Kung Fu Panda: A Much Needed Break
Chapter 1: Good News
The time of summer is to enjoy the beautiful weather with friends and family, wonder the landscape, relax, or attempt random shenanigans for humor. Not for China's heroes and Kung Fu masters, the Dragon Warrior, Po and the Furious Five, Master Tigress, Monkey, Crane, Viper, and Mantis. Everyday is another day of training to prepare for the worst case scenario from a bandit raid to some psycho trying to conquer the world. The heroes' master, Grandmaster Shifu, watched and trained his students with pride and joy. After considering the time of year, and the fact that the latest threat to the Valley of Peace is nothing but a few bandits and thieves, he decided to let his students take a much needed day-off.
Po collapsed on the ground after beating, and being beaten by the one and only strongest training dummy in China, the Adversary. Summer has come with a bad temper as the whole training hall screamed with fire. Beads upon beads of sweat poured down the Dragon Warrior as he gasped for air.
"It's so hot!" Po complained.
He was not the only one. The Furious Five as well find this heat rather unpleasant. Even with their many years of training, the blazing heat forced them to take more breaks than usual.
"I have to agree with Po, curse you Sun!" Mantis yelled toward the ceiling.
"You know, it would be nice Master Shifu could give us a day off for once." Viper said. The reptile used her tail to wipe a drop of sweat from her head, which questions that how she can sweat if she's a reptile.
"I couldn't agree with you there Viper." Crane moaned as he tried to fan himself with his hat.
"What about you Tigress? Should we ask Master Shifu for a day off?" Monkey asked.
"I've trained for so long under rough conditions, I don't see how you guys are complaining from this wonderful weather." Tigress responded. Indeed, the master of the Tiger Style didn't look like she was breaking a sweat in the appalling heat, but Po is not the one easily convinced.
"Did you change your shirt?" Po asked.
Tigress was rather disturbed by the question and responded: "No."
Po didn't buy the response as he closely examine Tigress's shirt. He notice the design was slightly different, which hit Po.
"Ah ha! You changed your shirt during training!" Po yelled with confidence.
"So?" Tigress retorted, unaware that she added more suspicion to the group around her.
"You claim that you didn't break a sweat, then why did you change your shirt?" Po sneered.
"Because…I felt like changing." Tigress responded, her voice sounded slightly nervous.
"You're right Po, look at this!"
Monkey pointed beyond one of the training course's obstacles. Behind the wall, a large pile of sweaty training shirts stood there, all belonging to Tigress.
"Care to explain?" Po asked, obviously feeling victory.
"Fine! I'm dying in this heat, happy!" Tigress yelled.
"There's no need to yell, we're all tired too Tigress." Viper said.
Tigress cooled down a bit, and then smiled to her fellow comrades. "Thanks Viper. And sorry for yelling at you Po." Tigress said softly.
"Hey, what are friends for?" Po smiled. Everyone followed suite with a smile, until the doors burst open, with a red panda coming from them. The students wiped every trace of joy from their faces and faced their master with respect.
"Master Shifu!" Po and the Five responded and bowed.
"At ease my students, I have some news for everyone."
"Is it good or bad?" Po asked. Shifu chuckled as placed his hands behind his back.
"Either or Po, but moving on. I can clearly see and hear all of your complaining about this heat we're experiencing today."
"Forgive us Master, we will not let it happen again." Tigress said and bowed.
"Easy Tigress. I'm saying that you all should take the rest of the day off."
The last few words echoed into the warriors' ears. A day off.
"A-are you serious Master!" Po asked.
"I'm dead serious Po. Unless you want me to change my mind. Now get out of my palace and have fun." Shifu teased.
Po bowed and sprinted out of the Jade Palace, screaming with joy and happiness.
"That includes you five as well." Shifu demanding the Five to follow Po.
The students bowed and ran after the happy Panda, also yelling cries of joy. Shifu shook his head and smiled as he made his way to a quiet place to meditate.
"YEAH! FREEDOM!" Po shouted into the sky. He made his way down to the tournament grounds and began fist pumping. The Dragon Warrior continued his rant of joy until the Furious Five found him dancing like a fool.
"Po." Tigress cuts in Po's moment.
The panda ceased his dance and met with his fellow comrades, eager to actually hang out with his idols.
"So what should we do?" Po asking his friends, barely trying to contain his joy. The Five looked at each other and smiled nervously.
"Honestly, I don't know what we should do. Its been ages since we got a day off." Crane replied.
Po looked at them, almost shocked. "Seriously? You guys need a life." Po snickered.
The Five couldn't help it but laughed with the panda.
"Well, I guess we could go down to the village and see what it can offer." Tigress suggested.
"Or we can read this." Monkey said, a brown scroll in his hand.
"Where did you get that?" Mantis asked.
"I found it near Po. Someone must have been in a hurry to give to you Po." Monkey handed Po the scroll.
At first Po thought it was one of his admirers, until he saw a stamp on the scroll, a very familiar seal to be more exact. Po uncurled the scroll and read it aloud to his friends as he skimmed the print.
"Hey guys, your friendly wolf is back! I heard from Shifu that you six are taking a day off. Don't even bother to think about how Shifu informed me about this. If you want to spend a relaxing day off, you can spend it with me at the Moon Lily Lake. Don't be surprised, this place is my secret getaway heaven when I'm not traveling or training, also a secret to everyone in the valley. If you're interested, pack your bags and head off to the mark spot on the map I attached to this message. Another thing to add, don't mention the location to anybody, that includes YOU THREE: Po, Monkey and Mantis! Signed, Yun-Seong the Wolf."
"Well I be! Are buddy Yun is back!" Po said, pleased to hear that his old time friend has returned from his travels. Everyone was eager and also slightly confused that Yun invited to a trip like this, especially when Shifu allowed the to take a day off that was told merely a couple seconds ago.
"I like that idea, who's in for this trip?" Tigress asked. Everyone, including herself rose their hand, paw, tail, or pincer to the question.
"I guess that settles it. Lets pack up and head out in ten minutes." Everyone nodded and went off to pack their belongings for the trip.
After the ten minutes have elapsed, Po and the Five met at the top of the steps in front of the Palace gates.
"Is everyone ready?" Po asked toward his comrades. They nodded in unison and readied their bags.
"Then, away to Moon Lily Lake!" Po proclaimed, map in hand.
The Five felt slightly nervous for Po navigating their way to Yun's location, but he's the Dragon Warrior after all, they have their faith in him, but for how long?
A/N: You like, you review. Trying a more pleasant kind of story after writing something dark like Shadow of Woe. Its only the first chapter, the next will be more juicy.