Chapter 9: Po's Decision
Shifu looked the panda up and down with wide eyes. This is Dragon, from Master Oogway's vision? No, it can't be maybe Dragon isn't here yet, yes that has to be it, Shifu thought to himself. Of course the panda did look strong Shifu could tell by some muscle that he must be a fighter but the warrior Oogway described it was impossible.
Po frowned and said, "I am sorry is the position already filled".
"I am sorry what position were you applying for?" Shifu asked remembering the panda's previous statement.
"The cook's position, I saw it in this ad and I wanted to apply for it," Po said showing Shifu the ad.
"Ah yes, the ad uh no it has not been filled please come in um what did you say your name was again young man?" Shifu asked.
"Po, Po Ping," Po said bowing.
"Well I am Master Shifu and this is the Jade Palace, I will ask you some simple questions and then I along with my students will sample your work if all of them like it, then you will have a job, if not you must leave," Shifu said.
"Sounds fair," Po said smiling.
"Question one Do you have a problem with secrecy?" Shifu asked.
"No, may I ask why?" Po asked.
"My students work hard and will ask meals for odd periods of time, if they ask for food you must cook and not ask where they have been or what they did is that understood?" Shifu asked.
"I understand," Po said.
"Good and don't bother them while they train and you answered my question of working at odd hours. One last question how long have you been cooking?" Shifu asked.
"I have been cooking since I was five, my dad owns a noodle shop in Peace Country, called Mr. Ping's Noodle shop," Po said.
"Very impressive well one last test to see if you get the job," Shifu said, leading Po into the kitchen. Po marveled at the high tech equipment this was stuff his dad only dreamed of owning and Po had only seen in catalogs.
"This is the most awesome kitchen ever," Po said with wide eyes.
"Thank you now make a simple meal dumplings would be good and I shall summon my students," Shifu said.
"Yes, Master right away," Po said bowing and immediately got to work. He washed his paws and began to make his dumplings. His thoughts drifted back to meeting the Five and wondering if maybe he should join them. They all had powers or said they did and wanted him to join. Yet, he feared his power that he would hurt an innocent so he focused on the food and heard voices. Po saw Shifu come back with five figures. One was a green snake, a green bug, a white bird, an orange monkey, and lastly in the dead was an orange and black tiger.
"Po Ping, allow me to introduce, Viper, Mantis, Crane, Monkey and Tigress," Shifu said. "Students this is Po Ping," Shifu said.
"Please to meet you," the snake said smiling.
"Hi," the bug said.
"Hello," the bird said shyly.
"Nice to meet you," said the monkey waving.
"Welcome," said the tiger who folded her arms.
"Please to meet you, these are my dumplings hope you like them," Po said giving each member and Shifu one. Then he waited as they sampled his work.
"Oh man this is good," Mantis said scarfing his dumpling down.
"I agree it is very tasty," Viper said.
"Really good," Monkey said smiling.
"I like them," Crane said munching his down.
"Very impressive," Shifu said. Po smiled so far everyone liked his dumplings; he looked at Tigress and hoped she liked them too.
"They are sufficient," she said casually.
"So, does this mean I have the job?" Po asked.
"Yes, yes it does," Master Shifu said. Po was jumping for joy in his head until an old green turtle, wearing a blue robe, and walking with a cane came up to him.
"Greetings Dragon," the turtle said. Po stiffened and the others looked at him oddly.
"Why would you call me Dragon sir, my name is Po, Po Ping," Po said nervously.
"No need to feel afraid Po, we won't hurt you, we like you all have powers too," the turtle said with a smile.
"Master he is not Dragon," Shifu said hoping not to alarm Po. Till he heard Po's thoughts and began to doubt what he had just said.
Thank the Great Spirits Master Shifu doesn't think I am Dragon, but how does this turtle know I am Dragon; please tell me my wings are not sticking out again, Po's mind begged.
"No your wings are still hidden like you always do when you are not wearing your costume," the turtle said.
"How did you know that?" Po asked.
"I too have gifts like you, one gift I possess is the ability to read minds, and my name is not turtle but Master Oogway," said the turtle.
"Okay so you read minds so that means that the five here must be the Furious Five?" Po asked looked at them.
"Yes, and they asked you to join them yet, you refused," Oogway said.
"Master are you trying to tell me that this panda is the one called Dragon, the warrior you saw in your vision?" asked Tigress. She could not believe it but if Master Oogway said he was Dragon, she wanted proof first.
"Yes, Tigress he is Dragon, Po show them your wings," Master Oogway said.
"Okay," Po said and revealed two black bat- like wings. Everyone's but Oogway's mouths dropped. "Okay so you know who I am and I know that you five are the Furious Five no need to tell me your codes names it is obvious. Viper is Emerald, Crane is White Shriek, Mantis is Quick Jade, Monkey is Jokester, and Tigress is Huntress," Po said.
"Correct," Oogway said.
"Okay, now that we have all that out of the way would someone mind telling me why you all want me on your team so badly?" Po asked.
"It is because I had a vision Po, of a great evil five figures attacking and defeating my students, the palace in flames and great destruction fell over Peace City. The only hope I saw was a dragon, it was you, Po, helping the five defeating this evil and bringing peace back to Peace City. If you join us you will help save the world," Master Oogway said.
"I helped save the world?" Po asked.
"Yes, I know you doubt yourself Po, you are far stronger than the Five as well as Shifu and myself put together," Oogway said.
"Then why trust me to join your team, I may do more harm than good," Po said.
"I have seen the good you done and I know you will make this team greater," Oogway said.
"Look I want to help you I do but I am too much of a risk and I work alone," Po said. He felt bad he wanted to help but he may put the Five at risk, but then again without him they would probably die. Po looked at them all some such as Tigress still disbelieved he was Dragon, others like Oogway smiled seeing him as a hero. "Okay I will help you and join this team but on one condition," he said.
"Name your condition," Oogway said gently.
"Once I help defeat this evil, I am free to go my own way again," Po said.
"If that is what you wish it is granted," Oogway said.
"Welcome to the team Po," Viper said.
"Yeah, you will still be our cook right?" Mantis asked.
"Yeah," Po said with a smile hoping this team thing would go better than it did the first time.
Author's Note: Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and please review.
