What's up guys! OriginalStory here, or I used to be called that three years ago till I disappeared. Well I'm back with a new name and awesome news!
With everyone on the internet waiting more than four years for an update to this story I had to be the bold one to take the risk. With almost three years of inactivity from the original author and no news of any updates in sight something had to be done. We all know what and who I am talking about: Emmykirk14 and her wonderful story: 'I Now Pronounce You Crane and Viper'.
If you were not fortunate enough to read the original story here on fanfiction when it was posted years ago before taken down I will make sure to include a link to the author's original content on Deviantart, which can be found here: gallery/35003655/I-Now-Pronounce-You-Crane-and-Viper
I am by no means attempting to steal her work, instead I wish to continue the story in the direction in which I believe Emmykirk14 had left us. If the author returns and wishes to reclaim her story and continue it herself she is more than welcome to do so, as I have no problem taking down this post or any post if you all don't enjoy my continuation. I reemphasize that the original content created by Emmykirk14 is still her own and in no way do I own it or even wish to take that from her.
Also Emmykirk never really gave any indication as to when in the KFP story arch, this story takes place. For that reason I intend to place it a few weeks after the defeat of Shen in KFP 2.
Without further ado, I present to you my 'Resurrection Project: I Now Pronounce You Crane and Viper'
Disclaimer: I do not own Kung Fu Panda, its characters or design, nor the original 7 chapters of this story. All rights, content, and ideas are reserved to their respected parties.
Master Shifu sat perched atop the staff passed down to him by his deceased Master. After calling an abrupt end to training earlier that morning due to the absence of certain students, the Grandmaster had taken the opportunity to spend the rest of the day meditating. With the passing of his Master and the defeat of Tai Lung, Shifu had found the inner peace he had long sought. Moments after the Dragon Warrior had informed him of his adoptive son's defeat Shifu found peace within himself. However, in order to harness the power of inner peace, Shifu still had to meditate to unlock its secrets. As a result he now spent most of his free days meditating by the Pool of Sacred Tears.
The air was crisp on this particular day, and the pool lay undisturbed before Shifu. This serenity is perfect, thought the Grandmaster. Shifu began his meditation by envisioning the positives and negatives in his life, allowing his world to achieve balance, to achieve peace. The Dragon Warrior had defeated two great opponents, a positive. Monkey continued to complain about his mysteriously disappearing almond cookies, annoying Shifu, clearly a negative. Tigress was still on the path of good and had begun to discover the beauty of emotions, a positive that also brought him joy. Po had managed to destroy half of the Training Hall when trying to recreate the battle between him and Shen, a negative. Shifu inhaled deeply and allowed himself to enter a trance-like state.
"Inner piece," mumbled Shifu. "Inner peace."
Flap, flap, flap.
"Inner piece"
Flap, flap, flap.
Shifu's ears twitched in annoyance.
Suddenly there was a loud crash, as if a feathery mass had unintelligibly flew into a rocky outcrop. The commotion continued as the same mass fell onto the hard grotto floor behind him and let out a distinctive "Honk".
"Ah, Zeng. I'm glad you have finally returned," Shifu stated without interrupting his meditation.
"Master Shifu! I-I'm sorry, I never meant to interrupt your meditation," the goose fumbled to find words. "I'll simply return to the palace and wai-"
"No. That's fine, I assumed the message made it?" The Grandmaster inquired.
"Yes master, Masters Croc and Ox as well as the city of Gongmen send their thanks," the bird reported. "Though they did mention that a certain Dragon Warrior did manage to do considerable damage to expensive, historically important parts of the city, namely the Peacock Palace."
Shifu let out a brief chuckle, "As I recall, Shen was the one who destroyed the Palace with his cannons. And that a majority of the damage around the city was also caused in a similar fashion. Still, I trust the Masters have found someone to fill Master Rhino's spot on the Council?"
"Yes they are debating the last few possible options as we speak" informed Zeng. "They are currently deciding between three candidates: Master Bear, Master Lion, and-"
Zeng paused for a brief moment and Shifu could sense the goose's hesitation.
"And?" Shifu inquired in his calm monotone voice. After what seemed like a rather long wait the goose managed to finish his report.
"-and Master Tigress."
"WHAT?!" Shifu blurted out, losing his concentration. The Grandmaster's surprise almost threw him from his precarious perch. Zeng jumped at the Master's quick change in mood.
"They explicitly stated that-"
"Gongmen is at the very least a four day trip over treacherous terrain!" Shfiu hopped down from Oogway's staff and began to pace the grotto. "If she were to accept such a position she would be forced to leave the Five!"
"Master Shifu-"
"I cannot allow Tigress to be taken away from us, she is needed here! Although even being considered for such a high position is a huge honor and I have never been more proud of one of my students-"
"Master-"
"-except for Po's ability to master the most difficult Kung Fu techniques and defeat evil-"
"Ma-"
"-I cannot allow them to take my daughter away!" Shifu finished his rant pointing his staff at Zeng's beak. Shifu's mood began to shift back to normal when he looked at Zeng, sadness filling his eyes. "I have already lost one child, I'm not sure I can handle losing another."
Shifu rubbed his hands up and down his staff in a gentle fashion as if he hopped to find some of the previous master's wisdom upon it. Zeng padded over to the crest fallen Master and placed an understanding wing on Shifu's shoulder.
"Master Shifu, you are not the only one to have watched Tigress grow up for these past twenty-some years," Zeng calmly stated. "She is no longer a child but a full grown, beautiful woman who is capable of choosing her own path. I know you haven't always shown her your softer side but you must let her know, as a parent as well as a master, that this decision is hers."
"Yes Zeng, you are right," the Master replied.
"If it makes you feel better though Master Shifu," Zeng began as he turned to start walking away. "The Masters said that if she accepts she will only need to be present in times of crisis."
Shifu look back to the goose as if looking for further explanation. Zeng took notice of the Master's confusion.
"Meaning Tigress could still stay here at the Palace and remain a member of the Furious Five. She would only be needed in Gongmen if another Shen appeared from the blue."
Zeng saw Shifu relax completely at the news and a smile cross the older Master's face. Zeng smiled in acknowledgement, satisfied by the Grandmaster's reaction. As the bird turned to leave he felt a light pull on his left wing and turned around to find Shifu the culprit.
"Before you go I have a request," Shifu asked in a hurried voice. "I feel that my students are hiding something from me. A few days ago Masters Crane and Viper left to her village to visit one of her pregnant sisters."
Zeng turned to listen to the Master's story.
"However, I have known Great Master Viper for years and I know Viper is the oldest of her sisters. The notion that one of her younger sisters, who aren't even of marrying age, is pregnant is simply preposterous."
"Then why would they-"
"I'm not sure Zeng," the Master replied with a little worry in his voice. "I let it slide because if Viper is having issues at home she must deal them otherwise her focus would not be solely dedicated to kung fu. In our line of work lack of focus can be dangerous."
"What would you have me do?"
"Fly to the village and see what you can find. Crane and Viper are not the sort of individuals to go on a several days journey without explaining their reasoning behind the journey. They have been gone for a few days too many for me not to worry."
"Of course Master Shifu."
"Not a word to the others, I don't want them knowing of your mission."
"Yes Master Shifu", and with that Zeng flew off into the midday sun. Shifu watched as the bird disappeared over the horizon. The he looked at the staff in his hands briefly before speaking aloud:
"What are they hiding from us Master?"
OOOOOOO
Crane stalked slowly behind Jia, watching the young snake happily slither her way down the narrow streets of her village. Master Crane's escort began to merrily ramble on about the various shops and activities they could engage in. He tried to pay attention but his mind had other ideas, as he began to wonder about his friend.
It wasn't like Viper to leave him or any of the Five to talk to estranged friends from her past, thought the bird of prey. She must have her reasons though.
"Crane?" a small voice interrupted his thoughts. He looked down to see a concerned Jia eyeing him with confusion and worry. "We're here."
"Ah, yes. Sorry Jia I was just thinking." The two entered the small restaurant and found a table near the back. The setting was familiar to Crane but he couldn't place a feather on it. A small hare came to their table and asked what the pair would like to order.
"I'll have the tofu stir fry," Jia said in a pleasant voice.
"The steamed fish and vegetables please," Crane said with a smile. As their waiter wondered off Crane began to think about Viper once more and stared at the wall across the room. The in the few short days he had spent with Viper they had really gotten closer, it also helped pretending to be her husband as he had the fortune of being introduced to her family. Seeing Viper in her home village brought back memories of when the Five were younger at the Palace. Viper was the youngest of them all and when they first met Crane had noticed her bouncy and sweet personality. As the years went by Viper matured and the easily excited and energetic Viper was replaced with a calm and patient one. The only thing that hadn't changed was her compassion for others. But now, getting to see Viper around her family and friends brought Crane a sense of nostalgia.
"Crane. Crane?" a muffled voice came from beside him. "Crane!"
The avian snapped back to reality. "What is it Jia?"
"Are you okay? You've been zoning out on me ever since we left the house."
"Me? I'm fine, everything's great!"
"Are you sure?"
"Positive," the avian replied earning a doubtful look from Viper's sister. In truth though things could be far from great. They had been gone too long and he had been too distracted by all that's been going on to write back to the others. Not to mention this was an incredibly elaborate and risky, non-Shifu approved, mission. The mission! Crane had almost forgot that he wasn't here on vacation, no he was here to prevent Viper from getting married then return home before Shifu grew weary and came after them. They couldn't sit around for three weeks and let the plan that Viper had concocted unfold, time wasn't a luxury they had. Besides there was no guarantee that Great Master Viper would even believe them, let alone it was only a matter of time before Master Shifu found out about everything. He needed to find Viper fast and before-
"Here's your lunch you two and, ah! Master Crane! What a pleasant surprise!" came a familiar voice.
Crane looked up to see Mr. Cheng arms full with tables' worth of food stacked atop one another.
"Mr. Cheng! How are you sir?" Crane aske politely finally recognizing where he was.
"I'm fine my boy, how are you and that girl working out?"
"Well not good at the moment but we're-"
"Hold on," interrupted Jia with a pout. "You've already met Mr. Cheng? And here I thought I was taking you somewhere you haven't been before."
Crane smiled at the young viper, he had forgotten that she and her sisters were asleep the night he and Viper had fought. Looking down at the young snake he now realized how similar Viper and Jia were. Although years apart both had similar personalities and voices. Crane also acknowledged how smart the pair were and that like her elder sister Jia would most likely blossom into a beautiful woman. Beautiful, did he really think of Viper in that way? Crane still got a strange feeling when he paired Viper and beautiful together, it was something he definitely needed to discuss with his fellow Master before they headed home.
"Yes, I've met Mr. Cheng before. We met the night you and your sisters fell asleep on my back after dinner," the avian stated plainly.
"By the way are you still worried about getting married to that girl, Master Crane?" Mr. Cheng asked innocently.
Crane froze and looked down to see a confused snake look at him questionably.
"Mr. Cheng? What do you mean by getting married?" The little viper asked casting a glance towards Crane.
"Oh your friend mentioned the other night that he was scared to marry a girl from here, so I asked him-"
"But he IS married, to my sister Viper," Jia flashed an accusing look towards Crane.
"Ah so the wedding already happened! Congratulations Master Crane!" the goose said with a smile. He plopped down the two plates in front of the pair before smiling and saying, "Today lunch is on me."
Jia never took her gaze off of Crane. "You two aren't renewing your vows for another couple of weeks," her tongue flicked dangerously out of her mouth. Crane tried his best to hold his own.
"He may have misinterpreted what I have told him."
"He said 'getting married'," Jia said with a hiss. "It's very hard to misinterpret that."
"Renewing your vows and getting married are two different things Crane," the viper said in a flat voice. "Besides he said you were nervous, I've never heard of someone being nervous to renew their vows. There's something you aren't telling me."
Crane had to admit, Jia was as clever as her sister. It was obvious she had started to put two and two together. As he saw it he only had two options: let Jia in on his and Viper's secret or further their already complicated web of lies.
"Are you cheating on my sister?" Jia's voice began to rise. Crane noticed the young snake had wrapped the end of her tail around his leg. Her white fags began to reveal themselves from her small mouth. Crane knew that Viper and her father weren't as lethal as the rest of her clan seeing as Viper had no fangs and her father had lost his to combat years ago. But that didn't mean the rest of her family wasn't venomous and willing to strike.
"No Jia!" Crane blurted out. "I would never cheat on your sister!" He surprised himself with how calm he sounded given his current circumstances.
"Then what? What is your hiding from me?"
"Nothing!"
"I live with two sisters Crane, you think I can't tell when someone is lying?"
"No, but-"
"But what?!" Jia said flashing her venomous fangs.
Crane sighed, "I guess I have no choice, you should know about the truth."
Crane words calmed the snake, she let go of his legs, "The truth about what?"
"The truth about Viper and I."
Wow two thousand + words in one chapter! I wanted to give you all my best and try to do Emmykirk justice in my writing. Again we've all waited a long time for this story to finally continue so that's why I decided to continue it for her. Again if she ever returns and wants control of the story again I will be glad to hand her the reigns. Until that happens though I hope you all enjoy my take on the story and the direction I am taking it. It has been a while since I've posted anything and it feels great to be back in the grind. If you have any other resurrection projects or requests please feel free to ask. I probably won't check my inbox often but comment section is a great way to make sure I see your opinion. Also please, share your reviews. We can only grow as writers with help from others. Again hope you all enjoy and if the reviews and demand is there I will gladly continue the story all the way to the end.
Also some of you are wondering about my other works….probably. I haven't read them in a while and lost the original documents. If you want I can go over the 50,000+ words, find where I left off and continue them. That would only be for you guys though. Please let me know in the comments if you want them salvaged or something else started from scratch.
Cheers!