A/N: Here's chapter 10, my friends! :D Merry Christmas and enjoy! :D I don't own KFP or Rudolph the reindeer (1998 remake)
Chapter 10 - The Flight and the Talk
At the headquarters underneath the workshop, Rudolph has gotten two elves named Boone and Doggle to get the sleigh ready. He was gonna take Po back to his home while letting him see the wonderful views from the air. Now, the elves are loading up the sleigh of Santa Claus, while Rudolph's own sleigh to carry Po in is being prepared. There are lots and lots of elves, enough to get more than 6 billion presents each night. Santa's bag is magical, so it doesn't get bigger, just pull into the bag to get the present at any size. Po is sitting next to Rudolph and Zoey while they wait for the sleigh.
"This is gonna be so cool!" Po said in a giddy tone moving his feet about.
"If you don't stop about how excited you are, you'll have an excitement attack," Rudolph joked, making Zoey playfully punch his shoulder.
"Hey, he's always giddy," Rudolph pointed out while smiling.
"Just be sure to be picked up on cue when Santa comes by," said an elf as it walked by.
"What?" said Po.
"I've made arrangements," Rudolph told him with a grin.
"What arrangements?" Po asked him, confused. Rudolph just smiled a bit wider as he put his arm around Po's shoulder.
"I've convinced Santa to let me stay in the Valley for about 10 minutes or so with you, to see your reunion with your friends and family." he said, making Po's eyes widened in amazement.
"It'll take me about three hours to get there with you on board," Rudolph explained, "But I will be leaving just before Santa does and once we get there, I'll be staying for about ten minutes."
Po was awed again, how generous and kind is Rudolph?! He just couldn't believe it! Then Rudolph said, "And also, I'll be doing something special for the people while I'm there."
"What will you be doing?" a stunned Po asked him, making Rudolph chuckle and say, "Let's say it's something to do with the Magic of Christmas."
Po smiled for Rudolph, who returned the smile, Zoey rubbed Rudolph's back and told him, "You will be back for Christmas, won't you?"
"Yes," Rudolph said with a smile, "I'll be back for you, and everyone to have a wonderful Christmas."
Zoey hugged Rudolph, Po felt a bit saddened, because he just got to know Rudolph as his best friend, and now they're going to depart from each other soon. Rudolph knew he would be missed during the Christmas Eve launch, but he had a special friend to look out for, and he wants to make it right. His parents know why, and they're proud of him, but Rudolph doesn't care about fame and fortune, he cares about celebrating Jesus' birth, family and friends more than anything on Christmas. Then, Boone and Doggle came over to Rudolph, Boone was the taller one in the orange suit while Doggle was the shorter one with a purple outfit.
"It's ready, Rudolph," Boone said with a smile.
"Great," Rudolph said with a smile, "Thanks for preparing it for us."
"No problem," Doggle said with a grin, "We're always here for you, Rudolph." He turned to Po and said, "And we are here for you. Have a Merry Christmas." Po smiled and said, "You too." Then Boone told Po a "Merry Christmas" and so did the other elves while Po walked with Rudolph and Zoey to the runway where the sleigh is waiting.
After a minute or two, Po and the two reindeer made it to the runway. Po looked to see the red sleigh, it had rails on it so Po wouldn't fall out of it. It was big enough for him to even sleep in it if he wanted to. Rudolph knew that the Christmas Eve launch would begin soon, for it's turning midnight elsewhere, and it's twenty minutes until launch. Then, Santa came over to the others, he smiled at them and they returned the smile.
"Well Rudolph," Santa said keeping his grin, "This is something that's never been done before in Christmas history."
"I know sir," Rudolph said smiling, "It's just that Po's a special friend, and I want him along with his friends and family to be happy on Christmas."
Santa chuckled, "I can understand that. But remember to be ready on a rooftop to get with the other reindeer as I fly by to pick you up."
"I can do that, sir," Rudolph said, shaking Santa's hand.
Then Blitzen came over and said, "Be careful, my son." Rudolph smiled, hugged his dad and said, "I will. The Magic will keep me and Po from falling." Blitzen smiled as Rudolph let go of him, then Zoey gave him a good luck kiss, causing him to blush and his red nose to glow, making everyone chuckle, including Po. Then Rudolph turned to Po and asked, "Are you ready?"
"Oh-Oh yeah!" Po said with a little nervousness, "I am excited...and nervous at the same time..."
Rudolph chuckled, "There's nothing to worry about. I won't let you fall." Po chuckled, knowing he can trust Rudolph.
"Let's go," Rudolph said with a smile, he knew the elves and reindeer from all over the village would come to see the launch and they needed to get moving fast. He turned to Santa as he put the reins on himself and said, "Tell Slyly and Leonard I said 'good bye.'"
"You can count on it," Santa said with another grin.
Then Po got into the sleigh, but he did slip and fall onto his head, but not hard. When Po got onto his seat and sat up straight, he put on his seat belt and then he saw Rudolph on all fours. Rudolph looked over his shoulder at Po and asked with his classy grin, "Are you ready?"
"Let's do it..." Po said in an excited yet nervous tone.
Then Rudolph began running on all fours, taking Po a bit off guard because he began going so fast. The elves in the village, along with the reindeer saw them going down the runway and they began cheering for Rudolph to get Po back to the Valley and for Po to have a Merry Christmas. Rudolph kept running and running while Po held his seat in nervousness as they got closer to the edge of the runway. Rudolph let out a smile as Po closed his eyes in fear, but then, he felt himself and the sleigh going upward. He opened his eyes, and when he did, he gasped.
"AAAAAHHH!" he screamed.
The whole village was below him! He was going higher and higher, he looked to see Rudolph flying while he still ran on all fours, he saw the Magic coming out from underneath the sleigh, it was different colors, flashing and sparkling as they flew. When Po saw that he was safe in the sleigh, and with a faithful companion, he calmed down at took in the views. He took in a deep breath and slowly breathed out, relaxing as Rudolph brought him to the height they needed to be at when traveling across the globe. Then, the ride got smoother, Po didn't feel as much wind flying by when they took off, it was like a smooth ride in the sky.
"Look around you," Rudolph said looking over his shoulder.
Po did so and then he was awestruck on what he saw, a dense mountain range with snow capped peaks, it was so beautiful it was almost like a sheet of paper with such wonderful beauty. Then the beautiful blue ocean came into view, it was sparkling under the sun's golden light as they flew. Po's mouth was wide open with joy and happiness while he had wide eyes. He just loved the sights!
"Aaaawwwssommmeeee..." Po murmured in excitement.
"Isn't it," said a voice to the side, Po jumped and looked to see it was Rudolph sitting right beside him! How is this thing flying?!
"Rudolph?!" Po said in shock, "Who's flying this thing?!"
"I am," Rudolph said with a grin, he pointed ahead to let Po see that it was Magic carrying the sleigh, "I told you with the Magic of Christmas, I can do all kinds of wonderful things. But it's only granted to the fliers of Santa once a year."
"That's awesome," Po said with a grin, "By the way, if you don't get the Magic by Christmas Eve, how were you out and about marking the fastest routes?"
"Back up Magic," Rudolph told him with a grin, "We do have magic stored in a safe place for those who need it. But it's limited, but on Christmas Eve, there's no limit."
Po admired Rudolph a little more, he might not be a mystical kung fu master, but he does have a kind, generous heart that's made from gold and he's just one of the main examples of Christmas Spirit.
"You're insanely awesome," Po complimented to Rudolph, making the reindeer smile a bit wider, it was hard not to beam back at Po's praise, so Rudolph replied, "Thank you." Po nodded as they continued to fly.
As they continued to fly through the clear sky with a wonderful sea below them, Rudolph looked to see they're one hundred miles away from the North Pole. He looked at Po and said, "It'll take us about three hours to get there, so you might wanna sit back and relax." Po smiled, he wanted to do that. So that's what he did. But then, he dropped his smile, now that Rudolph was a great friend, he figured to tell him the personal reason.
"Rudolph," Po said softly.
"Yeah?" Rudolph asked looking at him.
"Rudolph..." Po said with a little hesitation, "I know this is gonna sound silly...but do you think Tigress likes me?"
Rudolph was a bit surprised by the question, he then asked, "Why do you ask that?"
"I mean, look at me," Po said, flopping his belly up and down, "Emeka back in the Valley is big and strong. He's great at kung fu, and has everyone's approval. But me, I'm just a big, fat, flabby panda."
"Now don't start talking negative about yourself," Rudolph urged him, "Everyone's uniquely made in God's own image."
"Yeah, but Tigress is a nice, beautiful, and skinny woman," Po told him, "How can someone fall for a fat panda?"
"Po, it's not the outside that counts," Rudolph told him, "What truly counts is the inside of a person."
"But Zoey fell for you," Po told him, "You're not fat like me. You've got the best ripped body and abs I've ever seen."
Rudolph was surprised and let out a surprised soft laugh while he blushed and his nose glowed its red color. He then recovered and said, "I may be so, but the inside of me was shown to Zoey, and she saw me as a caring, loving, understanding, wonderful, and funny guy. Someone doesn't need abs like mine to attract a woman, they need to see what's in the person."
"I bet the does attack you all the time," Po said.
"They do sometimes," Rudolph said as he stopped his nose from glowing, "But that's because I'm a legend, and you're the Dragon Warrior. People must want to get to us because of that. They just want to be your best friends to be right by your side. But what they fail to see is what makes you, you. The right girl will come when she comes. Don't give up, let God drive you to the right one. He decides which girl for you to be with."
"You have a girl...er doe..." Po pointed out.
"That I do," Rudolph said with a grin, "But we've never kissed each other on the lips or anything like that. We just love hanging out with each other and sometimes giving each other a kiss on the cheek."
Po smiled, "You're a great friend to have, Rudy."
"Thanks," Rudolph replied, "You too."
Rudolph gave Po a hug, and the panda returned the hug. Rudolph let go of him and asked, "Want some hot chocolate?"
"I would love some, but where would we get it?" Po asked.
Rudolph just grinned as he grabbed a hidden cup from underneath the seat and pulled down a switch, when he did, hot chocolate filled the cup!
"Oh, hoo-hoo-hoo!" said a giddy Po, "Awesome! You and Santa are the greatest!"
"But remember," Rudolph said as he gave Po his cup, "Your home is in the Valley. You have great stuff there too."
"I'll miss you, Rudolph..." Po said in a little sad tone as he began drinking the hot chocolate, for the wind cooled it off a bit.
"I'll miss you too..." Rudolph said with the same tone Po had.
Then Rudolph got some cookies out for Po, which made him giddy once again. Rudolph smiled as he made his own hot chocolate while Po took the cookies and began eating them.
"Merry Christmas, Rudolph," Po said with a smile, rubbing Rudolph's shoulder.
"Merry Christmas to you too!" Rudolph exclaimed in a happy tone.
With that, Po began to drink more of his hot chocolate while Rudolph pulled the reins to the left and they began going left. Po couldn't help but wonder what's gonna happen when he gets back to the Valley, he couldn't help but think about his dad and his time of need, and his friends who must be saddened and worried for him.
About two hours and forty five minutes later, it's evening in the Valley. The lanterns on the houses glowed in the night, everyone is ready and they're happy for the holidays coming. In the midst of the Valley, Tigress is down there, she was told by Shifu to get the flaked jasmine for the Feast. Tigress looked in awe at the Valley's lanterns and decorations as the families were all together and happy. Tigress looked into a window to see a bunny family with some friends and they having meal time together while one bunny hung up the lantern with their family painted on it.
"Good job son," the dad bunny said to the bunny who hung up the sun lantern.
"Thanks Dad," the kid bunny said before laughing and running up in his dad's arms.
Tigress looked around to see a pig man and woman laughing with each other and having a great time. Tigress began to feel something...something she's never felt before...she looked to the left and sees a group of kids laughing and running into a woman goose's house for a warm meal. Tigress began wondering something...was that reindeer right? Should Christmas be about family and friends and being loved around loved ones? Then a tear began to fall from her face, she reached to touch it, and when she did, she slightly gasped as her eyes widened. She felt some more water come into her eyes as she held her face in shock to know that she's tearing up. She's shocked, never has shed a tear in a long time.
She knows she's caring towards infants, she cares a lot about the people of the Valley, she cares about her friends, but she's always been dedicated to Kung Fu, wanting to be one of the best warriors of the country, she knows that family's important to the Holiday now, but she's concerned about her reputation and the Emperor coming.
After everything...the disappearance of Po, the reindeer...she's beginning to feel a tug for family, not fame and fortune, she's crying for the first time in who knows how long?
"Was that reindeer telling the truth..." Tigress mumbled to herself, unsure on what to do.
She sadly looked up at the Jade Palace's dark silhouette in the dark night, it wasn't lit up like the Valley, it just looked dark. Tigress sighed, knowing she had to be there for the Feast. She let some more tears fall as she began climbing up the stairs.
A/N: Is it me, or is Tigress softening up? If it's not me, let me know. XD Anyways, did you enjoy that chapter? Isn't Rudolph a great friend to Po? He's so kind, generous, and an understanding kind of guy. He's a friend I want to have. :) Anyway, please leave a review! :D