
Suddenly, he attacked the guards, easily one-shotting them all.
Tai Lung: Who are you? Why are you here?
The snow tiger slowly opened his eyes.
Tiger: My name... is Tigor. I was betrayed by my master and sent on a mission I couldn't win. I got captured. Eight years have passed... and I'm still trapped here.
Tai Lung thought: He really needs help... and this similarity we share...
Tigor: Why are you here, Tai Lung?
Tai Lung was shocked. How did this stranger know his name?
Tai Lung: Well... good that you know who I am. But buddy, I'm here to take you out of this trouble.
Tigor: Just break this rock on my back. Leave the rest to me.
Tai Lung broke the rock with one punch.
Tigor: So you are just as strong as I've heard.
Tai Lung: I'm surprised someone so far from where I lived still knows about me. Do you want me to break these chains too?
Tigor: No. I'll break them.
In a blink, the chains shattered.
Tigor: I feel much better now. Thank you, Tai Lung... Spirit Warrior.
Tai Lung: Spirit Warrior...? (slightly shocked)
But he ignored that and asked:
Tai Lung: I'm actually on my way to find a sword named Uriken. Do you know where it is? I might be asking a totally random Thing
Tigor: Yo... that sword? That cursed sword Uriken? Why do you want it?
Tai Lung: You know about it! Speak up! You already know where it is tell me, or I'll break your face!
Tigor: Chill, man. Yes I know where it is. It's still in the museum of my master...
Tai Lung: Jindiao is your master??!
Tigor: Actually... he was. Until he betrayed me.
Tigor explained how Jindiao and his ally Ke-Pa assigned him a death mission because they feared his strength and potential. He took the mission foolishly, blinded by the dream of becoming the next Dragon Warrior. But it was a trap.
Tears came to his eyes.
Tigor: I was wrong...
Tai Lung hugged him, feeling that same painful weight.
Tai Lung: Look, man... let's just move on. It's worthless to cry about this now. Let's focus on the future.
Tai Lung: You're strong. Stop crying now. Now... about that sword.
Tigor: It's not far from my home, but let's first go to my place. The Valley of Clouds.
Tai Lung: For sure.
They continued their journey.
After half a day, they reached Tigor's home.
Tigor: I'm tired. Let's continue the journey tomorrow.
Tai Lung: Sure.
Meanwhile...
Tornado's mask had changed.
Tornado: My Phase 1 ends... Phase 2 begins... Tai Lung... I'm coming for you...
TO BE CONTINUED...
Hello fellow readers It's me Fallen, I am tryna be consistent although it's a pain in ass, But yeah still i got you a new chapter cooked also have my discord Server Link, "Magic Domain",
https://discord.gg/J7CxCb8z
For mobile users they can take screenshot of this and Post on Google Lense or Google to open the invite alright and it's easy for website users to copy and paste, see you all soon although the server isn't polished at all, still in Starting phase you can join and chat alright. Bye
THE FALLEN