Tian Cai
By mkusenagi2
The
story concept © 5-19-2006
All Marvel characters are ©
Marvel Comics.
Kim Possible and other Disney characters
are ©
Disney Co.
Level 1: Quan ji shou (Boxer)
Part I
1-27-2001
Middleton,
Colorado
The Possible residence
Living Room
0900 hrs
"Kimmie-cub, Ron's here with a guest!" cried Dr. James Timothy Possible as he stood below the trapdoor that led to his daughters' bedroom.
"Coming, Dad!" said an 11 year old Kim Possible.
The sounds of an energetic 11 year old girl were heard as she bounded down the steps and flipped into her parents' living room.
"Hey Ron, hey Rufus," said Kim to her best friend Ron Stoppable and his naked mole rat Rufus.
"Hey KP, my Uncle Nick and a bud of his crashed at our house last night," said Ron, "He had to rush out this morning but his bud wanted to meet ya!"
"Oh yeah KP, Unc' asked us to give you this," Ron said as Rufus gave Kim a manila envelope.
Dear Kim,
Ronnie told me that you'd like to learn some kung fu so I asked a pal of mine to stop by to talk you and your folks about taking some lessons while he sets up his herbalist's apothecary in Middleton.
It's the least I could do for a person that has been as nice to Ron as you have.
Your Pal,
Nicholas J. Fury
PS: I'm sorry we haven't met yet but I've got a heavy work schedule at the security company that I run.
"Who's your… friend… Oh my gosh… It's You…" cried Kim. She turned beetroot as her eyes took in a tall, quiet, and slender Asian man dressed in a black T-shirt, chinos, and black silk slippers that was talking to her parents.
"Hello Ms. Possible," said Shang Chi, "It's an honor to meet you," he said as he faced her and bowed to her in greeting.
"It… it… It's an honor to meet you sir… I've… read every article that you've ever written on kung fu in 'Inter-Asian Boxing' magazine!" said a blushing Kim Possible.
"Your parents tell me that you're a straight A student, you and Ron have been best friends since you were 4, and that you like to help people." said Shang Chi.
"Uhh… Yeah…"
"Such qualities are to be respected in one so young; they are some of the standards by which a warrior is to be judged."
"Thank you sir." said Kim as she turned scarlet.
"I've talked to Ron and your parents and would like to ask a favor of you…"
"Yes sir?"
"Would you allow me to have the honor of teaching you what little kung fu I know?"
Kim glanced over Shang's shoulders at her Mom and Dad to see what their reaction would be. She saw her Mom give her a wink and her Dad give a thumbs up behind him.
"Yes Sifu, I… would be honored to be your student…" said Kim as she bowed to her new teacher.
"Thank you Ms. Possible, I will 'prepare' in the backyard while you talk to your parents. Please join me in 10 minutes.
After Shang went into the Possible's back yard Kim turned to Ron, grabbed him in a bear hug and kissed him on the cheek.
"Ron, you TOTALLY rock," cried Kim, "Mom, Dad thank you SO very much for saying YES!"
"It's nothin' KP," said Ron as he rubbed his cheek, "I just thought y'know, since Unc' knows a lot of folks, he could ask around and see who'd like to do it."
"You're welcome dear," Anne Possible said to her daughter, "just make sure to learn everything you can. I'm planning to take some herbal classes from him myself."
"I think it's great for you to learn some kung fu from him Kimmie-cub," said James Possible, "since he's an old friend of your Nana's!"
"Kimmie you'd better hurry, you don't want to be late for your first class." said Anne.
"Come on Ron, let's go," Kim cried as she grabbed him by the arm and bolted out the back door.
---
3 years later…
It was a beautiful summer day in Middleton Park. On this day a freshman Kim Possible resumed her Kung fu training with Shang Chi, while her best friend Ron Stoppable watched. Rufus looked on while sitting in lotus position.
"Today you will show me your understanding in the ways of the Kung Fu I that have taught you, Miss Kim," said her instructor Shang Chi.
"We will begin with Wudang Tai Chi starting with One Chi of Void and ending with Returning to Cosmos at Wudang," said Shang Chi, "do not panic for this is a quiz."
"Begin."
"While Ms. Possible shows me what she has learned Ron, I will give you a puzzle to solve."
"Ok, Coolio," said Ron, "Uhhh what is it?"
"What is a best friend?"
"Dude that's a riddle?"
"Yes, it is."
While Ron pondered this, Kim smirked while practicing her form.
"OOOOOOMMMMMM." went Rufus.
"…"
"Dude, a best friend is that person that has seen you at your worst and is there to help you recover from your defeat." said Ron.
"Very good."
'Huh, Ron got it!' thought Kim.
"Kim, you're losing focus, breathe and center!"
"OOOOOOMMMMMM." went Rufus again.
"Here's another Ron, what is a holy warrior?"
"…"
"The holiest of us are sometimes the most simple of us."
At this point Rufus floated an inch above the ground.
"Very good. Kim you're losing focus again!"
"Sorry Sifu…" said Kim as she practiced. 'How is he doing this, Ron's usually focused on video games, Bueno Nacho, or goofing with Rufus not spouting wisdom!'
"You're doing much better Kim, now show me what you remember from Wing Chun," said Shang.
At this point Rufus started to rotate as he levitated.
"Ron here's another question for you 'Which warrior is strongest, the one that has no compassion while he vanquishes the foe, or the one that has compassion at all times?'"
"…"
"…"
"Always have compassion for your enemies, for the warrior that has none carries the greater burden; all of those they've ever been in conflict with." said Ron.
"!" thought Kim as she finished her set.
"Excellent! Ron one day you'll become a great warrior."
"I don't know about that… I mean Kim does all of the freak fighting I'm just a distraction…" Ron said quietly.
As Ron and Shang spoke to each other Rufus gently settled to the ground and scampered up Ron to sit on his shoulder.
"Ron being a warrior isn't just about learning kung fu, it's about doing your best so you can help your brothers and sisters."
"Uh huh," chirped Rufus, "so true!"
"Coolio!" Ron exclaimed. "Hey, you don't know Rabbi Katz do you 'cause he says stuff like this to me all the time!" Ron said with a thoughtful frown.
"Kim we will now spar freestyle, Begin!" A whirlwind of kicks and punches erupted between teacher and student; both were moving so quickly that only a skilled eye could see the techniques.
As Kim and Shang Chi sparred freestyle, Shang said to Ron, "I have met your Rabbi Ron, but we just talk about other things."
"Oh…" said Ron.
"He gives me counsel."
At that moment Kim lost her balance while performing a flying tornado kick and was caught gently by Shang Chi.
'What would HE need counseling for, Shang Chi is the most together guy I know!' thought Kim.
"We are finished now Kim, you have passed your test, just work on keeping your center during your practice. I will see the two of you later."
"TEST!" they chorused, "WHAT TEST?"
"Uh Oh," said Rufus.
"The test you both have passed. I gave you your kung fu test Kim, and you passed. You have mastered the physical techniques and are well on your way to advancing your spirit, therefore you have the rank of Sifu or 'skilled person.'"
At this point Kim became a little angry, "Why didn't you tell me!"
"If I told you that you were going to take your test today you wouldn't have done as well as you have!" said Shang to Kim.
"Ron never give in to hate or despair, you have a pure heart, the rarest of all gifts. I sense someday you'll do something great when we all need it most!"
"Coolio KP, you got your… uhh since we're talking about Chinese martial arts what do you give a person that graduates?" asked Ron.
"That is a good question and here is your answer, Kim I give to you my Black Sash; would you honor me by wearing it?" Shang Chi said as he unwound the embroidered silk sash he wore around his waist.
"Ohh I… I… couldn't," said Kim as she turned beetroot.
"Please take it, you have earned it."
With wonder in her eyes Kim humbly took the sash from Shang Chi and looked at it. It depicted a male and female warrior in stylized Chinese armor standing back to back on a battlefield with the male warrior facing a blue demon and the female warrior facing a green demon. There was an inscription woven into the sash below the scene.
"It's beautiful," she whispered, "I will treasure it always."
"Pretty," chirped Rufus.
"Dude what's it say?" asked Ron.
"It's an ancient prophecy that says 'When the world is in its direst hour the most humble of us shall become the greatest of us by helping his friend and will receive the greatest treasure: True Love'."
"Wow," Kim, Ron and Rufus chorused.
"I will see you tomorrow at the same time for an extended session, there are some things I must attend to at my shop." said Shang Chi as he bowed to them and left.
End Part 1