Chapter 2 - The Jade Palace

It was a thing of beauty, this magnificent Chinese palace, glimmering in the morning sun. Po squinted and hummed his favourite song as he reached the steps. He smirked at the thought of taking them, and leapt up the mountain. He flipped over rocks and landed gracefully on ledges, no longer scrambling as he climbed to the summit. Master Shifu bowed and welcomed him, beaming and nodding frantically.

"Yes, yes, Warrior Po. Come inside, please do, we need your help." He greeted, opening the door to the Jade Palace, basking in all of its splendour.

The roof was like a strangely beautiful tsunami, with only colours that went with the jade tiling. Each layer was pointed at the corners like four people lifting up a blanket by the edges.

As Po entered, he once again was reminded that the inside was as wonderful as the outside. It wasn't regal, it wasn't marvellous, it wasn't gorgeous. But it was astonishing. Anyone would have agreed that it was tranquil and wonderful; the favourite place of many, including Po. Zeng ushered Po into a small tearoom that, oddly, he had never seen before. Why would it be hidden? Slumping into a slightly dusty brown armchair, his thoughts were interrupted by Master Shifu.

"We have called you here today, Po, to discuss the panda species' issue." said Shifu sadly.

"What panda species' issue? Pandas are a wonderful species, we have no problems." Po was puzzled. He took the hot mint tea given to him by Zeng gratefully.

"Po, you don't know?" asked Shifu, taken aback, but Po still looked confused. "We need to address this. But it's not like we do not care about other species. We will help them afterwards. But Po, you should know. Pandas are endangered." There was a loud gasp and the room fell silent.