Chapter 10: Broken Dreams
Star was put in her room to rest. Po went to the kitchen to cook up some dinner while the others besides Tigress went to meditate. Tigress wrapped her arms around Po and softly whispered," Seems you and Star make quite the tag team".
"Yeah sorry about that Double Knockout hope you and Viper are okay," Po said rubbing Tigress's face with his paw.
"If I said my head did hurt what would you do?" Tigress asked with a sly look.
"Kiss it and make it better," Po said returning the sly grin.
Tigress pointed to her forehead and said," It hurts here". Po placed his lips on her forehead and kissed it. "And it hurts here," Tigress said pointing to her cheek. He kissed that spot too and then Tigress pointed to her lips. "It hurts here too," she said with a purr. Po kissed her lips as he wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her closer to him. Tigress wrapped her tail around Po's legs burying her head into his fur. When they let go Po rubbed her back and she kept her head on his chest. "So, tell me Dragon Warrior, why didn't you show us the moves before?" Tigress asked in a curious matter.
"Well Star and I made them up when we were kids. In my mind they were our moves and I didn't want to do them unless they were with her. Also I would get nervous about teaching someone those moves I mean they look easy but they are not. The Double Knockout if you time it wrong your enemy or a bully in our case could get a broken leg or neck. You have to time it just right and for the Turbo Twister if you can't hang on for very long then your partner could get severely injured. I was afraid if I tried to teach you all those moves you would get more injured than non-injured," Po explained.
"It is fine Po I understand but I would still like to learn," Tigress said smiling at him.
"Okay maybe tomorrow I can teach you but bring extra padding and I'll have Shifu pad the area or have Crane be around to catch you. I don't want you or anyone else getting hurt," Po said in a firm but worried tone.
"My sweet protective panda how I love you," Tigress purred.
"And I love you my brave Tigress Warrior Queen," Po said kissing her. "Could you grab Star dinner should be ready in about thirty minutes," Po said as he began adding ingredients to the soup.
"Sure I'll be back," Tigress said and headed towards Star's room.
Star was on her bed feeling sad again. After two days of training her heart was growing heavy. Getting up from her bed she went on a run to clear her head. She did this a lot when she was a cub. Usually at night and Po would find her gone. Freak out and go find her, bring her home before dad found out they both were gone. Unbeknown to her a pair of golden eyes was following her. Star ran outside the dirt against her paws as the cool evening air was on her back. She ran down the dusty roads and stood before her building. The old run down place that was going to be her Art Academy. When she talked about this place other people said it was a dump and should be torn down. Only her eyes could see the true potential in this place. Ever since she was young she wanted to have her own Art Academy and worked her tail off to get it. No one handed her anything she earned every gold piece and every chance she had she took. Now in her room was the deed to this place officially it was hers to own. Now it was just a piece of paper that would collect dust.
Instead of living the dream she wanted she had to live a destiny that someone chose her to do. It wasn't fair she worked her whole life for this place only to have someone say," Sorry this is no longer your destiny. You have to follow this destiny or everyone you love will die," Tears streaked down her face as she did the only thing that made her feel better. Star began to dance. She tapped her feet on the floor and spun to her left and dipped low. Moving her hips to an unheard rhythm, and she did a leap and spun again her heart racing as she felt like she was herself again. Just then she heard a noise and she stopped dancing and looked above her. Standing on a roof was Tigress. "How long you been standing there?" Star asked putting her paws down.
"Long enough to see the dance recital," Tigress said. She leaped down to the ground and landed before Star. "You seem upset," Tigress stated looking at Star's eyes.
"Yeah I am I spent my whole life working to get this place Tigress. Now some old turtle no offense to Master Oogway is telling me I have to follow a new destiny. It just sucks," Star said sitting on the ground with her back to the wall.
"Most people would be happy to be in your place," Tigress said sitting next to her.
"Good for them if I could give them my place I would," Star muttered.
"I know how you feel I worked 20 years to be the Dragon Warrior only to have your brother be chosen," Tigress said. "Instead of accepting the decision I was less than cruel to your brother and I am sorry," Tigress said sadly.
"You're just lucky I wasn't there when Po was chosen," Star said with a smirk.
"Oh really?" Tigress asked.
"Yeah let's just say unlike Po if someone treats me badly I do not take it easy like Po does. If someone gets in my face I get in their face. Someone hits me I hit them. People say I have an attitude problem though I don't see it. In all honesty Tigress if I have met you then I would have kicked your ass for treating my brother so poorly. But Po later explained why you felt that way so I forgave you because I would feel angry too I just wished you handled things differently," Star said.
"Yeah so do I but I have a second chance by helping you out and making you feel welcome at the Palace," Tigress said.
"I appreciate it but in all honesty I wish I could give the title to you. Po wanted to be a Kung Fu Master not me. Dancing is my way not fighting," Star grumbled.
"Could you tell me how you were going to fix up the place," Tigress asked. Star handed her a notebook filled with drawings. She saw the front of the building painted a deep blue and on the front of the building was a white Star. In Bold white letters was the name Star Ping Art Academy. The window sills were painted a light gray with marble steps and lotus blossoms along the side with the railings made out of marble. Inside the hall was painted a deep violet and the floor was carpeted with violet flowers and the walls were decorated with Master of dancing, theater, you name it. The kitchen was painted a lighter blue and was about the size of the training hall. It held a center station where students could learn how to cook with the latest cooking equipment and the head chef would be in the center. The tiles would be a marble black and upstairs would be the theatre and music hall. The theatre was painted a dark purple with a wooden stage and chairs with desks where kids could watch and take notes. A closet filled with props and costumes and on the entrance were the famous sad and happy masked faces. The music room was a teal color with the same thing as the theatre room only with instruments. The next floor was the dance studio which was an empty room with a stage and chairs and a black piano was so the kids would learn new dance steps. The art room was filled a rainbow of colors with paints, clay, an oven for pottery all kinds of things artist need. Then there was the top floor with rooms for orphaned kids. One side was for the girls and the other was for boys. Each side had two bunk beds in each room with enough room for a dresser and for a kid to keep whatever stuff they had. Outside were apple trees and a small garden. In the way back was a huge wooden stage and chairs so parents and villagers could see how their children progressed. "Wow you put a lot of thought into this place," Tigress said with an amazed grin.
"Yeah it would have been a wonderful dream. That was all I ever wanted was to dance professionally and come back home build my academy and help the kids who weren't born into money nor had a place to stay. A chance to nurture their gift, and be given a good life. Star stood up as a tear fell from her face. "Come on we better get back before Po and the others begin to worry," Star said sadly and ran back to the Palace. Tigress looked again at the pictures and at the worn down building and wished with all her might that Star could have her dream and not let it be a broken one.
Author's Note: Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and please review.