WOW! What a mixed response from so many of you. Most of you thought the story started off with a bang, but there were a few who were a bit...upset with me as well. And understandable, I mean...Tigress died in the first chapter...But that does not mean she is gone...in fact she is far from it. for those of you who were upset with the first chapter, I feel you will be much more satisfied with this one. and No I'm not catering to the wants of others, this is always how the story was intended to progress. Hope you guys Enjoy The Read

Chapter 2

Birth of a warrior

25 years earlier from Li's time that is...

It was a calm fall morning as the sun slowly crept over the mountains and made Its presence known to the Valley of Peace, once again. The Morning Gong had just sounded and the village was ready to begin another day. High up on the mountaintop overlooking the Village, The Jade Palace stood proudly watching over the inhabitants of the Village. But this day was not just another day. for when the Gong sounded, The Masters of Kung Fu did not exit their sleeping chambers to greet a Master who was not standing in the Hall waiting for his students. No, the Barracks were empty this morning, as was the Training Hall, and the Hall of Heroes.

Just behind the Jade Palace concealed by a small forest was a house. A modest, 2 story house with a Jade shingled roof, and red stone walls, resembling that of a smaller Jade Palace. This was the Home of the Dragon Warrior and his wife, Master Tigress. And it was here that the Masters of the Jade Palace had taken residence for the past several hours. For last night, the time had finally come. The time Po and Tigress had been preparing for, for months. The time the Masters of the Palace, including Shifu have been ever so anxiously awaiting. The Time, when Tigress finally went into labor.

It had happened in the middle of the night, when Tigress started having the labor pains, and Po wasted no time alerting the Masters, while Tigress's nursemaid, a young goat named Shi, stayed with her and helped keep her comfortable. The minute Po sent Zeng to fetch his dad, he had returned to Tigress's side in their room where he has remained for the past five hours, while the Masters along with Nightshade, waited anxiously down stairs below in the couples sitting room.

Viper, Crane and Mantis were sitting on one of the large couches while Monkey leaned up against the far wall, and Nightshade stood staring out the window. Mr. Ping was pacing the floor anxiously while Master Shifu sat in Po's Chair, his hands placed firmly on top of his cane's handle as he tried to keep himself from shaking uncontrollably. A task that was far from easy. This was it. Today Tigress and Po's child would be born and he would become a grandfather. After doing such a poor job being a father to Tigress for so many years, he found the idea of him becoming a grandparent an unwise one. He had failed Tai Lung in the end, and he had only come to terms with Tigress recently. He wasn't sure if he could be a good grandfather to this child. But Po felt differently.

A month ago…

Shifu had asked Po to meet with him in the Hall of Heroes for a moment. when Shifu proposed to Po about being the Child's eventual Master and nothing more, Po just frowned at his Master and Father in-law while saying, "Shifu…forgive me but that's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard coming from you." to say Shifu was stunned would be an understatement. Never had Po been so upfront with Shifu and hardly EVER did he not refer to him as Master. Po then continued, "Shifu, You're Tigress's father, my father in-law. There is no way my child is going to grow up not knowing BOTH of their grandparents, that's just crazy!" Shifu then started, "I understand what you are saying Po but…I just don't think I can manage to be the Grandfather you think I can. I've failed twice at being a father, both to Tigress, and to Tai Lung…I don't wish to fail a third innocent Child."

Po then stepped forward and knelt down closer to Shifu placing a heavy paw on the Old Master's shoulder and looking him in the eye. Po then said in a caring tone, "Hey, I'm afraid of messing up too. I mean come on, every time I picture myself being a dad…I worry." Shifu looked up at Po and saw him frowning. A face that did not suite the panda one bit. But Po went on saying, "It's just…I worry whether or not I can really be a great dad to this kid. Whether I can be what they need…and still be…me." Po then looked down on Shifu with a new smile and said, "But then I think about it some more and I realize that I'm not alone in this."

Shifu looked up with slight confusion in his eyes while Po went on, "I'll have Tigress with me every step of the way. My dad down in the Valley to teach me what it is to be a great dad. My friend's support…and one of my greatest role models of all time teaching me how to be a proper Master to my kid." Shifu blinked in surprise when Po punched his shoulder playfully, explaining "You Shifu!" Shifu couldn't help but smile as stepped forward and nodded his head. Po then finished with, "So cheer up. You're going to make an awesome grandpa. You said to me once that there is a time and place for everything. Well you can learn the times to be a grandfather, and a Master. We can help each other along the way, right?" Shifu nodded before looking back up saying, "You are right Panda…perhaps there is hope for me yet. Thank you for your reassurance. It means a great deal to me…Son." Po blinked a bit before growing a large smile and scooping Shifu up in a hug and saying, "No problem…Dad."

Back in the house…

As Shifu finished the memory, a loud roar was heard throughout the entire house, "GET THIS THING OUT OF ME! GYAAAAAHHHH IT HURTS!" Shifu felt a shiver run down his spine as he could just barely make out Po saying words of comfort to his wife up stairs. Mantis however was the first to speak, "Just what the heck are they doing to her up there!? It sounds like torture!" Viper then scoffed while saying, "It's child birth Mantis! It's not exactly a picnic, of course it's painful! There isn't any training for this kind of thing!" Monkey then said as he looked up the stairs from the wall by the entryway into the sitting room, "Yeah…but it's still terrifying to listen to Tigress scream like that." Crane then added, "I've never heard her in so much pain before…it's so not Tigress." Nightshade merely remained quiet. The fact Po had requested him to be here was a blessing in itself, but he had still to earn the trust of the Palace Masters, especially Master Viper's, and he wasn't about to say something they might find offensive in their sleep deprived state.

Mr. Ping remained silent as well; as he continued pacing, casting glances up at the stairs every time he neared the entryway by Monkey. Finally, they all heard Tigress shout, "OH GODS! GYAAAAH!?" Po could be heard saying, "You're doing great Tigress…you're doing great. Just a little bit longer." Shifu finally heard a doctors voice saying, "It's time. Grab the water!" Shifu's breath caught short as he thought to himself, "This is it…it's time. Everything, is about to change."

Upstairs in Tigress and Po's Bedroom…

Tigress was still roaring in pain, as she held onto her husband's hand while she leaned forward. Po was beside her for the past five hours consoling her as best he could. She had nearly broken his hand three times now, but he didn't care. She needed him right now, and he wasn't going anywhere. the Doctor looked up from in front of Tigress and said, "It's time. Grab the water!" the nursemaid rushed to the back of the room to grab the bucket of warm water while the goat before Tigress looked at Po and said, "Get behind her and help sit her up more!" Po did exactly as he was told, positioning himself directly behind Tigress, his shoulder brushing just past her Dragon's Heart Necklace that hung on the headboard to their bed. He felt it might be a good idea to keep it away from Tigress during the labor, after all, you could never be too careful.

After Po positioned his legs around Tigress he helped scoot his wife up so that she was sitting up more against him while taking both of her paws in his own and whispering words like, "We're almost there…you're doing great kitten…just a little more…I love you so much." And so on. Finally the Doctor was ready as he looked up at Tigress and said, "Alright Master Tigress, when I say push, I need you to push down as hard as you can. Understand?" Tigress then snapped at the goat saying, "Just get on with it!" and the Doctor nodded while positioning himself. "On three…one…two…three, PUSH!" Tigress hunched forward and pushed, her face contorted in so much pain. She had never gone through such agonizing pain before in her life! "Hrghn!" Tigress breathed out for about 10 seconds before leaning back up against Po who was continuing to whisper encouraging words into her ears. Telling her every 3 seconds that he loved her so much.

The Doctor looked up at her and said, "Good Master, now again, just like that first one!" Tigress scrunched forward and pushed again, this time releasing a loud cry "GAAAHHH!?" The Doctor then announced, "Almost there Master, just one more push, I can see the child." Po gripped Tigress's paws with his own and said softly, "You are so amazing kitten. We're so close…you can do this, I believe in you. Come on Tigress." that was all the encouragement she needed. As Tigress, sat forward again, she pushed for a solid 15 seconds, pushing the child out all the way as she screamed "OH GODS! IT'S GOT YOUR BIG HEAD PANDA!" But Po could only chuckle as he continued supporting his wife. And then it came…the sound that they had been waiting for months to hear…a baby crying. "WHAA WHAAA AAAHH WAAAH...*sniffle*"

Both Tigress and Po were both breathing fast. Even though Tigress was the one who went through the birth, Po was breathing out of pure nervousness. After months of planning, months of preparing and months of waiting…it was finally here. Their child was here. Po and Tigress watched as the Doctor and the nursemaid cleaned the child up, Po trying to crane his neck to the side to get a view but was unable to see anything. Yet he refused to leave Tigress's side. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the doctor finally finished cleaning up the child and was giving it a quick once over making sure it was healthy and well, the Doctor quickly wrapped the still crying child up in a blanket and began to turn around and face the eager parents. "Congratulations Masters…you have a been blessed with a Son."

Both Po and Tigress gasped as the Doctor walked over towards them with the small bundle. They had a son. It was official, Po and Tigress were parents… Parents who had a baby boy. As the goat handed the bundle carefully into Tigress's outstretched arms, Tigress pulled the baby in close to her chest and gazed upon the face of her newborn son. And all she could do was smile. Po looked over her shoulder and gasped quietly as he gazed upon his child, a single tear of pure happiness falling from his eye as he kissed Tigress on the cheek and looked at the cub. There, lying in his wife's arms was a perfectly healthy black and white striped Panger cub. As Po looked at his son, he could see so much of his mother in him, except for around the eyes. The cub had two black panda patches and as Po reached over and stroked his son's cheek, the cub opened his eyes and Po could only smile.

Tigress looked up at her husband and whispered, "He's got your eyes. While Po only held his wife close and said, yeah, but he's got his mothers good looks. You were amazing Kitten." Tigress purred softly as she leaned up against her husband holding their child close, while Po wrapped them both up in his protective arms. The Doctor then turned to the Nursemaid and said, "Let us give them some time." and with that the two left the bedroom to head down stairs. Leaving the new family alone for the first time.

As the two goats neared the bottom of the stairs and entered the sitting room, everyone straightened up while Mr. Ping marched over and asked, "How is it!? Is everything alright? Is something wrong!?" but Nightshade merely placed a hand on the goose's shoulder while the Doctor held up his hand's saying, "Everything went just fine. The child was born without any problems, it was just an unusually long labor." Everyone sighed in relief as Viper asked, "So? Is it a boy? Or a girl? Can we go and see?" but the Doctor merely shook his head no saying, "I feel it would be best for the family to spend their first moments together alone. The Dragon Warrior will surely come and fetch you when they are ready. In the meantime, I urge you to give the Masters this time with their child…it is moments like these that we treasure all of our lives." And with that, the Doctor left the room and headed over to the kitchen to prepare a list of instructions for the new parents to follow, just in case.

Everyone was relieved to hear the baby was alright. Monkey then started, "So what do you think it is?" Mantis said, "I bet the kids a boy!" while Viper added, "Well I'd like it to be a girl, there's far too many boys running around the palace if you ask me." Mr. Ping then said, "I couldn't care less what it is, as long as I get to see my Grandchild soon I'll be happy." Shifu then surprised everyone by finishing, "As long as the child is healthy…that is all that matters to me." Shifu was also curious as to what the child would be. Due to the baby's crying, Shifu was unable to hear the doctor say what the child was. Everyone smiled and nodded their heads in agreement, as they went back to waiting. Although less nervous this time, they were all still incredibly excited to see the newborn.

Back upstairs…

Po and Tigress hadn't moved from their spots as Po continued holding his family in his arms. He suddenly felt the presence of a familiar entitiy watching the child through his eyes as the deep and powerful voice of the Great Golden Dragon that resided within Po's soul spoke out for the first time that day. "He is the spitting image of his mother…yet you can easily see his father in him as well. He is a beautiful Child my friend. Well done. I am happy for you." Po smiled as the thought, "Thanks Gladir…He's just so perfect…so…" but it was Gladir who finished for the Panda, "Awesome…I believe is the word you use, is it not?" Po chuckled quietly and thought "Yeah…he's totally awesome." Gladir then took his attention from his friend and returned his gaze upon the infant an observed it.

Something was puzzling the great Dragon ever since he learned of the Child's conception. A theory of sorts. Was this child capable…of possessing great power one day? Granted, as of yet, throughout Tigress's pregnancy he had never sensed such evidence pointing towards that conclusion, and as far as he could sense, the baby did not possess any power he may have inherited from his Parents…but that could mean nothing. If the child did perhaps possess a similar strength of that of the Heroes Chi or the Heroines Flame, then the child had the potential to one day wield incredible power. But that was of course, IF the child possessed such a thing, and as Gladir observed, the boy as of yet did not possess such power. Yet he would watch the child Grow and keep an ever observant eye on the boy's development. If the child DID possess any power, it is possible that it merely was lying dormant, waiting for the right day to be awakened…But there was plenty of time to worry about this later, for now Gladir would let his friend have his time with his family, and so he retreated back within the depths of the Panda's soul.

Tigress finally looked up at her husband and asked quietly, "What do you think we should name him?" Po looked at her briefly and then back at his child. As he looked at his son's face that was now sleeping up against his mother, Po thought of a few names. Tigress then shifted around and presented Po with the bundle saying, "Here…a father should get to hold his son before the others come up." Po smiled as he took the bundle in his large arms and looked down at the cub. As the cub looked up at the Panda's face Po smiled and whispered, "Hey little guy…I'm your daddy…I've been waiting a long time to meet you." and as if the child understood, the cub smiled and nuzzled up against his father's protective arms. Po could only smile at the child as a name finally came to mine. "Li" Po whispered as he looked at Tigress who smiled and said, "Simple and easy to remember…like his Father's." Po smiled as the two rubbed their noses together and watched as their son shifted in Po's arms. Li was clearly content lying where he was.

Po then handed his son back to Tigress and said, "I should probably go and tell everyone the news." Tigress nodded and went back to admiring her son while Po quietly exited the room. Everyone was waiting in the room when they heard the sound of some familiar heavy footsteps climbing down the steps. As Po rounded the corner he was met with the anxious faces of his friends, his Master, and his Dad who all were on the edge of their seats. Po looked over to his Dad who was standing near where Master Shifu sat and asked them, "Dad…Shifu…Would you guys like to meet your grandson?"

Everyone gasped in surprise as Mr. Ping asked, "I have a grandson!? Oh Happy day!" as Mr. Ping jumped up in the air while Shifu smiled and muttered, "A Grandson…I'm a Grandfather…hmm…" Viper then said, "Congratulations Po. While the guys and Nightshade muttered similar words of congratulations, as Po lead his two fathers up the steps and into his room.

Once Po entered, he saw Tigress still sitting exactly where he left her still holding his son. As Po let the two older men into the room, Po walked over and stood beside Tigress. "Father." Tigress greeted as Shifu and Mr. Ping approached the bedside opposite of Po. As the two gazed down at the sleeping Panger Mr. Ping was beginning to tear up as he said, "He's perfect! Such a perfect child." Po chuckled as he said, "Thanks Dad. Do you want to hold him?" Mr. Ping nodded as Tigress carefully handed Mr. Ping Little Li. Mr. Ping couldn't stop fussing over the cub, as Po and Tigress watched the old goose play with the boy's nose, causing the baby to sneeze. Mr. Ping then started to hand the baby off to Shifu who looked a little reluctant at first. "Go on Shifu…hold your Grandson." Shifu looked at Po who had spoken to him and saw the Panda nodding his head encouragingly. Shifu then looked at Tigress who had also nodded her head in approval.

As Shifu took the bundle in his arms, he looked down upon the face of his Grandchild. He could easily see Tigress within the boy, yet there was no denying he had his Father's face and eyes. He was perfect. "My grandson…" Shifu whispered as if he couldn't believe the words were real. He was being given a third chance here and this time, he was determined not to blow it. Shifu then looked up at the two proud parents and asked, "Does he have a name?" Po nodded as he said "Yeah, his name is Li…Li Ping." Shifu smiled as Mr. Ping nodded while saying, "A fine name my son, a fine name indeed." Shifu then said, "Yes, no doubt young Li will make a fine warrior someday." Mr. Ping then turned to say, "Or a Noodle Chef! After all, Broth runs through his veins just as much as Kung Fu!" then Tigress intervened, "Or he could be both, like his father." While Po finished, "He can be whatever he wants to be. As long as he's happy…then I'm Happy too." Shifu nodded as he walked over and handed Po the cub saying, "Well said Po."

Suddenly the door opened and the others poked their heads in as Viper asked, "I'm sorry. But we just couldn't wait anymore. Can we see him? PLEASE!" Po and Tigress chuckled as Po said, "Sure everyone. Come on in and meet our son." And so they did. Viper was the first to reach the baby as she slithered up around Po's shoulders to get a good look at the child, "Oh he's so cute! I could just eat him up!" Crane then leaned over and said, "Definitely Tigress and Po right there." Monkey then said, "I wonder who he's going to take after more, Po or Tigress?" Mantis then quipped as he hopped on Po's shoulder, "Betcha anything he eats like his Old man. Way to go Po, you too Tigress." Nightshade however merely stood off to the side as he watched the Masters smother the child. He looked over at Po and gave him an approving nod, which Po returned.

Tigress smiled at the group as they all took turns holding Li. Everything was so perfect. Nothing could ruin this day. Their child was born, and so was their family. Po and Tigress's lives were forever going to be changed and Tigress hoped it would be for the better. But there was one fear Tigress wasn't quite able to shake. A fear that she had only ever confided in her husband about once they found out she was with child. Although Li was going to have a strong supportive family that would love him no matter what. Tigress could not shake the belief that although up here on the Mountain he would be accepted completely…how would the Villagers take to him? He was part Tiger, and part Panda. As far as Tigress knew, the only of his kind. Her greatest fear was that her son would be treated exactly like she had been treated as a child. As a Monster. Or at the least, the way his father had been treated and just shunned by the villagers. It was a fear that Tigress could not shake no matter how hard she tried.

Suddenly Tigress felt Po sitting down beside her in the bed, as she looked over and saw Mr. Ping now holding Li while Shifu and the others crowded around him making baby noises at him. She looked up at Po and noticed he had worry in his eyes. Chances are he knew what she was thinking about. he had gotten really good at reading her throughout her pregnancy, thank the gods. "Tigress…Don't worry. Everything is going to be fine." Tigress rested her head on his shoulder as she whispered, "I hope you're right Po. For Li's sake…I hope you're right."

And that is chapter 2. What do you think? Li has been born, but Tigress has her concerns about the Vilagers reaction to him. We shall see. Remember...

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