Kung Fu Panda: The Spirit Rifts

Eruption

Whilst Qianzhi schemed away underneath Juniper City, eager to strike against the very person that ends up with Po's Jade Staff of Wisdom in their grip; the next Dragon Warrior alongside the new Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace were busy ferociously battling the Chameleon.

"Don't you get it, panda? I am every opponent you've ever faced, including yourself! I know you've got some insecurities in there somewhere!" The Chameleon teased as she was on the verge of trapping Po inside of one of her enchanted cages, at least for the second time.

"Insecurities? What insecurities?" Po was cringing in anticipation, knowing full well the Chameleon was going to bring up his family in one way or another.

"Worried that your fathers both don't love you enough? Or what about your mother? Would she be proud of you, panda?"

"Awh, come on! Low blow!"

"And that's how I strike," The Chameleon morphed into her dragon mutant form, swinging her tail high as she seemingly trapped Po within one of her cages, cackling as Zhen was nowhere to be found. "And, there we have it. You know, it's been fun battling you, but you've also proven that you can't be a better person compared to who you were five minutes ago-"

"BUT I CAN!" Zhen came swinging in with Po's jade staff in hand atop one of the cages that were mounted on the ceiling of the Chameleon's dreary lair, almost hitting the Chameleon square in her reptilian face... Had she not completely missed and was forced to readjust. "Hold on, wait a minute, let's try that again... BUT I CAN!" The Chameleon, too stunned by Zhen's foolishness to react, was knocked into the air before being sealed inside of one of her very own enchanted cages. Yet, this time, the floor was held together by inescapable steel.

"Woohoo! Yeah! You did it, Zhen!" Po cheered as he 'escaped' from his 'seemingly indestructible' cage with ease.

"Oh, so you could escape?!" Zhen dramatically sighed, facepalming as Po delicately slid his staff out from Zhen's grip.

"Yep, but sometimes to be the secret ingredient, you must find your inspiration and persuade yourself that you're unique! Hey, I'm still working on these philosophical nuggets of wisdom. How else am I supposed to be the next Oogway if I don't include some metaphors here and there?" Po chuckled as he was surrounded by his adversaries, all of them clapping and cheering for the Spiritual Leader alongside his act of selfless heroism.

"You know, I think the best part about you is the fact you get straight to the point instead of Oogway teaching you how to season a radish before you learn something from it," Tai Lung's bassy voice alongside his extremely accurate joke resonated throughout the quarters of the Chameleon's chambers.

"Wounds heal, scars fade," Shen added on, teaching Po that sometimes simple wisdom was a stronger alternative to obfuscating your wisdom with a mirage of metaphors.

"Chitty-chitty-chit-chat... Chit. Chat. It got the point across for me and my loud mouth, haha!" Kai bellowed, barely able to fit inside of his own cage comfortably. "So, when can we go home?"

"Wait... Instead of staying here, you want to go back? That's surprising for all three of you, as well as the rest of you!" Po looked around with amazement as seemingly all of his adversaries were eager to return to the Spirit Realm.

"Well, it's called the Spirit Realm for a reason. Years have gone by, it's allowed me to reflect, for us to reflect. You're not all that bad, we've just seen better days and accept that eternity to find peace isn't as much of a punishment as we thought; at least you can't get scrubbed out of the history books like Kai in there," Kai let off a grunt of frustration as Tai Lung smirked in amusement.

"Panda, history isn't everything and I've learned that the hard way. It's time for us to return to a place where history doesn't matter as much as the present," Shen wisely lamented as Po was humbled by how three of his most intimidating adversaries seemingly accepted their fate, their mistakes as well as yearned for peace.

"The Mortal Realm shouldn't concern us anymore, it was greedy of the Chameleon to pull us here to begin with. Now, that magical walking stick of yours; let's use it to go home!"

"Ah, right, going home! On it!" Po dramatically dashed in a circle before leaping up into the air, twisting around his Jade Staff of Wisdom, drawing the 氣 (Chi) symbol before the Chameleon's chambers exploded with sparkly gold rays as every single one of Po's adversaries were set free from their cages, eagerly stepping forth before the very panda that they had once fought in the past.

"I used to envy you for your position, now I understand how and why you're there," Master Boar, one of the Furious Five's first rivals, praised Po as he bowed.

"I saw you as an outlaw, now I understand why even you sometimes go around the code of conduct that every Kung Fu palace has to offer," Master Elephant soon lowered his head, bowing before the panda.

"I yearned for your gold, before realising there was none except the gold in your heart," Master Bull bowed down before Po as Po was seemingly gushing with joy.

"Awh! You guys! Thank you so much! Now, as much as I wish I could accept compliments, it's time for me to open up the gates to the Spirit Realm... And this time, you're all going back willingly, I'm proud of you all!" Po performed a backflip as he began to ascend into the air, himself going from wearing his patched up pants to his iconic straw hat alongside Dragon Warrior robe before he pointed down to the floor, firing a golden ray that opened up a blinding gold gateway, with arches decorates by two welcoming dragons.

Soon enough, everyone was bowing for Po, even including Zhen, his new apprentice. As they placed their fists, wings alongside other parts in their other hand in a show of respect, Master Boar, Elephant and Bull stepped forth as they began to ascend to the Spirit Realm, with Po's other rivals such as Master Rhino, Master Cheetah and Master Ocelot soon following. Eventually, all that was left was Tai Lung, Shen and Kai, who seemed a little hesitant to join their fellow adversaries in the realm of eternal enlightenment.

"Well, what's the hold up? Don't tell me you guys want a hug before you leave!"

"A hug... Would actually feel nice," Tai Lung soon offered his embrace, himself warmed by the Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace as he rested his head against Po's shoulder. "I was angry twenty years ago when Oogway refused to offer me the scroll... Now I see that the scroll wasn't the thing that held the power, but it was the person who inherited that role and the one who embraced their destiny. I'll see you guys back at the coffee shop!" Tai Lung waved back to Shen and Kai as he ascended into the rift between the Mortal Realm and the Spirit Realm, leaving just Shen and Kai.

"I am... Deeply sorry for the terror I brought upon your species as well as your mother. No words can seek forgiveness, nor can they bring peace. Your mother is in the Spirit Realm alongside her panda brethren, and although I have never seen them; I know they look down on you with pride as opposed to my own parents. It goes to show that you took the right path, not seeking glory, but earning it. I cannot give you a gift worthy enough of your forgiveness... However, I will not be needing this anymore," Shen took his Guan Dao out from underneath his robe, handing it over to Po whilst bowing. "May this indicate a gesture of peace between us, and may my craftsmanship combined with your knowledge continue to defend China as it was initially supposed to," Shen finished handing over his Guan Dao, wishing to avoid a hug, yet he was still pulled into one from the Spiritual Leader as he hesitantly wrapped his wings around the panda.

"I forgive you," Po reassured Shen as Shen swiftly broke free from Po's embrace.

"What? H-How could you forgive such a monster-"

"Because forgiveness sets us free. Am I going to hold a grudge against you for something that happened to me when I was young- that happened to my biological father? No. Wounds heal, scars fade, even my father forgives you!"

"I still miss her but... I know she's proud of me," Li Shan slipped out his emotional sentiments as he nodded at Shen as himself, Mr. Ping and the rest of their makeshift bandit army had finally burst through the doors to accompany Po.

"All you've got to do is forgive yourself, and judging by the fact you've even hugged me, I'd say you're on the right track," Po even bowed down to Shen, acknowledging the mutual respect and struggle they both endured regarding seeking their parents approval.

"Thank you... Thank you all for forgiving me. May my Guan Dao serve you well in battle. Farewell!" Shen quickly jumped forth into the gateway back to the coffee shop. He may have been humble enough to acknowledge his weaknesses, but he was not ready to humiliate himself by crying in front of the very man that he once envied and wished to destroy.

"That leaves one, that would be me," Kai remarked as he towered over the Spiritual Leader, looking him up and down. "For five hundred years I felt trapped in the Spirit Realm, even encasing Oogway within his own amulet as I looked to defeat you, his successor... I realised that conquest wasn't my thing anymore and was growing out of fashion. Why would I want power if everyone is terrified of me instead of appreciative? I've been doing better since I was overwhelmed with Chi and pieced myself together in the Spirit Realm. I've yet to seek Oogway's forgiveness, but if he's anything like you; I know he'd forgive me like you've forgiven Shen," Kai peered around, noticing a growing audience encircling him alongside the gateway back to the Spirit Realm. "I'm still finding my way to peace and may be procrastinating a bit, yet a bit of hesitance is good sometimes, right? It keeps you grounded. Ah, maybe I'll come and pay you a visit, Oogway. As for now... It's my time to go," As Kai began ascending into and through the portal, a massive bang reverberated across the lair as Qianzhi and her army broke into the Chameleon's lair.

"What the- who are you?" Zhen tilted her head as the qipao-wearing raccoon began darting up the walls, pointing forth to the Dragon Warrior as her legion of bulls, followed by bears, wolves and foxes, began to flood the room as Zhen's makeshift army clashed with Qianzhi's army.

"You can call me... China's last liberator. Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace- wherever that is. You are misusing the power bestowed upon you by the Great Master Oogway-"

"Wait- this is impossible- you're dead! You died thirty years ago in a battle against the emperor!" Kai looked on with horror as Po's stunned remark sent shivers down his spine.

"WAIT-WAIT-WAIT- DON'T CLOSE THE PORTAL! WAIT!" Suddenly, Kai was pulled into the Spirit Realm by both Tai Lung and Shen, the portal closing behind him as Kai was sent into a state of panic.

"Freedom never dies, panda. Your history books demonise me, tell misogynistic tales of how I'm 'Oblivion' and how anyone who's tempted by my tall tale of promises will never end up in the Spirit Realm. Well, I was there for thirty years and your little reptilian friend here opened up Pandora's box for myself and my army, isn't that so?" The psychotic raccoon peered down towards the Chameleon, who was clearly growing old as opposed to Qianzhi's eternally youthful form.

"...You! You're my cheap imitator!" The Chameleon exclaimed spitefully, attempting to attack Qianzhi but to no avail.

"How arrogant... Have you forgotten that I was the first Queen of Thieves? Or has old age made you senile?"

"Wait-wait-wait... You two know each other?" Po interrupted this particularly dramatic moment, his comment even briefly halting the offences made by Qianzhi's Spirit Warrior army.

"Yes! She's a faker and a fraud! She tried to depose the emperor-"

"I know her story, Chameleon! It's awesome! But since when did you two know each other?" Po was puzzled as he casually threw a bull across the room before firmly planting his feet down onto the floor to confront the two.

"We were business partners. I offered her the war spoils, she would train me a better army as well as continue to enhance her sorcery. As time went on and my silent revolution grew, she became greedy and began taking the spoils for herself. This forced me to deal with an underpaid army, and when she was confronted, she ran away! I was forced to steal for my army and raise my rebellion army to satisfy their gluttonous ways, which led to our revolution failing! Now..." Qianzhi shot a twisted gaze at Po as she readied herself for combat, Po's jade staff, still glowing from opening up a portal to the Spirit Realm with such ease, seemed like a shiny prize to her that would satisfy her every desire. "Panda... You're already the Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace. How would you feel about a promotion? The Spiritual Leader of all of China? All you have to do is hand me that staff, and the promotion is yours!"

"Po! I know we have our differences, but please! Do not trust her! Don't be tempted by her seductive promises of power!" The raccoon snarled at the Chameleon's comment, stamping onto her exhausted face with her boot as she continued to tear a hole through Po's soul as his mind was gripped by a tsunami of conflict.

"Po! Take it from a gal that tried to obey a thief that promised her glory and riches, yet kept me on the poverty line! Do NOT be tempted by her!" Zhen persuaded Po, but it seemed as if he had made up his mind as he positioned himself, ready to confront the invader of the Mortal Realm.

"I made my decision the moment she threw herself and her army in here! She's trouble and she needs to be taken care of! Okay, Qianzhi, your rebellion against the emperor didn't go to plan and neither will this... All reboots suck, first Kai and now you! When will you Spirit Warriors learn that the Spirit Realm is a place of peace and not a place to resent!"

"I'll always resent the Spirit Realm so long as that fat Owl and his even fatter wife remain in charge. How is he still alive? Anyway, I gave you a chance to accept my offer and let glory guide you, you're a fool to deny such power; especially when I plan on remodelling China to be fairer for everyone!" Qianzhi reached back into her hilt in the hopes of pulling out her sword as Kung Fu wasn't her strong suit.

"And you're going to do that by making yourself the Empress of China and reducing everyone else to being peasants? Is that how you're going to achieve fairness? All of you villains are the same, the Chameleon and now you- WHOA!" Qianzhi lunged at Po with her sword in hand as Po narrowly avoided getting his head sliced off by performing the splits, the world briefly turning in slow motion as Zhen noticed her makeshift army was beginning to lose alongside retreat.

"Come on, people! Stand your ground!" Zhen ordered in the hopes everyone would listen to her.

"We signed up for a panda, we didn't sign up for this!" Dan, the pangolin in charge of the Den of Thieves, spitefully spat back. "Everyone! Fall back, this is a trap and a suicide mission!"

"Dan! Stop being a coward!" Zhen ordered as she drop kicked one of the bulls engaging Dan. "If you're standing up for the right thing for the wrong reason, keep fighting for us! We can still win this!" Yet, Zhen's voice wasn't as convincing as Dan's, considering she had been exiled for a long time and her voice wasn't worthy of as much respect as Dan's.

"We have been tricked by Zhen! This is her way of ending us and claiming the Den of Thieves as her own by using this panda fellow! Head out the way we came in and don't look back!" Dan commanded as Zhen looked back at him, spite filling her very soul as Dan soon made eye contact with her.

"You're betraying us. You're betraying Juniper City, you're betraying the Dragon Warrior, you're betraying the Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace and for what? Can't you do the right thing for once, Dan?" Zhen was on the verge of tears as Dan tore a hole through her, his icy gaze not breaking as he pushed back a fox that made up Qianzhi's army before looking back at Zhen snarkily.

"It's business, Zhen. We don't play by your rules anymore," The pesky pangolin rolled up into a ball and up the stairs that had led him to the lair in the first place, his army soon retreating alongside them as Po and Zhen were left alone to confront Qianzhi's might.

"Hmph, there goes your private army. Seems as if it's just the two of you! Oooh! This is going to be rich! Has anyone got a canvas? We need to paint the moment that Qianzhi takes down both the Dragon Warrior and this esteemed 'Spiritual Leader' once and for all to begin her revolution that'll sweep across China!" Qianzhi swiped Po's staff from him whilst engaging him during combat as she sent Zhen packing, launching her out of the lair with a simple kick. "It's just you and me, esteemed Spiritual Leader. Do your worst-"

"He's *COUGH-COUGH* not alone! And you shouldn't assume that I'll go down without a fight!" The Chameleon emerged from her imprisonment, this time not seeking Po's defeat, but instead the staff that brought her so much might. "I may not know Kung Fu, but I know the art of deception!" The Chameleon then turned invisible, hoping to steal the Jade Staff of Wisdom off Qianzhi, who saw her coming and simply kicked her back.

"Hahaha! Did you think it would be that easy? Time hasn't been nice to you, my fine adversary!"

"Po! Run!" The Chameleon commanded, not willing to let herself be defeated for the wrong and selfish reasons.

"What about my staff, Chameleon?" Po's voice was filled with desperation as he continued to hold off Qianzhi's army. Li Shan and Ping had also retreated after Zhen signalled to them to leave the lair immediately.

"Knowing how well you fought me... Her possession of the staff will be temporary as you hold more power than what could possibly be syphoned from it. Now, leave, Spiritual Leader! This is business between two old rivals!" Po hesitated but considering Mr. Ping was attempting to call him over, all it took was for Po to round up one of Qianzhi's foxes, stuff them into a ball as well as use them as a bowling ball which knocked a line of her army across the room; this enabled Po to rush up the stairs leading out of the Chameleon's lair, albeit in a swift panic.

"Ah, so your intentions were as shallow as ruling over Juniper City and eventually the entirety of China? Ooh, how original! I'm just sparkling from the amount of innovation required to conjure such an idea!" Qianzhi taunted the Chameleon as her finest generals surrounded her, pointing blades at her as the reptile raised her hands in surrender. "Oh, let me guess! You were going to invade all of China, claim it as your own and make everyone bow before you?"

"Juniper City and the neighbouring towns were my most likely targets, yes... What has happened to you, QIanzhi? Have you learned nothing since you were banished to the Spirit Realm by the Emperor?" Qianzhi let off a snarl as the Chameleon was further backed into one of the chilling corners that made up her own lair.

"People need to stop mentioning that. I wouldn't consider it a banishment, more like a temporary vacation... As for you? Your vacation is going to be permanent. If you see the same Qianzhi you encountered and attempted to rip off thirty years ago, then think again. My army may not have lasted long without your gold, but they won't need you anymore. Our terms shall be satisfied, and now that I have the power to summon whoever I wish from the Spirit Realm into the Mortal Realm... China, Japan, Goryeo and the world shall be mine-"

"QIANZHI WAIT-" But it was too late, the Chameleon had already been banished to the Spirit Realm via use of Po's Jade Staff of Wisdom. Except that part of it wasn't jade anymore, the yin-yang symbol sitting on the top had been shattered, still floating as fragments in place as it glowed purple. Although it spiritually belonged to Po, when in the hands of a sorceress that wields the correct abilities, it can be charmed and deceived into following the orders of different owners.

Po watched in horror as the seemingly terrifying and death-defying Chameleon, an opponent he had worked hard to face, was banished to the Spirit Realm with such ease as he realised the power of the staff that Oogway had granted him was much more than a playful remark... But a responsibility that he was bound by destiny to protect and maintain a hold of his entire lifetime. With this loss and Spirit Warriors beginning to slowly pour in from the Spirit Realm itself, Po, Zhen and his fathers had no choice but to fall back, leaving Qianzhi amidst her spoils of war. At least for now.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Spirit Warriors from across the provinces. Allow me to declare phase one of my grand operation complete. Phase two shall now commence as I open up multiple doors between the Spirit Realm and the Mortal Realm in the hopes of recruiting some of the finest warriors, friends as well as foes as I unite them for a common purpose... Ruling over China the correct way. The Mieshi Dynasty may have been written into the history books over thirty years ago, forgotten, forsaken, dismantled and destroyed; yet today, we hold history within the palm of our hands as the ability to redefine it offers endless opportunities for us all. We hold the tool of righteousness, with our combined wrath, China, that pudgy panda as well as his friends shall be kissing our boots," Qianzhi used her sorcery abilities in combination with Po's Jade Staff of Wisdom to begin levitating in the air, illustrating the truly awe striking amount of power she held to those ascending into the Mortal Realm as well as her army standing before her.

"When we began this revolution thirty years ago, we sought an end to the inequality that befell upon the class structure of our great Chinese Empire. No more would the women be forced to marry ungrateful men. No more would aristocrats dominate Chinese law. No more would corruption rise like a plague inside of our great realm and no more would the rich rip away opportunities from aspiring business founders for the sake of it inconveniencing their long term goals for success. All of us were created equal, from bull to bunny, we all carry our strengths and weaknesses; but together, we are an unstoppable force that can depose the Emperor of China and impose our own free rule. No more will the Chinese Empire exist. From this day out, we mark the map with our name, the Mieshi Dynasty! Soon to become the Chinese Realm as opposed to that outdated Chinese Empire," As Qianzhi's voice reverberated throughout the lair, her adversaries, most loyal friends and anyone unlucky enough to find themselves pulled in from the Spirit Realm at random, were introduced to Qianzhi's great ambition as well as her dedication to reforming China once and before.

"Many great dynasties and rulers have come before us, yet they lack one thing... Spirit Warriors. Our defiance of the Spirit Realm shall be the reckoning of anyone who oppose us as we take over this city and this lair peacefully, watching and waiting. Before long, like a volcano resting on the ridges of the horizon, we shall erupt and show China that our ambition never dies and that freedom will always survive. This corrupt way of society can only go on for so long and is already falling out of fashion, no more shall we bow down to Kung Fu Masters, politicians, bureaucrats and the Emperor's disgustingly high number of wives. Today marks the day where we carve our own destiny... The right destiny. Most villains rise when the moon is full and the tide is high. Whilst the world will attempt to write us off as villains, we will rise when the sun is on the horizon and a new morning awaits; for true heroes strike when the world awaits their calling!" Qianzhi's speech, the first of many, was awarded a vast cheer as those who had been sucked into the lair at random were completely oblivious as to what was happening. Yet, the way she worded her objectives began to convince even the most staunch of rivals to believe in her; to believe in a China that seemed free in their eyes.

Meanwhile, Po was rushing down the cliffside in which the Chameleon's lair was situated, finding the time to hastily write together a message addressed to someone important. His heart was beating a thousand times a second, Zhen, for the first time, felt genuine fear, all the while Li Shan and Ping's seemingly humble present day experience now turned into a nightmare of haunting uncertainty as Po paused to hand his goose father his scroll.

"I told you where Tigress's mission is located whilst rushing down here. Dad, I need you to fly out of Juniper City and deliver this to her as fast as possible. I couldn't write everything, so please, tell her to round up the Furious Five and to meet us by following the instructions I've written for her," Po was on the verge of tears, remaining brave in front of his two fathers as he handed Ping his golden scroll.

"But Po! What if I don't make it? I haven't been a messenger goose in ten years!" Mr. Ping was petrified as Li Shan picked him up gently, bringing him into an embrace before placing Ping back on the floor.

"You've seen how brave I can be for our boy... Now it's your turn. Once you get in the air, flap your wings and let the air guide you! I heard it in a novel I read ten years ago!" Li Shan offered his words of encouragement as Mr. Ping looked down the cliffside. With one final look back at his son alongside his brother-in-law of sorts, albeit not by marriage; Mr. Ping dove down the cliffside before opening his wings and taking flight, frantic flapping turning to consistent flapping as he yelled "I'M DOING IT! I'M MAKING MY BOY PROUD!" as he faded out of earshot, leaving just Po, Zhen and Li Shan.

"We're not just going to... Run away, are we?" Zhen remarked whilst raising one of her eyebrows.

"We're going to make it seem like we've run away, but in reality, we're hiding on her doorstep the entire time! Now, follow me... After we've made it to our safe space, we'll have plenty of butts to kick and names to take!" Po took one last look at the Chameleon's lair, sensing that her presence was no more and she had instead been replaced by a much more intimidating counterpart. The worst part was, Po had the power of all three of his adversaries by his side, ready to defeat this Spirit Warrior that made her way into the Mortal Realm; yet his selfless decision to send them home resulted in him confronting her might alone...

Let's just hope Po doesn't remain alone for too long.