It's been a week since I joined the training. Originally, I just planned to explore the Valley of Peace and bring the others for sightseeing, but Diastasi recommended I join as well.
Of course, I listened to her advice, though I would have left if the training wasn't working. To my surprise, it did work.
I can now control my mana better and manage my strength to the point where I can take a step without disturbing even the wind.
I've become practically a shadow. The training could have progressed faster, but Igneel kept entering his rage state every now and then.
Today, he finally has enough control over his emotions and urges, but that's only because I tire him out and let him release his stress.
Right now we're heading back to the village. Ever since I told Igneel about it, he's been quite excited.
"Give me a sun-kissed flower," Igneel asked.
I raised an eyebrow.
"And why would I do that?"
"I need it for Mulan," he said.
I paused for a moment, then sighed.
"Well, it's only fair," I muttered and gave him the flower.
I only had a dozen left in my inventory. I need to ask Rapunzel for more. After he took it, we teleported back to the village.
"Alright, I have to go back. A guy named Tai Lung escaped from prison, and I want to make sure everyone is alright," I said.
He nodded and left for Mulan's mansion.
"Sigh, this kid,"
Mulan's POV
It's been a week since Igneel left, and it's been difficult. For some reason, I've been growing weaker each day.
My stomach has also been getting bigger rapidly. It looks like I could give birth any day now.
My father called for a physician after seeing my condition. Even the doctor was confused by the unusual speed of my pregnancy.
I don't go outside anymore since people have been giving me disgusted stares. Where are you, Igneel?
I made my way to the ancestral shrine, knelt down, and lit some incense.
"Ancestors, please let Igneel return quickly," I prayed.
I kowtowed three times, then struggled to stand. Suddenly, hands grabbed and lifted me up. I turned and realized it was Igneel.
He looked at me with concern.
"Why are you so pale?" he asked, worry etched across his face.
"I don't know," I replied weakly.
His eyes changed as he examined me, stopping at my stomach.
"Have you noticed? It's our child," I smiled.
But his face turned into a frown.
"W-what's wrong?" I asked, a hint of worry in my voice.
"The child is taking your life force," he said.
What? What does he mean?
"It's a nuisance," he said coldly.
His words sent a shiver down my spine. He slowly moved his hand toward my stomach. I sensed danger—not for me, but for my child.
I grabbed his hand and stopped him.
"W-what are you doing?" I stuttered.
He froze for a moment before stopping and carrying me away. As we walked, my father and mother noticed us but decided to leave us be since Igneel looked impatient.
Soon we reached my room where he placed me on the bed. He took out a small treasure chest and opened it, revealing a flower.
He then took out a small bowl, added fruits, and melted the flower into the mixture. He stirred it together and fed it to me.
It tasted sweet—a mix of grapes, apples, and strawberries. He smiled as I ate. With each bite, I felt my energy returning and a strange power entering my body.
I looked up at him.
"What is this?"
He smiled. "It's a sun-kissed flower. It has the ability to rejuvenate and grant immortality," he replied.
My eyes widened.
"Such a treasure exists?" I said in awe.
He nodded.
"As of now, only one person is allowed to grow them in father's territory. There is a limited amount," he said.
I froze in realization.
"But such an item would be worth—"
He stopped me.
"You're worth more than anything I have," he interrupted.
I blushed at his words. Why does he keep saying such embarrassing things?
Eventually, I finished everything, and he smiled, satisfied.
"The child will be born any day now," he suddenly said.
I turned to him.
"I've been meaning to ask. Why is the pregnancy progressing so quickly?"
He seemed to contemplate for a moment before speaking.
"I might as well tell you now. Remember when I told you I was part dragon?"
I nodded.
"Well, that wasn't the full truth. In truth, I am more than that."
I gulped and waited for him to continue.
"I am a god. Though incomplete," he added.
I didn't even register the last part as his words echoed in my mind. "A god"—how is that possible?
I wanted to ask more questions, but then he kissed me on the forehead.
"Let's get some rest," he said.
He lay down next to me and hugged me.
"Wait, my parents," I tried to say.
"Don't worry, they won't bother us. And besides, I have plans for tomorrow, so get some rest," he said.
I sighed and nodded, nuzzling into his arms.
Erik's POV
I watched from afar as Tai Lung ran to the Jade Palace. I checked his talent and my eyes widened.
"Gold," I muttered.
Should I recruit him? No, not yet. Let me see if he's truly evil. Since my memory is hazy from those thousands of years in the realm, I'll have to rely on my eyes.
"For a price, I can tell you everything about him instead," Diastasi commented.
"What? I can buy information?"
"Yes, but if it were about gods, then it's a different story," she added.
"Whatever, just give me the information," I said.
Tai Lung from Kung Fu Panda is not simply evil, but rather a deeply broken character. Raised by Master Shifu with the singular goal of becoming the Dragon Warrior, Tai Lung's entire identity was tied to this title. When Master Oogway denied him the scroll, it wasn't just a rejection of his skills—it was a complete annihilation of his self-worth.
His rage and subsequent actions were a direct result of this profound betrayal. He is a tragic villain whose potential for good was corrupted by a lack of humility and the flawed ambitions of his mentor. Ultimately, Tai Lung is a product of his past, driven by a desperate need for validation from the father figure who helped shape him.
"Damn, quite a story," I muttered.
But still not evil, just broken. Seeing him about to attack Shifu on the ground, I teleported beside him and sent him flying.
I made sure not to use too much power and only used a portion of my strength. But that was more than enough.
His body slammed against the wall and fell to the ground. He struggled to get up.
I appeared next to him, but Shifu stepped in.
"Please spare him," Shifu begged.
Tai Lung lifted his head.
"I don't need your pity," he roared.
"I beg you, he is my son," Shifu said.
Tai Lung froze at the statement but then growled.
"Stop with your trickery," he growled.
I sighed.
"Tai Lung," I said.
He scowled at me.
"I understand your pain. Abandoned and then raised to be perfect. The pressure people placed on you and the expectations they forced upon you."
He paused to listen.
"You were a genius, destined for greatness. You were taught to be the best, to become the Dragon Warrior—that's what you believed you trained your whole life for."
His eyes seemed to relax as I continued speaking.
"But the moment you were denied the title of Dragon Warrior, you didn't know what to do. You were lost in that moment of need. What you needed most was support from your father. But he turned away."
Shifu looked guilty.
"Your anger was justified, but what you did was wrong. You caused destruction in the Valley of Peace and attempted to take the scroll by force. You felt with it you would be recognized—that you were the true Dragon Warrior."
I slowly took out the Dragon Scroll from my inventory. I had taken it a while ago after they started fighting, just in case.
I then threw it to him.
"Open the scroll and tell me what you see."
He grabbed it and quickly opened it. His smile faded.
"W-what is this?" he muttered.
"Nothing, right?" I said.
"It's impossible. What I've done, how much I sacrificed. For nothing," he cried in rage.
"Tai Lung, though you were taught your whole life by Shifu, there is one thing he forgot to teach you: humility. What makes a person great is not the title or what they wear, but their actions and who they are on the inside."
I paused and let him calm down.
"Look again, and tell me what you see," I said.
He shakily looked into the scroll.
"I-it's me," he stuttered.
"That's right. The validation and acceptance you've been looking for. You just had to look deeper. Now that your anger has dissipated, look into the eyes of your father."
He turned and looked straight into Shifu's eyes.
"Tell me what you see."
"It's me. No, guilt and love," he whispered.
"That's right. Shifu has always been proud of you. It hurt him when you were imprisoned—to have to fight his son. You chased perfection, wanted to be the best, to be perfect. But that was misguided. Do you know why?"
"Why?" he asked.
"Perfection doesn't exist. You look at a blank canvas with no marks. It's perfect the way it is. You keep staring and you realize the canvas lacks color and looks stale. Is it really perfect if it is lacking?"
He shook his head.
"You see, your version of perfection could be imperfection in another's eyes. So the best thing to do is not chase others' acceptance or validation. Don't chase their perfection. Chase and surpass the better version of yourself. That is the best you can do for your redemption," I finally said.
Tai Lung knelt and stayed quiet. I knew my work here was done and left. After leaving I couldn't help but smile.
"How cool was I?"
"From one to ten? A ten," Diastasi commented.
I'm pretty good at these speeches. Maybe I should do more. As I congratulated myself, I suddenly remembered I needed to get more sun-kissed flowers from Rapunzel.
I teleported to the garden that I had bought from the system.
-Star-shower garden-
This cost over a million, but it didn't matter since I had plenty saved up. I could have had more if I'd approached the genie before buying the item.
I sighed.
"Erik," I heard someone call.
I turned and smiled.
"Rapunzel," I called back.
She gave me a hug. After we separated, she took out a chest.
"These are all the flowers from this month," she said.
I opened the chest and smiled. This time there was a total of 5.
"Well, what do you want for your reward?" I asked.
She smiled.
"Well, actually I'm getting married in a few weeks and I want you to be there."
"Is that it?" I questioned.
She nodded. I smiled and ruffled her hair.
"If that's all you want, then fine," I said.
She then walked away. Flynn is marrying her, huh? He has been getting strong. He already has stats around 20. I'll make them some gifts.
As I contemplated what I should make, I felt like I was forgetting something. Eh, I'll figure it out later.
Note: I have a lot of free time today so I wrote a bunch. King fu panda still has more villains so it will be ongoing. Also Sofia the first will also be ongoing while Erik does other thing. Please name what the next one should be.