R&R
made up word: solcaric - suspiciously concerned
The Next Dragon Warrior
Chapter 8
"Shifu's Dreams"
We had dinner that night at the outdoor kitchen again. Once everyone was finished Tigress lead the campers back to the cabanas. I started to leave when I heard "Wait Jo." Po was picking up some of the bowls left by the campers. "I have to clear the tables before I leave. If you wait a second I can walk back to the bunkhouse with you."
"Sure thing." I expected after what had happened this morning between him and Shifu, he probably just wanted some one to walk with. Not to mention I still hadn't completely learned the Palace grounds yet and probably wouldn't be able to find he bunkhouse on my own.
I grabbed a few of the bowls for him. When he was done we started walking to the bunkhouse.
I had figured he probably didn't want to talk much but I guess I was wrong.
"Master Shifu told me what you said this morning... about the things I taught you last night."
"He did?"
"He apologized about what he said to me. Then he said 'Po, you never cease to amaze me. You've learned to teach people in a way most strive to achieve.' So I wanted to tell you 'thanks.'"
"It was no big deal. You helped me out first remember." You gotta defend your heroes
"Yeah but still, it's not an easy thing to confront Master Shifu, for anyone really."
"Maybe it's just that I haven't seen what he's capable of doing to someone when he's really angry."
Po laughed. "Yeah, you don't want to see him that angry. I've seen him when he's that angry at someone. Actually I was the person he was that angry at. Don't let his littleness fool you. He'll put the hurt on you"
I laughed a little more.
I slowly got out of bed. Nature didn't just call, it shouted. Today's training had left me exhausted. At dinner I downed nearly three glasses of water. The fact that Po made a spicy broth for dinner added about another glass to it.
Now I had to find the bathroom. I looked over at Po's bed. He wasn't there. He was probably in the bathroom too. It'd be just like him to chug down a bunch of water at dinner.
I'm not sure how, but I somehow knew I couldn't have been asleep for too long. If I even went to sleep at all. I probably just dozed for a few minutes.
I made my way down the dark hallway. Po was right. This floor creaked a lot at night.
I stopped. The light in Master Shifu's room was still on. The light from a lantern shed a soft light through the translucent paper wall. I noticed the door was ajar. I might have just kept walking except I heard Po's voice. "Sorry guys, I had to wait for Jo to fall asleep."
My curiosity got the better of me. I quietly looked inside. Master Shifu along with Po and the Furious Five were all sitting on the floor around the low table in front of his bed.
I could hear Master Tigress talking. "Master now that we're all present, will you tell us why you've called us here."
Shifu sighed heavily. "I've been having these dreams... with Master Oogway."
Tigress said "Master, it's only natural you'd be dreaming about him, you were both close friends-
"What I mean to say is... their not dreams about Oogway. Oogway is... visiting me in my dreams."
The six of them went silent. They were all ears now.
"He has been telling me that there is a young one at this camp who will carry on to greatness in kung fu."
"Well that's what we were hoping for with this camp isn't it?" said Viper.
"I mean Great greatness in Kung Fu. As in... they might be my future pupil. They might follow in your footsteps. One day be a member of The Five, or be... well... as strange as this may sound... the next Dragon Warrior."
Po leaned in closer, "Did he say who?"
Master Shifu sighed sadly. "No. He said he can only sense the person at camp. I'm guessing the very same way he could sense the Dragon Warrior's presence the last time."
"Will he ever know?" asked Monkey.
"He said that it's being revealed to him slowly. And he would slowly reveal it to us."
"Us?" questioned Mantis.
"Yes. We were all students of Oogway. Each of us has a portion of his knowledge. He said each of his students will be visited by him in their dreams. Only when all of the student's dreams come together will it make sense."
"So each of us is going have dreams like this?" Crane said "When?"
"I don't know. That's why I want us to meet here every few days to see if he has revealed anything to you at night."
Viper looked confused. "What is he supposed to be telling us about it? What should we be looking for?"
"I'm not entirely sure. He said he will know the student by their name, but he might not say it out right. He doesn't always speak verbally in these dreams. Sometimes you know what he's saying because... you just know. It's hard to explain."
"Master, have you had dreams like this before?" Tigress asked solcarically.
He sighed. "Yes, but most of the time it's words of wisdom or encouragement. This was the first time it's been something... different." He seemed to shake himself back to the subject. "But every night I want you to just open your thoughts. Allow Oogway to visit you. This might make it easier. We will meet again in a few days."
They all started to get up. I bolted down the hall way trying to avoid as much floor creaking as possible.
Once I got to our room I made for the bed but tripped over something in the dark, and fell with a loud thud.
The door opened.
"Whoah, you OK buddy?" Po asked.
"Yeah," I said stumbling to my feet. "Just tripped over my bag."
"What are you doing up?" He had a look of warm suspicion.
"I was... going to the bathroom. Where exactly is it?"
"Oh sure," he looked happily relieved. "Down the hall, past Mantis's room, and take a right."
"Thanks."
It wasn't until I got back to the room and lied down in the darkness that I allowed myself to think about what I'd just heard. There was a camper here who would be legendary in Kung Fu. This is what I'd been waiting for. This could be my destiny. But I knew it wouldn't just come easily. I had to work at it. And this camp would help. I had to keep training. To make it my Destiny
Jo Crevan, member of The Furious Fi- No, The Strong... or Sensational Six.
Or maybe, Master Jo, "The Next Dragon Warrior."
Yeah, I liked the sound of that.
Good or bad, Let me know
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