Tai Lung stepped into the Valley of Peace, his sharp eyes scanning the familiar landscape. A rush of nostalgia coursed through him. Despite all the changes over the decades, the air, the buildings, even the bustling streets still felt familiar, almost unchanged. He walked slowly, taking in the sights. Around him, every animal in the valley turned their eyes toward him, their curiosity clear. Some looked wary, others intrigued, but all stared.
He didn't mind the attention and simply kept walking, his steps carrying him toward the long stairway that led up to the Jade Palace. Just as he was about to begin his climb, a sudden call broke the silence.
"Hello, stranger!"
Tai Lung's eyes shifted to the side. A female tiger stood there, dressed in the attire of a kung fu master. He recognized her immediately, Tigress. A fellow student under Shifu, and one of the warriors who had once stood against him alongside her four companions.
Tai Lung offered her a smile. "Hello, Tigress. I didn't expect to see you first upon my arrival."
"Hello. Welcome to the valley," Tigress replied, her tone polite but steady. She didn't appear surprised that he knew her, she was famous enough, after all. She studied him carefully before asking, "You are new here, aren't you? If I may, can I ask your name and what kind of animal you are?"
"Actually, I am not new," Tai Lung said with calm confidence. "I was here decades ago. I think you weren't even born yet at that time. And as for what I am, I am a human. My name is Tai Lung."
Tigress froze for a moment, repeating slowly, "Your name is… Tai Lung?"
He kept smiling. "Is there a problem?"
"None," she said quickly, though her expression betrayed a flicker of surprise. "It's just… your name brought back some old memories."
"I hope they're not too bad," Tai Lung replied evenly. "I came here to visit the Jade Palace, more specifically, Master Shifu."
Tigress raised a brow. "Is there something you need from Master Shifu?"
"No. It's just a personal visit."
She studied him a little longer but let it go. "I've just returned to the valley myself and was heading to the Jade Palace. You can come with me."
"Sure," Tai Lung said simply.
As they made their way together, they exchanged small talk. Tai Lung asked about the valley, the people, and what notable events had transpired in his absence. Tigress answered patiently, willing to indulge this strange, polite visitor. When they reached the stairway, she couldn't help but notice how easily he climbed, his breathing steady, his movement smooth. This man was clearly trained.
Minutes later, the two entered the Jade Palace. Inside, they were greeted by the sight of Po the panda sparring with a small corsac fox, giving her pointers as they exchanged blows.
Tai Lung stopped to watch, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Is Po teaching his sidekick?"
Tigress glanced at him. "Zhen is the Dragon Warrior, a successor and student of Po."
"Do you know Po?" she asked, her tone sharpening, "And why did you call Zhen a sidekick?"
"Yes," Tai Lung answered calmly. "Years ago, I fought him once and lost. And that fox was with Po when he fought the Chameleon. I always thought the fox was Po's sidekick"
That made Tigress hesitate. She knew fragments of that battle, only Po, Zhen, and the spirit realm masters were present during that battle. If this stranger knew of it, had he been there? If so then he must have been a follower of the Chameleon who had witnessed from the shadows. And the fact that he openly admitted to being defeated by Po only seemed to support that.
The sparring came to an end. Tai Lung stepped forward, calling out with a smile, "Hello, Po. It's been quite some time."
The panda looked up, blinking, then smiled apologetically. "Hello. I'm sorry, but I don't recall who you are. Still, something about you feels… familiar."
Tai Lung chuckled. "I didn't expect you to recognize me. I am Tai Lung."
Po blinked again. "That name… it brings back some memories."
"So I've been told," Tai Lung said lightly. Then his expression turned a bit sharper. "Tell me, Po, where is Master Shifu?"
Po tilted his head, thinking. "I don't know. He left earlier today with the rest of the furious five to visit a friend, but he should be back soon… may be a few hours at most."
For the first time since arriving, Tai Lung's smile faded. He frowned. "I didn't know Shifu had friends."
Po raised his paws defensively. "That's mean of you. Master Shifu does have friends!"
"Do you believe what you just said?" Tai Lung countered with a raised brow.
Po let out a weak laugh. "...A little."
Tai Lung sighed, clearly impatient. "I hope he comes back before evening. I don't have much time left to wait too long."
"If you need help with something, maybe I could help," Po offered.
Tai Lung shook his head. "Thank you, but I need only to speak with Master Shifu. It is personal."
Zhen, who had been listening from the side with growing curiosity, suddenly spoke "So… what are you? First time seeing your kind."
Tai Lung turned his head slightly toward her and answered. "I am a human."
"First time hearing that as well," Zhen replied, tilting her head.
"I'm not surprised," Tai Lung said with a faint smile.
Po chimed in. "While we wait for Master Shifu, would you like to drink some tea?"
"No, thank you, I'm good," Tai Lung answered. His gaze lingered on Po for a while, as if weighing him, then his lips curved into a sharper smile. "What about sparring with me? I'm interested in having a rematch against you."
Po blinked, caught off guard. "Have we fought before?"
"Yes," Tai Lung replied. "And you won."
"Oh…" Po muttered, scratching the back of his head, he clearly didn't remember that.
Before he could say anything more, Zhen jumped in eagerly. "I'm the Dragon Warrior! What about facing me?"
Tai Lung regarded her for only a brief moment before shaking his head. "You still have a long way to go. Your chi is still growing. Right now, you're not even on Oogway's level. Po, on the other hand… his raw chi alone is almost equal to mine and Oogway combined."
Zhen's eyes widened, while Po showed a mix of surprise and confusion. Tai Lung kept his focus on the panda. "Now I know why Oogway chose you. Your chi must have been much greater than the rest of us since then."
"Uh… thanks?" Po said awkwardly. Then, curious, he asked, "Wait, you can feel chi?"
Tai Lung nodded. "I unlocked my chakras and reached inner peace."
"That's… impressive," Po admitted honestly.
Behind them, Tigress's eyes narrowed as she studied Tai Lung's back. None of this made sense. This stranger, this human, spoke as though he was familiar with Po in the past, and compared himself to Oogway, even suggesting he rivaled or surpassed the old master's power, yet no one has heard of him before. Yet Po didn't remember him. Who was this man really? Was his name truly Tai Lung?
Zhen, meanwhile, was bristling. The dismissal in his words stung her pride. "Now I really want to spar with you," she said, her tail lashing. "I'll show you who still has a long way to go."
Tai Lung's eyes slid to her, calm and unreadable. "Fine. Let's make it quick. Then I'll have my rematch with Po."
And so, the spar was set. On the stone courtyard floor, each of them took a side, while Po and Tigress stepped aside to watch.
Zhen smiled, brimming with confidence. "I won't go easy on you."
Tai Lung mirrored her expression with one of his own. "Give me your best."
Zhen wasted no time. She lunged forward, unleashing a storm of punches and kicks, each strike flowing into the next. But Tai Lung met her flurry with effortless grace, dodging and deflecting every blow. He was taller, larger, and every inch of that advantage was used to keep her off balance. Zhen's body was half his size, and he ensured it worked against her. Each time she closed in, he shifted back just far enough to slip from her reach, striking her with quick blows from a distance she couldn't counter, then widening the gap again.
Frustrated, Zhen glared at him. "You coward, stop dodging and retreating!"
Tai Lung chuckled softly. "Anger and pride will be your downfall."
Her eyes narrowed with fire, and she burst forward again, this time faster, sharper. But Tai Lung moved faster still. This time, he didn't dodge. His hands blurred. Fingers jabbed into her chest in rapid succession, each strike precise and devastating. Zhen gasped, her body stiffening. Within moments, her limbs gave way and she collapsed onto the stone floor, paralyzed.
Po and Tigress both widened their eyes. That technique, so refined and merciless, was something only a few masters in history could perform. And the speed he had moved with… Tigress clenched her fists unconsciously. She wasn't certain she could have blocked it if she was in Zhen's place. She wondered who this person was.