The dust over the ruined mountain slowly drifted away, yet no one in the Jade Palace courtyard could tear their eyes from the destruction they had witnessed. After what felt like eternity Po and the others had shifted their gaze from the shattered peak back to Tai Lung, only to see him walking silently, steadily, toward Shifu.
He stopped a few feet away, his golden eyes steady. "You have gotten older," Tai Lung said quietly.
Shifu stood frozen, his expression filled with shock. His mouth opened as if to speak, then closed again. He tried once more, but no words came. He could only stare, unable to reconcile the figure before him with the student he once loved and lost.
"I knew you would recognize me if I continued fighting Po," Tai Lung continued, his tone more restrained now, almost gentle. He gave a small smile. "Oogway was right about Po. He is worthy of being the Dragon Warrior. But that doesn't take away from the fact that I am the greatest student you have ever taught."
At last, Shifu managed to find his voice. "How…? Why did you change like this? What happened to you?"
Tai Lung's gaze softened. "It is a long story," he admitted. "But over the years, I had time to think of everything. Your turning your back on me was no excuse for the destruction I unleashed, I implicated innocents. My pride, my anger… they blinded me back then. You were both my father and my teacher, and I repaid all of that by attacking you for a single mistake you made. I came back to say… I am sorry. For all the pain I have caused you."
Then, to everyone's shock, Tai Lung dropped to his knees. He pressed his forehead to the ground, kowtowing before his old master.
The courtyard fell silent. Po and the others stared wide-eyed, realization dawning on them. This human form, this strange visitor… was the same snow leopard who had once terrorized the Valley of Peace and gave them the beating of their life.
Shifu's eyes trembled as he looked at the disciple who had once shattered his heart. For several long seconds, he said nothing. Then, in a voice that quivered with both pain and relief, he said, "Raise your head, Tai Lung."
Tai Lung lifted his gaze. Slowly, Shifu stepped forward. Then, in an act that stunned everyone present, he pulled Tai Lung into an embrace.
"I don't know what happened to you," Shifu whispered softly. "But I am so glad you let go of the anger and hate that once consumed you."
Tai Lung returned the hug, his arms tightening around the master who had once been both father and teacher to him. From the side, Po, Zhen, and the Furious Five watched in silence, their disbelief mixing with awe.
——————
Hours later, the courtyard was calm again. Tai Lung sat with Shifu, Po, and the others, speaking openly.
He told them how he had stumbled upon an anomaly that had flung him into another world. He had lived there for nearly seventeen years. And yet, from what he learned, only six years had passed since Po's fight with the Chameleon.
Tai Lung spoke of strange spirits, bending, and wonders beyond imagination. The tale fascinated all who listened.
When he finished, Shifu's face fell, sadness shadowing his eyes. "So… this is a one-time visit. A moment that will never happen again."
Tai Lung nodded. "I am sorry. According to the ancient spirit who helped me return, I will never be able to visit this world after today."
The monkey slumped back with a sigh. "That's kind of disappointing. Just when you stop being all angry and evil, you're stuck in a different world."
"That is my fate," Tai Lung replied calmly.
Po leaned forward curiously. "So what are you planning to do in the other world now? Are you going to be a protector of peace?"
Tai Lung went quiet, thinking for a moment. Then he said, "I've been searching for my purpose for years. But after this visit… I think I finally know what I want to do with my life. Actually, Po, you gave me inspiration."
"Me?" Po blinked, pointing at himself.
Tai Lung chuckled. "If a silly panda like you can become a teacher, then so can I. In fact, I've taught before, and I found it… relaxing…. enjoyable even. When I go back, I want to focus more on that. Perhaps I'll even start a Jade Palace branch in another world."
"I am not silly!" Po protested, puffing out his chest.
Shifu smiled gently. "That sounds nice. I am glad and grateful that you found your own path."
But Crane frowned thoughtfully. "There's one thing I don't understand. You said the spirit gave you three days to come here… and now you're saying your time is nearing its end. How did you lose all of your time?"
Tai Lung let out a sigh before speaking. "The spirit sent me back to the Spirit Realm, and I didn't know how to leave it on my own. I needed time to figure that out. So, I went after an old acquaintance of yours… to learn from him."
His words puzzled everyone. Po, Tigress, the Furious Five, even Shifu, all of them exchanged confused glances.
Reaching into his pocket, Tai Lung pulled out a glowing green jade and held it up. The moment they saw it, everyone's faces shifted in shock. The jade pulsed faintly, unmistakably belonging to Kai.
Po's jaw dropped. "Wait… you learned from Kai? His chi-stealing art? And then you stole his chi and turned him into a jade?"
A sly smile spread across Tai Lung's face. "Pretty much. It took me some time, especially since he was reluctant to teach me and it's not easy to pull it off in the first place."
Shifu and the others simply stared at him, their disbelief written across their faces. Tai Lung chuckled. "Don't give me that look. Think of it as me giving him a taste of his own medicine. He'll be free when I'm gone."
Reluctantly, the group nodded.
Crane tilted his head. "So, with his chi and yours combined, you managed to leave the Spirit Realm?"
Tai Lung shook his head. "His chi isn't that great. The only special thing about him is his perverted art."
Tigress narrowed her eyes. "Then what did you do?"
Tai Lung slipped another hand into his other pocket and pulled out another jade. This one shone with a soft, golden light. The courtyard went silent.
It was Oogway's.
Everyone froze. Their breaths caught in their throats. Shifu's eyes darted back and forth between Tai Lung and the jade in disbelief. His voice trembled when he finally spoke. "You… you stole Master Oogway's chi?"
Tai Lung shook his head calmly. "I didn't steal it. I went to him so he could lend me his chi. But he was hesitant, clearly, he didn't have his grand disciple in heart. So, I had to… regretfully borrow it with a little force. Fear not, I didn't hit him too hard."
Shifu's expression darkened. "And here I thought you had started a new life away from dark impulses."
"It's not that bad," Tai Lung countered. "Think about it, he's experienced being a jade before and it is not like he feels anything in this state. He's too old and probably went through worse things than me. Besides, he's always meditating in the Spirit Realm. It is just a one day break before he goes back to an eternity of meditation. But I must admit, I enjoyed the payback."
Shifu was left speechless again as Tai Lung chuckled to himself.
Zhen crossed her arms, frowning. "It's wrong… but it kind of makes sense."
Everyone turned to stare at her. She shrugged.
Po suddenly pointed at Tai Lung. "Hold on! so I lost to you when you had Master Oogway's and Kai's power to aid you?"
Tai Lung smirked. "I didn't use their chi. You lost fair and square against me."
Before Po could reply, Tai Lung's entire body pulsed red. He looked down at his hand, feeling the strange energy rising, then quickly tossed the two jades toward Po. "It seems my time is up. Do me a favor, send these two back to the Spirit Realm after I'm gone."
Po caught them carefully, his expression heavy.
Tai Lung turned his gaze toward Shifu. His voice was softer now, almost reverent. "Father… thanks for everything you've done for me. I want you to know that I will honor your teaching this time. I won't disappoint you, even if you're not watching."
Shifu's face softened into a warm, trembling smile.
Tai Lung shifted his gaze to the others. "I am sorry for the past. I hope you will look after Master Shifu in his old life."
Tigress smiled faintly. "You don't have to say a word. We are fellow students of Master Shifu."
The rest of the Furious Five nodded firmly in agreement. Tai Lung smiled back at them.
Finally, he turned to Po. "You might be a silly fat panda… but I've learned much from you. Thanks, Po."
Then, one last time, Tai Lung looked back at Shifu. He gave his master a final smile then bowed. And in a flash of red light, his body vanished.
The courtyard grew silent again.
Shifu's smile slowly faded as a single tear traced down his cheek. His voice was soft, heavy with both sorrow and peace.
"Tai Lung… has left us for good."