"Po, it's time" Tigress urged as she entered his quarters.
"I know" he replied as he exited his room. "How can I forget?" He wore a large hat woven out of grain, similar to the one worn by his old friend Crane. He also wore a green silk robe, matching the color of his good friend Viper's skin. And in his hand, held the staff owned by his master, Shifu, which was owned before than by the grandfather of kung fu, Master Oogway. After he retired, and not long after his passing, Shifu handed Po the staff as a symbol of his newfound status of Master over the Jade Palace. It felt like an eternity ago. Sometimes, Po laughed at himself. Holding the staff, he realized he had become just like Shifu, old and curmudgeonly. But in his old age, he mirrored Oogway in many ways as well. Years ago, he would have never thought this would be his destiny.
Before him stood Tigress, his dear wife of many years. As the years past, her once vibrant orange coat has faded to a duller brown. But despite Father Time, her kung fu skills have remained impeccable. She's perhaps the strongest she has ever been, which amazes Po every day. While Tigress continues to present herself as sturdy, Po prefers to take the Oogway approach. Now an old man, it would seem he hasn't an athletic bone in his body. But his kung fu is stronger than ever. And that's exactly the façade he's going for. Many a thug had underestimated Oogway's tenacity, even in his elderly years. Now, Po can say the same thing.
"Look at yourself, old man" Tigress teased. "Did you ever think you would turn into Oogway?"
"Heck, I never thought I would turn into Shifu, much less Oogway. I never thought people would be looking to me for guidance, seeking out my wisdom."
"Yeah, it's pretty hard to believe."
'And now, I get to witness the founding of the new Furious Five. Years ago, it was just a dream that I would be among the ranks. Now look at me."
"You've come a long way from that noodle eating slob I met in that arena."
"Well, you've come a long way from that personality deprived tree stump I met in that arena."
Po and Tigress walked into the Hall of Warriors, a memorial for the many masters who have worked in the palace in years passed. Po looked upon the many paintings of himself, Shifu, and the Furious Five. Next to them was the painting of Master Oogway, the same one that graced the hall when Po first visited. And next to it, was the memorial statue of Master Mantis, who had recently passed of old age.
"I miss him" Po said as he gazed on the statue.
"I do to" Tigress responded. She didn't want to say it, but she was surprised he lasted that long. Mantises don't have long life spans, and his training was probably what kept him alive and fit into his last days.
"What are you old timers doing" said a familiar voice from behind.
Po and Tigress looked and saw a few familiar faces. It was their old friends Masters Monkey, Crane, and Viper.
"Great, you've made it!" Po said excitedly.
"What, do you think we'd miss this?" replied Monkey.
"Where's Peng?" asked Tigress.
"You mean Master Leopard?" said Peng as he jumped in front of her from out of nowhere, making intimidating poses.
"Dramatic entrance" pondered Po. "I like it."
"Learned from the best" Peng responded. Peng, relative of the villainous Tai Lung, had a difficult relationship with Po for a lot of his life. But as he grew up and realized that Po's actions toward his uncle were justified, he eventually grew out of his contempt. After several years of formal training at the Jade Palace, he eventually became an exemplary master, severing in the Valley of Peace and beyond.
"It's good to see the old gang" said Po.
"Shifu would be proud" Crane said.
"So would Mantis" said Monkey.
"And Oogway" said Viper.
"So, are they ready?" asked Tigress.
"They are just outside" answered Peng. "In the training hall."
"Let's go then" Po announced. "No need to keep them waiting."
The group walked into the outside arena of the training hall. Po remembered all the great, painful, and embarrassing times he had in this place. But mostly great. In front of him stood five students, all chosen by hand from a member of the old Furious Five. These weren't their replacements, these were their successors. The new Furious Five.
"Students" Po began. "The team you know as the Furious Five was first started by the great Master Oogway, as a way to protect this valley from outside evil. Now, with your help, we wish to continue this tradition, and make sure this beautiful land remains protected, and that it will have heroes people can look up to for generations to come. My colleagues seem to be impressed by your skill, but now it's time to impress me. Which you'll probably do easily, since you've made it this far. Please introduce yourselves."
When Po finished, the five students walked closer to him, preparing to present themselves to the old master. After a moment, they began to speak.
"I am Lioness, picked and trained by the great Master Tigress."
"I am Wolf, picked and trained by the great Master Leopard."
"I am Eagle, picked and trained by the great Master Crane."
"I am Tanuki, picked and trained by the great Master Viper."
"And I am Rat, picked by the late Master Mantis, and trained further by the great Master Monkey."