The Kung Fu Council

Tai Lung awoke to the sound of birds chirping outside the abandoned restaurant. He stretched his arms wide, his muscles rippling as he let out a long, satisfied yawn. His tail swished lazily as he rolled his shoulders, feeling the tension of his recent battle with Huo melt away.

With one last stretch, he stood, towering over the dusty remains of overturned tables and broken chairs. "Time to move on," he muttered to himself, brushing a stray feather from his shoulder.

Tai Lung padded out of the village, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon. Snow still clung stubbornly to the ground, but he could smell the salt of the sea in the air. The promise of fresh fish drew a faint grin to his lips. Fish had always been a favorite of his—clean, fresh, and satisfying.

After hours of trekking, he arrived at a small fishing village nestled along the coast. Wooden houses perched precariously on stilts, with narrow docks stretching out into the water. The village seemed serene, but the moment Tai Lung set foot within its bounds, the tranquility shattered.

"He's here!" someone shouted.

"Run!"

The villagers scattered like leaves in the wind, their screams echoing as they abandoned their nets, boats, and freshly caught fish. Tai Lung sighed, his ears flattening slightly. "Not again," he muttered.

Unbothered, he made his way to the pier. He settled cross-legged at the edge, the wood creaking slightly under his weight. With a flick of his wrist, he jabbed his claws into the water, sending a precise piercing strike below the surface. A fish floated up seconds later, and Tai Lung plucked it out, admiring its silvery sheen.

"Perfect," he said, biting into it without hesitation.

Tai Lung had devoured his fourth fish when he sensed a shift in the air. Heavy footsteps and the faint creak of armor heralded the approach of warriors. His ears twitched as he caught the rhythm of their movements—disciplined, deliberate, and dangerous.

He didn't look up as they came into view, his attention focused on his next fish.

"Tai Lung," came a deep, commanding voice.

Tai Lung lazily turned his head. Before him stood three imposing figures.

Storming Ox, massive and broad-shouldered, stood with his arms crossed, his horns gleaming in the sunlight. Master Croc, with his sleek, scaly form, moved with a predatory grace, his sharp eyes fixed on the snow leopard. Behind them, towering above the others, was Master Thundering Rhino, his golden armor shining brilliantly.

Tai Lung smirked, pulling another fish from the water. "Well, well, the Kung Fu Council. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Storming Ox stepped forward, his voice a low growl. "You're not welcome here, Tai Lung. Leave now, and we might let you go without a fight."

Tai Lung chuckled, taking a bite of his fish. "Might let me go? How generous of you." He wiped his mouth with the back of his paw and stood, towering over the three warriors. "You came all this way just to tell me I'm not welcome? I feel so special."

Master Croc hissed, his tail flicking. "This is your only warning, Tai Lung. We won't let you terrorize these lands."

"Terrorize?" Tai Lung raised an eyebrow. "Do I look like I'm terrorizing anyone? I'm just a hungry traveler enjoying some fish. You're the ones disturbing my meal."

Thundering Rhino's deep voice cut through the tension. "You've left a trail of fear in your wake, Tai Lung. People are terrified of what you might do. We're here to stop you before you cause any more harm."

Tai Lung laughed, a rich, rolling sound that echoed over the waves. "People fear what they don't understand. I haven't laid a paw on anyone who didn't deserve it." He tilted his head, his piercing eyes locking onto the rhino. "But you've already decided I'm guilty, haven't you?"

Storming Ox slammed his hoof into the pier, causing it to tremble. "Enough of your games! Leave, or we'll make you leave."

Tai Lung sighed, turning his back on them and gazing out at the water. "You three really should learn to relax. Life's too short to be this uptight." He crouched, readying his claws for another strike at the water.

"You mock us," Croc growled, his fists clenching.

Tai Lung glanced over his shoulder, a playful smirk on his face. "Mock you? No, I'm just enjoying the show. But if you're so eager to fight, I suggest you think twice. I'm not in the mood to go easy on anyone."

The council exchanged tense glances, their muscles coiled as they prepared for a possible clash. Tai Lung, however, remained calm, flicking a fish scale off his paw.

"For now," Tai Lung said, his voice low and measured, "I suggest you enjoy the peace while it lasts. There's enough chaos in the world without me adding to it."

He turned fully, meeting each of their gazes in turn. "But if you insist on a fight…" His claws flexed, and his grin widened. "…you'd better be ready to lose."