Kung Fu Panda: Reborn as Po

The cold air of the mountains clawed at Tai Lung's fur as he trudged through the snow. Each breath came out as a plume of frost, his body running low on energy after the grueling escape. He tightened the remnants of his shredded prison garments around himself, the fabric doing little to shield him from the biting wind.

Hunger gnawed at his stomach like a relentless beast. He hadn't eaten in days, and his body—though conditioned for hardship—was nearing its limit. Food. He needed food.

In the distance, smoke curled from a small village nestled at the base of the mountains. The sight brought a cruel smile to Tai Lung's face. Where there was smoke, there was fire. Where there was fire, there was warmth and sustenance.

The villagers froze when the door to the modest restaurant creaked open. Tai Lung stepped inside, his imposing form filling the entrance. His eyes scanned the room, sharp and predatory. Conversations died mid-sentence. The faint clinking of cups and bowls fell silent.

It didn't take long for someone to recognize him.

"It's... it's Tai Lung!" a rabbit stammered, dropping her plate in fright.

The rest of the diners bolted, chairs scraping across the floor as they fled in a panic. The clamor of their retreat carried into the streets, spreading the word like wildfire.

Tai Lung ignored the chaos, his golden eyes locking onto the counter. Steam rose from a large pot, the scent of hot soup filling his nostrils. His stomach growled audibly, and for a moment, the legendary warrior allowed himself a fleeting sense of satisfaction.

He moved behind the counter with an effortless leap, grabbing a large bowl and ladling out a hearty serving. Tai Lung didn't bother with manners. He gulped down the broth and tore into the bread he found nearby, devouring it with animalistic hunger.

As he reached for a second helping, a loud commotion outside caught his attention. The shouting and panicked voices were quickly drowned out by a single, furious roar.

"TAI LUNG!"

Tai Lung sighed, finishing the bowl in one swift motion before stepping out of the restaurant.

The village square had become a ghost town, save for one figure. Standing amidst the empty streets was a large tiger clad in black and orange robes, his muscular frame tensed with rage. His amber eyes burned with fury as they locked onto Tai Lung.

"Huo," Tai Lung said, his voice as calm and cold as the mountain air.

Huo's tail lashed behind him as he took a step forward, pointing an accusatory claw at Tai Lung. "You dare show your face here?!" he snarled. "After everything you did to me?"

Tai Lung raised an eyebrow. "You'll have to be more specific. I've done a great many things to a great many people."

Huo's face twisted in anger. "Don't play coy with me! You know exactly what I'm talking about!"

Tai Lung smirked, leaning casually against a wooden post. "Oh, that."

"You humiliated me!" Huo roared, his voice echoing through the empty streets. "In front of everyone! You—" his voice cracked with anger, "—you used those cursed nerve strikes to make me—"

"To make you wet yourself," Tai Lung finished for him, his tone laced with mockery.

Huo's claws dug into the ground, his face a mask of rage. "You made me a laughingstock! My students, my peers, my entire village—they all saw me reduced to nothing but a joke because of you!"

Tai Lung shrugged, inspecting his claws nonchalantly. "You lost a fight. It happens. The fact that you're still hung up on it after all these years says more about you than it does about me."

Huo's body trembled, his breathing ragged. "You ignored me—walked away as if I were nothing! As if I weren't even worth finishing off!"

"You weren't," Tai Lung said simply.

The words struck like a blow. Huo's eyes widened, then narrowed into slits. His entire body radiated fury, his tail whipping behind him like a coiled whip ready to strike.

"I will make you pay for what you did to me," Huo growled, his voice low and menacing. "You will suffer for the disgrace you brought upon me."

Tai Lung straightened, his expression turning icy. "You can try," he said, his voice dripping with disdain.

Huo snarled, but Tai Lung turned on his heel, walking away as if the tiger's threats were beneath him. "Grow stronger before you challenge me again, Huo. Otherwise, you'll just embarrass yourself a second time."

As he disappeared down the street, Huo stood frozen, his fury bubbling over. He roared into the night sky, a sound filled with unbridled rage and a vow of vengeance.

Tai Lung smirked to himself as he left the village. He had no time for old rivals. There were greater battles ahead, and his path to reclaiming his destiny had only just begun.

AN: Thanks for the Powerstones and all the Comments, Feed me more of them. You Guys are the best, and YOUR Support shows it.