Kung Fu Panda: Reborn as Po

In the shadows of the ruined palace of Gongmen City, Lord Shen stood before a massive, incomplete cannon. His talons lightly tapped the cold steel barrel, the sound echoing through the vast, dimly lit chamber. The peacock's crimson eyes gleamed with a sinister light, his sharp beak curving into a wicked smile.

He began to speak, not to anyone but to himself—a habit born of years of solitude and festering hatred.

"Power... It's always about power."

He paced the room, his flowing robes brushing against the stone floor. His feathers shimmered like spilled oil in the dim light.

"They mocked me. Called me a fool, a dreamer. Even my own family banished me for daring to see the future. And yet, here I am—alive. The winds of fate are cruel, aren't they? The panda was supposed to die. My wolves made sure of it. Or so I thought."

Shen's talons clenched into fists, his calm tone wavering for a moment before he steadied himself.

"But no, the universe had other plans. It gave him power, glory, fame. It made him a hero, a leader, a... legend."

The last word dripped with disdain.

"Po the Dragon Emperor. Emperor!" Shen spat, his voice rising. "A bumbling, idiotic, insipid panda now sits atop a throne that should have been mine. He preaches peace, unity, harmony. But the world isn't built on peace. It's built on power, on fear, on domination. And I will remind them of that truth."

"First, I'll take the capital."

Shen turned to a large map spread across the table. It depicted China and the neighboring kingdoms, with Gongmen City marked as a central hub. Lines and notes scrawled in red ink traced potential routes to the imperial capital.

"The Dragon Emperor has grown complacent. He thinks his 'army' and his 'kings' can protect him. But armies are nothing against ingenuity. Against fire and steel."

Shen gestured toward the cannon, its massive frame looming in the background.

"This... This is my answer to his chi, his kung fu, his so-called strength. It doesn't matter how many soldiers or warriors he has. One well-placed shot will send the capital crumbling to the ground. And when his people see their beloved emperor fall, they will beg for mercy. They will beg for me."

He paused, his sharp gaze settling on the map again.

"The Kings and Queens of his alliance... They'll turn on him eventually. They are rulers—they understand ambition. I only need to give them the right nudge. A whisper here, a bribe there, a display of force when necessary. Divide and conquer. It's a simple strategy, but it works every time."

"And when I take the capital..."

Shen's voice softened, his tone almost reverent.

"I will not just rebuild Gongmen City—I will rebuild the world. My empire will not be a chaotic mess of traditions and weakness. It will be one nation, one people, one ruler: me."

He traced a talon across the map, carving a path of conquest.

"My armies will march across the lands. I will tear down their temples, burn their scrolls, erase their history. The Dragon Emperor's name will be forgotten, just like his people almost were. I'll remind them why they feared the peacock clan. Why they feared me."

"And Po..."

Shen's eyes narrowed, his voice dripping with malice.

"The panda thinks he knows power. He thinks chi makes him invincible. But chi is just energy, and energy is finite. He will fall, just like everyone else who dares to oppose me. And when he does, I'll take everything from him—his palace, his friends, his legacy."

The peacock's feathers bristled, his voice rising to a crescendo.

"I'll leave him broken, humiliated, and forgotten. He'll wish he had never left that noodle shop. He'll wish he had never been born."

"It all begins with the capital."

Shen stepped back from the map, his mind racing with plans and contingencies.

"I will strike at the heart of his empire. The people will see the Dragon Emperor fail to protect them, and their fear will turn to despair. And in that despair, I will rise as their savior."

He turned to a group of wolves standing silently in the shadows, their eyes gleaming with loyalty and bloodlust.

"Prepare the cannons. Gather the weapons. The time for hiding is over. The time for conquest begins now."

The wolves saluted and hurried off to carry out his orders. Shen remained behind, his gaze fixed on the map. He placed a single talon on the capital, pressing down until the parchment tore.

"Soon, this will all be mine. And the world will remember my name."

With that, Shen spread his wings and let out a peal of cold laughter that echoed through the ruins, a harbinger of the chaos to come.

AN: If you enjoyed this Chapter, drop some Powerstones to show me your appreciation of said Chapter, thanks and see YOU in the next one.