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After a little while, the news came: "Tai Lung has escaped his prison and he said he is coming for what is his."
The news that Tai Lung had escaped his prison sent a ripple of shock through the valley. It wasn't just the fact that he had broken free—it was the promise of his return, his declaration that he was coming to claim what he believed was rightfully his. The skies over the Jade Palace seemed darker, the air heavier with the weight of anticipation.
Word spread quickly, whispers filling every street, every marketplace, every home. Shopkeepers closed early, parents pulled their children indoors, and travelers hurried to leave the valley before it was too late. The people knew the stories. Tai Lung was not just any warrior—he was a force of destruction, relentless and nearly unstoppable.
Inside the Jade Palace, the atmosphere was even tenser. The Furious Five stood in the main hall, their usual confidence replaced with quiet determination. Even Monkey, known for his usual humor, was silent, his tail flicking anxiously as he leaned against the pillar. Mantis and Viper exchanged glances, while Crane kept his wings tucked tightly to his sides. Tigress, however, stood firm, her gaze locked on Master Shifu, waiting for the next move.
Master Shifu entered the hall, his expression grim. He carried himself with a calm authority, but those who knew him well could see the tension in his movements, the way his hands tightened into fists at his sides.
"Tai Lung is on his way. We must prepare."
The words carried a weight that settled heavily over the room. No one spoke at first, each of them processing what it meant. They had all trained for this moment, yet now that it was upon them, the reality of the fight ahead was undeniable.
Maximilian listened in silence as they discussed their strategy. He had heard the stories of Tai Lung, of his unmatched strength, his ruthless ambition. A warrior so skilled that even an entire prison designed to contain him had failed. But hearing about him and facing him were two entirely different things.
"We should move now—stop him before he reaches the valley," Tigress said, her voice resolute.
"No," Shifu said, shaking his head. "We hold our ground. We prepare. The Dragon Warrior must be ready."
Tigress's jaw clenched, but she didn't argue. She understood Shifu's reasoning, even if she didn't like it. They couldn't afford to underestimate Tai Lung, and rushing in without a solid plan would be reckless.
A heavy silence fell over the room. Maximilian could feel the tension in the air, the mix of fear and determination settling into each warrior present. His fingers curled into fists at his sides. He had trained harder than ever, pushed himself beyond his limits, but he still didn't know if he was ready for this.
He wasn't ready.
Not yet.
But soon… he would be.
The next morning, Shifu made a decision. "The Furious Five will go to intercept Tai Lung before he reaches the village. We cannot risk the valley being caught in the crossfire."
Maximilian remained silent, watching as Tigress and the others prepared. They sharpened their techniques, focused their breathing, and set out with unwavering determination.
Hours later, the battle began on the rope bridge leading into the valley.
Tai Lung stood on the far end, his arms crossed, his piercing eyes watching as the Five approached. "You're wasting your time," he said, his voice eerily calm. "I've come for what is mine. Stand aside."
Tigress didn't hesitate—she charged first, fists flying in a flurry of powerful strikes. Tai Lung met her attacks with ease, his movements fluid, his counters precise. One by one, the others joined the fight, striking from every angle. Viper wrapped around his arm, Mantis aimed for pressure points, Crane attacked from above, and Monkey weaved between attacks.
For a moment, it seemed like they might overwhelm him.
Then, Tai Lung roared, unleashing a devastating shockwave of energy, sending them all flying back. He struck with terrifying precision—paralyzing Mantis with a single strike, knocking Crane out of the air with a calculated kick, slamming Monkey into the bridge's wooden planks. Within moments, the Furious Five lay defeated, struggling to stand, their bodies battered.
Tigress was the last one standing. Blood dripped from her lip, her breath ragged, but she refused to back down. She lunged again, but Tai Lung caught her wrist mid-strike.
"You fight well," he admitted. "But you were never meant to be the Dragon Warrior."
With that, he twisted and hurled her to the ground. The Five lay beaten, and Tai Lung walked past them as if they were nothing.
Po had been waiting in the valley, training under Shifu's guidance, though his confidence wavered. When the Furious Five returned—defeated, broken—fear gripped him. He saw the bruises, the exhaustion in their eyes, the silent shake of Crane's head as if to say he's unstoppable.
Then Tai Lung arrived.
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