Kung Fu Panda and all its content belongs to Dreamworks. References and other mentioned names, products, brands and all other licenses belong to their respective owners. I only own my OC's. This story is purely written for entertainment and hobby purposes. English is not my native language.
Thank you for giving this read a chance, and I hope you'll enjoy reading this.
Summary : A human accidentally gets stuck in a different world during a trekking trip, filled with anthropomorphic animals. Set on finding his way back home, Alexander Jenssen must survive in a world that seems vacant of humanity. But is that truly the case? Set between KFP and KFP2.
Kung Fu Panda : A Whole New World.
Chapter 4 : Of wolves and Men.
Feng stood before the pile of rubble that used to be a house thinking about the strange events. Was his daughter's savior really alive and well? Did he not need to feel guilty? Or was it false hope and was he really lying underneath all those remnants, digested by the fire? He stood there for an hour, while the evening fell. Under a nice breeze in the pleasant summer's night he walked home. He did not notice a strange figure following him carefully.
Feng saw his house, standing alone, surrounded by his large workshop and the forest on the other side. A small trail lead towards it. Inside was a warm, inviting light. He couldn't help but smile knowing his daughter and his wife were in there, waiting for him. However, before he could get closer, he was hit by a small stone against his shoulder. He turned to his right, towards the darkness of the forest.
"Psst." A voice said.
"Who are you?" Feng said, trying to mask the fact that he was a bit nervous. He couldn't see anything in the dark bushes before him. His hand slid towards the knife on his belt.
"Relax, I just want to talk with you, in private. I mean you no harm." It was not a dangerous or threatening voice, just carefully kept neutral. Feng relaxed only a little.
"Well, why don't you come out of those bushes then?" he asked, slightly growling.
"I may look… different. Please don't shout or attack me because of it, okay?" The voice sounded a bit hesitant.
"I won't attack anyone unless you give me reason to. Now come out if you want to continue this, I want to see who I'm talking with!"
The bushes rustled and a tall figure stepped out of it. At least as tall as Feng, if not taller.
"Are you the father of Xia?" the figure asked. He stood a bit away and more than his cloaked posture was difficult to see.
"Yes. Why?" Feng asked with a surprised voice. Could this figure be…
"My name is Alexander or Alex. She may have mentioned me to you." With this 'Alex' stepped forward into the light and revealed his face.
Feng gasped. "You're the one that saved my daughter!" he exclaimed loudly. He looked at the face before him. This Alex was indeed unlike anyone he had ever seen. Tall and straight posture but leaner than most, bipedal, hands like a monkey, little or no fur, a bit of a flat face with a long straight nose. His dark clothes were unfamiliar to him, with tight, long pants, a shirt, some vest over it and a hood to hide his head.
"Yes, I am. And it was very close for both my and her life. How is she?"
"She is fine. Has some bruises and her fur is a little singed here and there, but she'll be up and running around in no time."
"That's good to hear." Alex sighed, seemingly relieved.
"And it's good to see you alright as well! For most of the day, I and others feared you had lost your life by selflessly saving others!" Feng said happily. "But here you are, and not even a scratch on you! You truly are a lucky guy, whatever you are to get out of that inferno without any damage!"
"Not completely unharmed. My left arm bled quite a bit…" Alex muttered.
"Of course, the blood, I had forgotten! Please follow me inside, then you can sit down and we can talk further comfortably. It's the very least I should do!" and before Alex could sputter something Feng lead him further and inside.
It was a rather nice home, Alexander remarked himself. Sturdy, warm, mostly made out of wood. With a nice, spacy common room and kitchen, a fireplace with cozy chairs and small table next to it. Some bedrooms on the first floor. A place that simple breathed 'home'.
"Feng?" a woman's voice sounded from the kitchen.
"Kara, come here and say hello!" Feng said, finally letting go of Alex who winced a bit with his arm.
Kara, a female wolf and about 8 inches shorter than Feng appeared and froze, looking at her grinning husband first and then at the strange man that stood next to him, a bit awkwardly.
"Kara, this is Alex. He is the one who saved our Xia."
She looked dumbstruck for a moment, and then broadly smiled.
"Well then, I suppose we owe you our thanks and gratitude. Please make yourself at home, would you like something to drink?"
"Maybe later, for now I'm fine, thank you". Kara nodded but looked a bit strange suddenly when she smelled something.
"Might I ask why it is that you're bleeding?"
"It's nothing major, just a cut I received earlier this morning that must have reopened when I was dragged inside" Alex answered. Feng did drag him inside on his painful arm after all.
"FENG! YOU DID WHAT!" Kara glared at her husband.
"I forgot he was bleeding, honestly, I'm sorry!" Feng responded quickly with his hands apologetic in front of him, diminishing beneath his wife's glare.
"Oh use your nose and brain a bit decent next time!" "Now please sit down dear, I'll look after it in a moment."
Alex wanted to say it wasn't necessary but a quick pleading look from Feng made him shut up.
After Kara changed the bandages and everything, everyone sat down at the table and talked a bit until they both looked at Alex for answers.
"Well, to put it simply, I'm stranded here, in this valley or place and I do not really know where I am, nor how I got here. I come from a very different place and I do not know where it lies compared to here. I've been here for almost a month now and I'm still not much closer to finding a solution to my problem of getting home. So far I've lived alone, and fortunately, I did not land here without supplies. However, my supplies are running out, mainly food will be a problem soon."
Alex sighed. "I would like your advice on what to do, because I'm a bit lost here. I don't really know what course of action to take, as I'm not familiar with your laws, culture and everything else. I don't know how long I will be stuck in this place. And so far, every time I tried to get into contact with the village it ended negatively".
Both wolves just tried to take it in for the next minutes.
"Well, I don't really know how we can help you. Food won't be a problem, we'd happily help with that. Besides, we owe you that and much more."
"I've told you that you don't owe me anything, since my people do not have the concept of a life-debt. I went in there of my own choice. I'd be grateful for any help or advice you are willing to give, but I do not want to burden you, nor become too dependent on you." Alex returned.
"Well, about your mysteries, I'd say you best go to the jade palace and try to speak with Grandmaster Shifu. He certainly wants to see you and to find answers about 'Xia's savior' as well."
"I feared you would say that. However, won't they see me as a threat, simply because I look different? And I can defend myself from ignorant villagers or the average bandits who think so, but not against trained Kung Fu masters! And now that we're on the subject, who was the tiger that was present early this morning?"
"That was Master Tigress."
"As I feared…"
"What did you do?" Feng asked with a grin slowly forming.
"I may or may not have insulted her when she was slowing me down. Her glare of death indicated that she did look forward to rip me to shreds. Which was one of the reasons I fled the scene when I did."
"Ha! Can't blame you for fleeing from that." Feng laughed his barking laugh.
"How about this : in return for food or an option to supplies I'll work for you? I have a bit of experience with both metal and wood. And I could learn in the meantime and decide what to do further." Alex asked.
"Oh no Alex, you really don't have to work in return for food, really, we'd gladly help you!" Kara said with a laugh.
"I know, but I'd feel bad if I wouldn't do anything in return. Besides, I could learn more, it would give me something to do and I'd have company instead of sitting alone, without having to confront other mistrusting people."
"Well, one of my assistants left a few months ago so I could use a bit help. How about two or three days a week for half pay then?" Feng asked. "I could also help you train with several weapons if you'd like", his eyes directing towards the small sword Alex had carried. "I'm no Kung Fu Master, but even the five agree I'm pretty good at using what I make."
"That would be great, yes. I'm familiar with some martial arts and with swordplay too, but more practice can never hurt. Especially not seeing as I've come into contact with far more bandits than I would've liked last month."
Alex stood up, a small smile on his lips, glad things had worked out for the best for once. He guessed all the animals here truly did resemble humans, including the bad sides. After all, if a large talking unknown being entered his world, would most not simply try to get away from it too? People always mistrust or fear that which they don't know or understand. But there was the occasional kind soul. That soul was, in this case, called Feng or Kara.
"Wait, are you leaving already?" Kara asked when he made movements to stand up.
"I think it is better I go back to my place and retire yes, it is becoming quite late. I'll visit tomorrow or the day after again."
"But…, where DID you live so far? You've been here for weeks know but you obviously did not stay in the village. Where did you sleep so far?"
"Caves can be remarkably comfortable." He said, with a lopsided grin.
Both Feng's and Cara's mouth hit the table as their eyes went wide.
"You seriously live in a cave? Please, you don't have to anymore, we have a spare bedroom, it would be no trouble for you to sleep there!" Kara said quickly while Feng just nodded. Alex smiled. These people were generous as they were kind.
"While I appreciate the offer, it is truly unnecessary for now. I've made some basic furniture already and it isn't too cold or anything. Besides, I like the privacy and rest there." Alex assured them.
"I might come back on your offer if it turns autumn and it becomes too cold out there though." He added as an afterthought. He somehow doubted the cave would be as comfortable if it was covered in ice. With that, he shook their paws, thanked them again and left back to his cave.
Inside the house, Feng and Kara discussed further what just happened.
"I can't believe that HE is the strange monster some of the villagers spoke about." Kara said, affronted. "He was polite, humble and saved Xia… We owe him a life-debt and he seemed troubled to really ask anything in return. He even insisted on working on return! Why?"
"The working part is not so difficult to grasp, darlin'. He has a sense of pride that he wants to keep intact. He doesn't want us take pity on him. He obviously hates the feeling of owing someone something. He wants to stand on his own, and not be dependent on others. Especially not people that he doesn't know or trust. Remember how I was when I arrived in the valley?"
Kara smiled at the memory of a goofy wolf almost breaking his neck by trying to climb in her window when they were dating instead of coming through the front door because he thought the window was more 'romantic'. Feng had always been so stubborn. Unlike her, he didn't hail from the valley and he came here relatively alone. It had worn off a bit the last year with the birth of their children.
"I understand Feng, but still… it was strange. It's really difficult to place him. He did not yet seem to really trust us either, but that's understandable given what horrible things have been said to him by the villagers. He seemed so young and old at the same time."
"He has seen or experienced things that have changed him. Bad things. I.. I could see it, in his eyes. I've seen that look before. He hides it well, but there's a weariness in them. He has seen death. He has suffered."
This was not something that she had expected to hear from her normally cheery husband. And she knew him well enough to know he was utterly serious about this when she saw his grim look.
"Feng, do… do you believe he has lost much? Or do you believe that he has done wrongs? That he can be d-.. dangerous?"
"Kara, he was wearing a sword. And I'm pretty sure that he had more things hidden on him and that he can use that sword. Never mind the fact he can survive inferno's and bandits. But no, I believe him when he says he means no harm. And his past is none of our business."
The last sentence came out a little harder and sharper. He detested the meddlesome judging part of some of the villagers. If they knew about his past, no doubt they would start to generalize him and make him a social outcast, no matter if those same people now liked him. Sometimes, people deserve second chances. He had sunken in his own thoughts and was only pulled out when he felt his wife's arms around him.
"Hey, don't let it drag you down. All that stuff is long ago and doesn't matter now. I just can't help but worry about him for some reason."
Feng couldn't keep from laughing his barking laugh.
"Leave it to you to care and worry about a completely unknown guy who occasionally jumps into fiery buildings, meddles with bandits and can perfectly take care of himself." He shouted snickering.
"Oh you idiot" she exclaimed while giving him a playful slap on his head. "It's a mother thing. You wouldn't understand."
"I hope not, this really isn't the right moment in my life to start doubting my gender." he replied.
"Men…" she muttered. Then she remember something she wanted to ask him. "Feng, dear, are you going to tell Masters Tigress or Shifu?" she asked, a bit unsure.
"I'm not going to lie to them, but I'm not about to tell them myself either. Alex seems to prefer his privacy and deems it safer. Can't really blame him for that, nor break that bit of trust. So unless they ask me directly, they won't hear it from me. You?"
"The same I guess." They stood there enjoying the warmth of the fireplace together for a while longer. "How about we call it a day and go to bed sweetheart?"
"I was hoping you'd say that." Feng blew out the candles and lowered the fire and then followed his wife upstairs.
Alexander returned without much trouble to his cave again. He wasn't a person for heat and frankly, he found the days to be too hot. He had adapted his sleeping schedule in a couple of shorter rests, rather than just sleeping through the entire night or day. He took extended siestas and other rests when it suited him, sometimes in the sun to gain a bit of vitamin D. In the night and early mornings, the valley was pretty much deserted! He could go for walks and even carefully map out the villages if he was a bit careful. Or take a relaxing stroll along the small paths that lead through the rice paddies without having to constantly watch his back. It was an amount of rest he never realized until the possibility for it was so limited.
Even now, instead of keeping to the thick forest he could keep a low profile with his cloak on and he wouldn't have to worry. It all came down to psychology really. Or rather, how you displayed yourself. He walked in a straight, confident pose. Walking at a steady pace but keeping it relaxed. It was a trick he learned long ago. Walk somewhere as if you know what you're doing and no one will bat an eye. He casually nodded to a couple of pigs sitting on a bench at the roadside, who were talking a bit about their days on the fields, and returned their evening greet. He couldn't fight of a smirk. He could only imagine their reactions if they knew the 'flat-faced demon' had just wished them a pleasant evening.
An hour or two later in his cave, he felt more relaxed than he had for the past month. Things weren't alright, not by a long shot. But he had solved his problem of food, had two kind adults who saw him as a somewhat normal person that he could finally talk to, had something to do and had a possibility of learning more or retrieving information.
Not a small part of him saw the fact that he had now someone to speak to as his greatest achievement of the day. He had been alone for over a month now. Utterly alone, without a single human of even being for that matter that saw him as a somewhat decent creature. Never mind the burden of the knowledge he still held no fucking clue to what had exactly happened to him, or how to return. It had been driving him up the walls. Only now he realized how much he had craved even for a bit of social contact. Yup, this was definitely good for his sanity.
Really, he wasn't in a mood for sleeping now that he was a positive mood for a change! And he wouldn't waste that mood on doing some bring stuff that needed doing. No, he wanted to do something that would not be very doable during his usual brooding times. He began searching for his books. He might have been an experienced hiker and traveler that perfectly knew what he should and shouldn't take with him, he always had been stubborn on certain departments. If he was honest with himself he knew it balanced between a streak of vanity and guilty pleasure to take certain -unnecessary- things with him, extra weight and space be damned. One of those things were a few backs. Heaven knows they had saved his sanity multiple times over by now. As a great Tolkien fan he never went anywhere without his paperback (hardcover was too heavy and large) copies of 'the Hobbit', 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'the Silmarillion'. Still the same ones he had received for his eight birthday. It had been a gift from Sarah.
Sarah.
His sister. He was instantly brought into the harsh reality of his desolate situation once more, separated from his family. He opened 'the Hobbit' with a shaking hand to read a few lines that were written in it on a blank page in a neat script :
"To my little brother,
who happens to celebrate the day he came intruding upon the serenity and sanity of my life to destroy it mercilessly ever since.
I recommend you start with this thin one. Even for a hyperactive dunderhead as you, this should be manageable to complete. Maybe these will even raise your non-existent sense for culture up to a socially acceptable level, though I highly doubt it. Or you might take up reading, but that might send your brain into heat-danger from too much activity.
Happy Birthday, Alexander!
Love,
Sarah Jenssen, your big sister that can't get rid of you."
Up in his cave on the mountainside, the receiver of the gift smiled at the memory. Twelve years and he could still remember his giddiness when he learned some new insults. His sister had always managed to treat sarcasm and insults as if they were an art and he was no exception to her rule of including it in her every-day conversations.
His interpretation of raising the cultural bar ultimately ended up in him imitating a goblin for over a month. Honestly, what had she expected otherwise of eight-year-old him? As a compromise, he had taken up reading since.
Then, his eyes sprung open : he knew what he had to do. He fervently went searching between a few books, notepads, a sketchbook and a small box with a collection of postcards (proof of where he'd been) until -finally!- he found what he was looking for in the form of his diary.
Why had he forgotten it? How was it possible that with all the recent events he hadn't written in his journal for over a month? The reason he was reminded of it was that the vast majority of his entries were directed at the very person he'd been thinking about. He couldn't call her, and mailing wasn't much of an option either. So for the last two years, he had written down what he wanted to tell her in letters in the little book. It was another of her gifts. One that he intended to return to her one day, filled.
He opened it and reread some of his latest entries. Then he took his pen, and began to write on the creamy paper.
"Dear Sarah,
Sorry for not writing you for almost a month. But if I claim weird stuff has happened to me lately, it would the understatement of the millennium. Weirder than usual, anyway.
I was actually on my way to see you, down in Oslo. However, I was climbing to check a view a bit north of the smaller Geiranger fjord -you'd remember the place, we went there for holidays in the summer of 2004- when something happened. That 'something' happened to be a massive rock slide. It brought forth a fissure in the earth and I, being the idiot that I am, fell of course in said fissure. Yes, you can lecture me for it later. I'll blame it on the utter lack of good fortune in my life.
Anyhow, I evidently didn't die, even if I should have by all means. I woke up in a green field close to a picturesque valley, relatively unharmed. The catch is that the valley is in China, and most likely it isn't even our China. From what I've been able to gather, I am stranded in a different world of dimension, in a version of ancient China filled with anthropomorphic animals and a complete lack of anything human. There are also uncanny resemblances to the animation movie Kung Fu Panda.
Unfortunately, the world isn't as kind and dreamy as the movie suggests. Hatred, bigotry and fear based on the unknown aren't characteristics to be solely attributed to humanity anymore. Almost all my attempts at contact have ended in me being chased out as a monster, or a wild animal. Interesting change of perspective, but making life for me difficult as hell. However, I've been able to finally meet two wolves who do not seem to treat me as inferior or dangerous. I hope it stays that way. A month without any social contact and looking over your back is insane, even if it seems so comparable to what I've done for the last two years now. Them treating me normal undoubtedly is caused solely because I saved their cub, Xia from a burning building. And yes, it was dangerous to do so, keep it as a subject for lecturing round two.
Anyway, I will finish this entry with a bit of good news. While I do not have the faintest idea yet on how to reverse this process, or what has happened on your side, I seem to have a form of stability and a life-debt if I need it (though contemplating the offer makes me feel foul) for now.
Keep acing those master tests and your thesis. Oh, and give Marcus a punch in the face if he harasses or asks you out again. Somehow, I know he will. He's the dense lumbering type that won't take "no" for a comprehensible answer. Or just kick him in the balls, prevents a little Marcus for future generations. You'd probably be getting a shiny medal for it from the faculty. How that dork managed to end up in your class is something I'll never understand.
I'll write soon to keep you updated, even if you can't read it. Writing it down here for you eases my fears lulls my conscience though, so i'll keep doing it.
Love,
Alexander Jenssen.
Note : I am aware of changing the name seemingly from Alexander to Alex. That is simply because that is how he was mentioned by Xia. Therefore, to the citizens of the valley he would be referred to as 'Alex'.
Also, many names from the real world are fake or bent to my purpose because I'm too lazy to search up the actual names that are fitting beyond what I already know.
Up until now, most chapters already had some rough writing, and from now on they don't. I've got the chapters planned out a bit, content-wise, but that's it. So each chapter might take a bit longer from now on.
Again, thank you for reading, and please leave a review.
