Chapter Two: Shadow's Past
First Word
Little Shadow was watching her Daddy cook. Her big storm gray eyes watched the noodles as they were put in the pot. Just then Shadow's mouth opened and she began to move it. "No-Noodle," Shadow said. Po dropped his spoon and turned around and saw Shadow in her high chair staring at him smiling.
"Did you say something sweetie?" Po asked. He could have sworn he heard her say something but wasn't sure.
"Noodle," Shadow said pointing at Po's pot. Po was amazed and smiled a really big smile. "Tigress, get in here!" he called. Within moments Tigress was running on all fours with a worried look.
"What is wrong Po? Is Shadow okay?" Tigress asked as she looked at her baby.
"She is fine honey just listen. Shadow what is in Daddy's pot?" Po asked her.
"Noodle," Shadow said smiling. Tigress's eyes widened as she scooped up Shadow now wearing a big smile like Po.
"She talked, our baby talked," Tigress cried. "Can you say mama sweetie?" Tigress asked.
"Mama," Shadow said putting at Tigress.
"She called me mama oh she is talking," Tigress said getting even more excited.
"Say Daddy sweetie," Po told her.
"Daddy," Shadow said smiling at Po. The proud parents stared down at their baby for little Shadow was talking.
First Steps
Po and Tigress were sparring while Monkey and Crane were going through the obstacle course. Viper and Mantis were meditating and Shifu was watching a two year old Shadow. She was playing with a little toy bunny and it slid out of her paws. She crawled but her tail swished it away. Shifu looked away for a second getting the scrolls in order. The toy was making Shadow annoyed and crawling would only make the toy move farther from her. Then something remarkable happened, little Shadow stood on two wobbly legs and began to move them. Using her arms as balance and she moved closer to her toy, not noticing that Shifu silently alerted her parents and they watched with delighted eyes that she had taken her first steps.
A New Friend
"Help me!" shouted Mantis as he ran for his life. A black blur was chasing him as storm gray eyes locked on her prey. With a quick pounce the creature had Mantis in her paws.
"Shadow what are you doing honey?" Tigress asked as she heard Mantis shouting and came to see what all the commotion was about.
"Nothing Mommy I was just playing," Shadow said innocently. Yet, Tigress saw her daughter's paws moving and heard a muffling noise.
"Shadow let your Uncle Mantis go,' Tigress said firmly. Shadow did as she was told and the tiny bug glared at the young panther.
"Sorry Uncle Mantis I just wanted to play," Shadow said with a sad face. Mantis's anger vanished and a smile came to his face.
"I know sweetie but maybe you could play with someone your own age. I have to go train but maybe I will teach you some Kung Fu Moves later," Mantis said.
"Okay Uncle Mantis," Shadow said with a smile.
"Alright honey now go and play but be back before it gets dark," Tigress said firmly with a smile.
"Yes mam," Shadow said and ran off outside into the meadow. Shadow was climbing tress and running through the grass when she came across some pig and goat boys.
"Hey what is your name?" asked a goat boy with yellow eyes.
"My name is Shadow," she said proudly.
"Shadow, what kind of stupid name is that?" asked the goat boy. The other kids began to laugh.
"My name is not stupid!" Shadow yelled fighting tears.
"Oh did I hurt the wittle baby's feelings?" asked the goat boy.
"Shut up!" Shadow yelled.
"Make us freak," the goat boy said getting in Shadow's face. Now Shadow had been taught to defend herself but wondered if she should use that against the bullies. They all surrounded her and Shadow prepared for a fight. Just then a pair of odd looking marbles fell next to the bullies and smoke of red, pink and orange surrounded them. Soon a flock of white birds swarmed around them as they pecked the bullies' heads making them run away. "This isn't over freak!" shouted the goat boy as he and his gang ran away.
Shadow wondered who saved her when a gentle voice called out to her. "You okay?" a voice asked. Stepping out of the shadows was a wolf boy about Shadow's age maybe a year older. His fur was black as night like hers but had small streaks of gray along his sides and his eyes were ocean blue. His clothes were a simple deep blue tunic and he wore a small bag around his back.
"I am fine thanks," Shadow said smiling at the boy wolf.
"You are welcome, sorry about Rick and his goons pay them no mind they are just a bunch of punks," he told her. "By the way my name is Dreamer. What is yours?" Dreamer asked her.
"That is a cool name and my name is Shadow," she told him.
"Pretty name so did you like my magic show?" he asked her.
"That was you? Wow that was incredible," Shadow exclaimed.
"Well thank you Shadow, my dream is to be a magician," Dreamer said flashing her a toothy grin. "Normally people think my magic is stupid except for my mom," he said sadly.
"Well I think it is cool. Could you show me more?" Shadow asked. Dreamer was shocked by this but was happy to show her more.
"I only know a few tricks hope that is okay," he told her and Shadow assured him it was fine. Shadow spent the rest of the afternoon seeing Dreamer's magic tricks and out of that chance meeting they became friends.
Author's Note: Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and please review. Sorry if it is short but if anyone has any ideas for chapter three let me know. All I know is that Shadow learns she will be a big sister so hopefully that helps.
