A/N: Thank's for deciding to read my story. I must warn you that Po and and original character's come in much later, but please continue reading. I plan on doing a sequel and will have them play a much larger role in that. Leave any encouragement, comments, criticisms in the reviews. Also, please excuse any grammatical or odd sentence structures, this is a work in progress and your cooperation and tolerance is greatly appreciated.
Enjoy
The mountains that surrounded the city were always covered in snow. Though, at the base, in the valley itself, there was always green vegetation. Two rivers ran from down the mountains and met to form one river at the end of the valley and continue on. The season was spring as the sun sank, letting itself hide behind the tips of the mountains. The snow glistened and the river began to take the beautiful red and orange glow of the sun as it reflected the light. The trees began to take a darker shade of green as the light left them. The valley began to sound of birds as they started their evening songs and the honk of geese as they flew to Mengyou City.
Mengyou City was an architectural feat. From the top view, it was split in two by the Yi River. It was almost a complete circle with about an eighth missing from the top where the river split into two; the Yiliang and the Yisan. The two sides were united with wide bridges that spanned the river and reached the other side.
Mengyou City was the only city in the valley. It stood as a quiet sentinel protecting the valley from the foreigners that would dare threaten its inhabitants. Though it was a city that was prepared to fight, the warriors and citizens still took up the responsibility to make it beautiful. The buildings were always kept up and the walkways were in the best condition they could, with all the traffic going through it. Its crown jewel was the Mengyou Palace.
The Palace was at the edge of the city were the river still was one. It had three walkways that made its way across the river. These were a favorite among the Palace workers as it was made of sturdy oak for the floor, yet around it was glass. You could see the water rushing beneath you and then down to split into two. On the left side of the Palace was the Watch Tower – the tallest building in the City. It looked over the City and the entire valley. Its view was the most awe inspiring in the entire City. The walls around the Palace were elegant and not foreboding. The doorways were tall and welcoming, painted a soft, light red color. Trees and water features complemented the open courtyards as it led to the entrance of Palace. The front was tall, with pillars reaching to the overhang. The pillars had jade dragons climbing up it, reaching for the heavens. The front of the Palace was large, but the right side of the Palace was the living quarters and the bulk of the castle.
The entire Mengyou City was a marvel to look at. It was rich in color and culture. Mengyou was a safe haven, safely governed by Kun Zhu and Sun Nushi, leader of the City and of the Shandian Clan of Tigers. Yet, deep in the true bowels of the city, there was still darkness. Pubs and taverns littered the streets. Crime still lived and thrived. Fight clubs were some of the most popular as young warriors tried to prove their new kung fu skills to the worst of the city. They were soon drinking and gambling. The young were then sucked into the dark pit of the city simply known as Yexing – or Untamable. It was contained as much inside the City as possible, the cities troops' mostly keeping watch on the area, as the outside was peaceful.
The valley and Mengyou City were among the best places in China to live, nothing seemed to happen. The only location in which it was better to live in was the valley in which peace was its name: the Valley of Peace.
The beauty of his home meant nothing to him as he was flung against the wall. He bit his lip, fighting the urge to cry out. He picked himself up and looked for an escape route. He saw none. The rhino was on him again. He felt the feeling of floating and realized he had been thrown in the air. He braced for the impact of the cold, hard cobblestone. It never came. Instead a flying kick from the rhino hit him in the chest and he hit the wall again. He lay on the ground not picking himself up, hoping that by staying down, he would show that he surrendered. The rhino laughed.
"I know that trick, you coward! C'mon, fight me, tiger! Or are you truly a scaredy cat?"
The insult stung him. He had no answer. His anger began to build. The rhino walked over to him and knelt down beside him and whispered loudly into his ear, so everyone could here him.
"You are a softy, aren't you Tai? You are just a good student and a softy. You couldn't keep the city safe; you wouldn't know what to do in a fight. You don't deserve the throne next, Mishi!"
He used his middle name. Tai only wanted his parents and those who he truly trusted in to call him that. It meant lost. And that is exactly what he felt sometimes, thus his parents had given it to him lovingly. He balled his paws into fists and swung at the rhino's head, something he rarely did.
"Don't call me that!" Tai growled, letting his anger flow into the punch.
The punch never connected. The rhino deflected the punch with ease using his left arm. The right arm delivered three swift blows to Tai's face and then he kicked him right below the collarbone. Tai fell to the floor gasping for air. The rhino didn't stop. He hammered Tai's side and head. The pain was too great for Tai and he curled up into a ball. Pleaded quietly to his ancestors for the cruel treatment to stop. To his relief, the rhino stopped. Tai was still in too much pain to move. Bruises covered his body. His head pounded. He thought in his mind how glad he was for the beatings to have stopped. Then, he felt a wet spot on the top of his head. Then, near his foot. His arm. They were spitting on him. An ox knelt down beside him and began petting him. The group of bullies laughed. Tai curled up even tighter, not letting tears flow from his eyes. He had gone through this for most of his life. Why had he even thought that he could escape this in college? Someone scaly stepped on his tail – a crocodile. Finally, the ox lifted him up and threw him down, kicking him once more for good measure.
"That's enough, Chun. Let's get outta here before someone finds His Royal Weakness here," said the rhino, motioning toward Tai.
The ox grunted and followed the rhino along with the rest of the gang.
"So, where we going Curo?" asked Chun.
"I was thinkin' we go to my place for some grub," replied Curo. "It'll be our little celebration."
The bullies cheered and left.
As the sound of the tormentors talk and laughter faded, Tai lay on the ground. He lifted his lips in a soundless snarl, a small rebellion. He took a deep breath. His side screamed in agony at the simple motion. He groaned in pain. Shaking his head to clear it, he put his front paws on the ground and tried to get up. He lifted himself half-way before collapsing back onto the pavement in the alley – the effort proving too much for him.
Tai opened his eyes. He felt a bit better. The pain had dulled and he could breathe with little pain now. Sitting up, he steadied himself then got up on two legs and walked out of the alley. Tai got into the correct, upright posture for royalty. He felt foolish. One of his legs ached as he walked forward, giving him a limp. Lanterns were starting to be lit, chasing away the darkness. He could see clearly now. He looked up at the sky and marveled at the beauty nature could have, even when the life-giving sun was down. The patterns the clouds formed and the way the stars lit them from behind, giving the clouds dark silhouettes and a true silver lining. He found the bright stars comforting. Almost as if his ancestors were smiling at him from the distant Heavens. He bowed his head in respect for the stars. He looked back up and it seemed as if the stars dimmed then brightened again, like they were returning his gesture. Tai felt his heart warm. He always had felt better after looking up at the stars and the moon, though the moon was not here tonight. They gave him courage. How they did that, he did not know.
Tai turned his attention back to the road and looked at the signs that began to appear from shop to shop. His attention was drawn to a bright green one with gold lettering. Here was where he wanted to go. He knocked on the door. A bustle was heard inside the store and the door opened.
An older crane stood in the doorway, a broom in one of his wings and a straw hat in another. The crane's eyes lit up as he noticed Tai.
"Hello Tai!" said the crane, bowing low. "What is the honor of royalty visiting my humble shop?"
Tai laughed. This was an on going thing with him and the crane. When Tai first had troubles with bullies, he came here. First it had been just taunts and jeers throughout the years, but when the students had finished their studies, they had been allowed to learn kung fu. Everyone was excited, even Tai. The Masters began to instruct the pupils in the ways of harmony and of yin and yang - of kung fu. Throughout the months, the strong and skilled became apparent. Yet even those who were weaker, they still were able to hold their own. Tai was an exception. Though he was of the strongest breed, he was weak. He preferred staying indoors and working on his studies and enjoyed playing the game of chess. Tai still tried kung fu, yet was only able to pass the simplest tests. He had a very low tolerance for pain and wasn't in the best physical shape. The Masters tried everything, as this was Kun Zhu's son - Lord of the City! - and they wanted to show him their skills at teaching. Nothing even blossomed from Tai, no show of promise. No one was able to teach him. He was clumsy and couldn't go through the movement, let alone fight. His focus was outstanding, though. The Masters could do nothing but teach Tai of the mental side of kung fu. He excelled, but he still could not defend himself. His mind was quick and clever, but not in the arts of defense and attack.
When the strong became truly aware of their abilities, they all had different reactions. Most kept their honor and used it for good. Some looked as if they were using it for good, yet were using it for their own advantage too. Bullies then rose. They formed a group and picked on the most weak. Their favorite: Tai. The leader was the rhino named Curo. His family had been trying to get at the Mengyou City throne for awhile and he had hatred for Tai. Thus, the beatings began. Tai couldn't do anything about it, the rhino's were a strong clan in the City, backed up by many of the smaller denominations, and though Tai's father was the ruler, and he could do nothing if the Council dismissed it. That is exactly what they had done. They had ruled that if the young tiger could not defend himself, then he should learn to. They wanted a ruler who fought with power and would protect them when the old lord died. They did not see that in Tai. Thus, Tai was left to his own devices, despite his father's numerous attempts to help him. Finally after a number of one-sided fights, he walked a different way home. Along the way, he collapsed. The older crane had been heading to his show, saw the young tiger, and had pity on him. The crane brought him in and nursed his wounds and administered to him. When Tai had awaken, the crane uttered the same words he always had since used when he greeted Tai at his shop: "What is the honor of royalty visiting my humble shop?"
Tai laughed again as the old crane swept his hat up and put it on his head in a very flamboyant fashion.
"Just to say hello to an old friend," said Tai.
"Well, are you saying I'm old or that I have been your friend for awhile?" asked the crane.
Tai rolled his eyes and staggered in. The crane grabbed a chair and let the beat up tiger sit in it. The crane moved to the back of his shop and started a fire. He put water in a kettle and put it over the fire. Flapping back over to Tai he settled down in another chair and sat back.
"So, another run in with Curo?" asked the crane.
"Yes," said Tai, he clenched his paws slightly. "And my father still can't do anything about it. The Council is a double-edged sword; useful at times, yet still deadly to the wielder. What do you think I should do Jingli? I am a college student now. No longer an adolescence, yet here I am, acting so much younger than I really am. I am weak, Jingli. Past the age of an adult and yet I am so weak." Tai looked away, his thoughts running through his mind like a whirlwind. "I am old yet so young."
Jingli said nothing. He leaned forward and lifted up Tai's head. Tai looked deep into the crane's eyes. Jingli's own gaze pierced directly into Tai's. It dug deep into the tiger's consciousness and seemed to weave Tai back together. Jingli spoke,
"What did they do this time? You have never come to me like this before. You didn't call yourself weak; you just came here beat up." Jingli chucked at his grim humor.
Tai looked away.
"They spit on me. They pet me."
Jingli's eyes grew wider. The kind crane got up as the kettle began to whistle. Tai looked up at the sound of the bird's wings. He looked at the cozy shop again.
A row of shelves were off to his left. Drinks, food, weapons, books, toys, and even flowers filled the shelves. To his right was the long bar table that Jingli had converted to his check-out counter. He sat in the back of the shop, next to the back wall. A table was there and two chairs. Jingli originally had them there for him and his wife, until she died. Now, it was for Tai.
The crane came back with the kettle, tea cups, and some rags. He poured the boiling water into the two cups and dipped the tea bags into it. He handed one of the cups to Tai and sat down with a cup for himself. Jingli rested one of his wings on Tai's back and patted him fondly.
"I know words won't help as much as actions. What can I do against a group of young warriors? Just remember this – your ancestors are watching you. They will help. You might not see it now, but they will help you. Take your studies to even greater heights. Do you think that this city was built by mindless kung fu warriors? Absolutely not! Scholars and engineers designed this. Without the clever minded and the geniuses, we would not have what we have today. Try learning more on what you already know so much about. Do feats with your mind that the strongest members of kung fu can only dream of. Solve the most complex equations in your head while others are still scribbling on paper. Find your gift."
Tai smiled. He leaned forward and shook Jingli's wing vigorously.
"Your words are worth more than a thousand actions. Comfort, encouragement, and wisdom are enough to give hope to a lost soul," Tai said. The crane was incredible.
Jingli shook his paw back. Tai let go. Jingli stood up,
"And your company is the honor of a thousand lifetimes, Tai. You are one of the few who I still enjoy having conversation with. I wish you luck on whatever lies before you."
Tai bowed low to Jingli and walked out the door to the Palace.
The Guards let Tai in immediately. As soon as he was in the doors he was embraced by his mother - slightly embarrassing him in front of the Guards. She let go and began to run her eyes up and down him. Her eyes filled with compassion and softness.
"Oh, how I wish I could do something about those who hurt you. Can you at least try to fight back?"
"I will not," said Tai. "That will just be worse for me. Don't worry, mother, I am fine."
"It isn't fine. You are grown – fully! As much as I hate to say it, you do need to learn to help yourself."
His mother shook her head in disgust at the rules of the Council and beckoned for him to follow.
"Your father wants to give you something. I don't know what it is exactly, but he says it is important." Sun stopped and turned. "First, let's clean you up."
Sun clapped her paws together and two goats came up to Tai.
"Clean him up, give him a fresh set of clothes, and then let him go to Lord Kun," Sun said. The goats nodded and led him to his chambers.
The goats completed Sun's requests in a manner of time only they could have done. They rushed Tai to his bedroom and turned on the hot water. They stripped him of his clothes and helped him into the tub. Having someone bathe him was an unnecessary luxury, but he took it anyways. It let him relax from the day. The two goats scrubbed him clean and did what they could for his bruises, though there was little as Jingli was very adept at healing. The servants took him out of the tub and got him dressed in white, baggy pants, a gold color silk tunic, and a black belt. With his fur still a bit damp and cold, the warm clothes felt good. He was directed politely out of his room and toward his father's study. Tai walked to Kun's room slowly. When he reached the doors, he knocked on them.
"Come in," his father's voice said.
Tai walked in to see his father at his desk with books around him.
Kun Zhu was a middle-aged tiger with his fur color beginning to fade. He wore glasses when reading, but didn't need them for anything else. He was, contrary to his calm appearance, a fierce warrior. A Master at kung fu, he was not one to mess with. He wore a robe of cotton, forgoing the silk as he said it wasn't warm enough. The robe was silver and green with Chinese characters sewn into it. He held in his hand a scroll and had been reading it intently before Tai came in. His features were slightly chiseled unlike Tai's own more smoother facial features (those came from his mother).
"You wanted to see me?" asked Tai.
His father nodded and beckoned him to come. He looked Tai over. Though the wounds were well covered, Kun was still able to see where he hurt.
"Curo and his gang?"
Tai nodded, the memories flooding back to him.
Kun growled as he ran his paw over his son's fur, feeling the bumps and Tai's body twitch as he touched still sensitive spots.
Why should Tai's position as son of the Lord of Mengyou City affect him? Kun asked himself. It isn't right.
"I have thought this through. I think you should try archery. I know you don't like violence and it is a little bit late in your life for you to get really good, but if you stayed at the Training Hall, Curo wouldn't dare. Also, you can add math to it. I know you like arithmetic. Solve problems while you are doing it. Use the mind of yours. I can sense you will be the next architect for Mengyou City, not to mention lord as well." Kun turned back to his studies, but looked up quickly. "Oh, I have something else for you."
Kun turned and pulled out a piece wood. It was a library pass! No one younger than a full, four year graduate of the University had been allowed in it, as the knowledge was considered too high for the young – young being anything below twenty-five, some argued thirty – and they didn't want it destroyed on accident too.
"The Council did agree on one thing," said Kun.
"Finally," muttered Tai.
"What was that?"
"Nothing."
Kun raised an eyebrow yet didn't continue on the subject.
"They said they would allow you in the library only because of you academic promise, nothing else. I tried to get it earlier but they didn't allow it. Today I was able to convince them, so, I would like to give this to you."
With a great flourished he flipped the card over and showed the library pass. The front was smooth cherry wood with the flourishing calligraphy pinyin on it for: Knowledge. A glob of hot wax was on edge of the right side of the card.
"What's that for?" asked Tai.
"That, Mishi, is for you to put your mark, so that way the Keeper knows that it is truly your card. Just take you first three claws touch the wax and move down slowly."
Tai did just that and Kun handed it to him.
"See, you just made history! The first ever animal younger than that 'foolish' age of twenty-five to get a library pass! Now, you can retire to your room. I am in need of a meeting…..again."
"Thank you father," said Tai bowing.
Kun bowed back and went to back to his desk as Tai joyfully left the building. His future seemed a bit brighter.
A/N: Alright, so I know its not the most enticing beginning to a story. I don't include the original Kung Fu Panda characters or anything, but please continue. Don't be part of the 90% that drops the story. I promise you it gets better. If it doesn't - in your mind - feel free to tell me. Or if you have any pointers that you'd like to give me to make an intro more interesting tell me.
Anyways, thanks for reading the first chapter. Enjoy the rest or enjoy whatever story you read next.
