Author Note : As promised, here's the chapter that I've promised about two days ago! Before we began, I am very happy and grateful that my story was able to reached more than 10,1K views! Keep up the support, the story is only getting more interesting as I'm planning more ideas and other major parts of the story before writing it out. Hope you enjoy this chapter as always!
Chapter 24 : Passing On Traditions
It's been more than a month and a half has passes ever since the death of the Night Killer, the people in the Valley or maybe even the whole continent of China were immensely relieved that the Night Killer was killed for good. Now with that topic is over, I think this season is right around the mid-December. Brrr... plus it's also getting very chilly around here even if we're inside the Jade Palace. Today is Wednesday morning and we're still training like hell before as always. But suddenly I kept constantly sneezing every twenty others seemed worried about me and approaches me.
"Oh hey-" Before I finish my greeting, a sneeze has began building up inside my nose. "H-H-HAACHOO!" I took a few sniffs before speaking. "How's it going?" I finished my greeting while trying to sound normal.
"Lukas, are you feeling alright?" Crane inquired worriedly. I smirked.
"Yup I'm alright, don't worry about me, it's just this place is getting chillier." I assured, wiping my nose.
"It's certainly is." Monkey added, looking around and feeling the cold atmosphere of this season. Mantis then hopped on Monkey's shoulder.
"And don't forget about the Winter Feast, which I heard that is determined to start at 31th December this year, hosted in the Jade Palace." Mantis announced.
"Oh yeah! Those are THEE real foods for us," Monkey quickly took a quick glance at the panda. "no offense Po, we all still love your cooking as always." Monkey apologized. Po then gave him a thumbs up in response of assurance.
"But today is just 14th December, I'm pretty getting tire for waiting for so long." Mantis complained.
Before I join and kept conversing with my the guys in here, I've remember that I gotta go help Tigress with the Hadoken training. And I have to admit, she's doing far better than I've expected. I told my friends that I need to help Tigress on her training, they all nodded as I leave the Training Hall to meet her at the quite Training Courtyard. When I arrived, she was standing on the stone wall with her back placing on it with her eyes closed as she awaits for my arrival. She then opens her eyes once she felt my presence.
"Took you long enough, I thought you were gonna be late." She spoke with sarcastim. I laughed inwardly.
"Sorry 'bout dat." I apologized. "Let's begin, but first, show me how well has your training is been going." I motioned as she nodded. She stood out of the stone wall and walked towards the center of this courtyard. Tigress widens her stance, waving her arms around and cupped her hand together, soon, the fiery golden energy ball has formed on her palms smoothly. "Nicely done! Now tell me how heavy is it now?" I asked.
"Not heavy as before." She responded. She then thrust her palm further and the energy blast hits one of the Courtyard's wooden targets and breaks it into a hundred pieces. My mouth was left widen as I'm totally in awe that it only took her almost less than two months to master the Hadoken?! I then walked to her and put my hand on her shoulder.
"You know, you might even surpass me, but that's not gonna be easy." I said, smirking confidently that surpassing me would be quite difficult for her.
"Remember this, that I'll always be one step ahead of you." She replied before she gave me a light friendly punch on my arm.
"Ouch, that hurts, you dummy!" I exclaimed in a silly manner with my left hand clenching my left chest as my right extended up to the bright sky. She somewhat finds my goofy behavior... funny in a way for her. We both stood up from the floor. "It's seemed you've learned quite a lot of the Hadoken, now... for the final step." I spoke sternly as I cast away my goofy side and let my seriousness flow in. Her face then placed with seriousness as well.
"What is the final step?" Tigress inquired. It took me a moment to remember what's the final step actually is.
"Is learning how to "throw" it." I said. "If you could at least throw five Hadoken in ten minutes without exhausting yourself, then you have mastered the Hadoken." I explained. I stood back from afar and watch how she's doing. She widens her stance as she's covered with a bright golden aura.
Few Moments Later
It was just... unbelievable, she did eight Hadoken in ten minutes instead of five. I better be more careful if we both ever gonna sparring match again. She seemed slightly exhausted, so I made my way to her.
"Hey, how're you holding up?" I asked worriedly. She then finally managed to catch her breath.
"Yeah, so how did I do?" She shrugged off the pain and eagerly asked for her results.
"You did..." I spoke before I trailed off to think of something else to say. Her ears perked as she waits for my answer. "H-H-HAACHOO!" I sneezed again which made her tried to suppress a light chuckle. "What I meant was... you did more than I could imagine, your quite a fast learner you know and to be honest, I'm quite proud of myself for passing on the Ansatsuken techniques and traditions to someone like you." I complimented her which it made a warm smile appeared on her face.
"Your teachings reminds me of when the time master Shifu trains me in Bao Gu Orphanage." She said, remembering those times when her "father" was training on how to control his strength and temper.
"Do I, or is it something different?" I inquired.
"Yes, I would say those bright smiles of yours." She admitted. Which made my cheeks reddened a bit as I coughed in a bashful manner.
"Ehehehehehe... your weird when you trying to act nice, ya know." I stated. Later, we both laugh and continued to converse as we're sitting on the ground of the courtyard. While we both continued conversing, the red panda Shifu soon appeared out of nowhere and approaches us both.
"I see you both getting along quite well." Shifu spoke with a small smile. We both stood up from the ground.
"Oh hey master, I was recently teaching Tigress a technique that's rooted in the Ansatsuken." I greeted. Shifu's eyes widens in surprised.
"How honorable of you, passing on the traditions of the Ansatsuken. But what kind of technique you've taught her?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.
"The Hadoken." I replied.
"Alright then, may I see the result of your training." Shifu requested as he may sounded unconvinced. But I can't wait to get that look on his face when she surprised him by successfully performing the Hadoken.
"She's gonna start off by it by throwing one at me." I motioned for Tigress with a gesture for her to begin her demonstration of the Hadoken. Shifu was still at the same spot there and watch how'll she does. I stood in front of her and readied myself. She widens her stance as a fiery golden aura is emitting from her. She waves her arm around and cupped her both hand together, soon, an glowing golden fiery energy ball is growing on her cupped paws. She shouts "Hado... KEN!" as she thrust her both palms forward as the energy ball has launched from her palms and went straight at me. I tried blocking the energy blast, but it dispersed wide open and explodes upon contacting with me. I was send flying and collides on the stone wall of the Training Courtyard.
"Lukas? Are you alright?" Tigress asked worriedly while she rushed toward me and helped me up to my feet. I turned to Shifu.
"So master, what do you think?" I asked as I patted all the dust of my back. Shifu then took a deep breath.
"I never knew that you be such a capable teacher." He replied impressed.
"Oh c'mon master, I was only returning the favor to Tigress for sharpened my skills."
"This is simply incredible. Normally, it would took more than fifty years for someone to learn how to control Chi, but utilizing it will take at least another thirty years." He uttered. My eyes soon shot open from that amount of time for someone to fully mastered Chi.
"Okay, that is WAY TOO much for me to handle, but seriously?! It took eighty years in total for someone to mastered Chi. But have you ever heard of Ki?" I asked.
"Yes I heard of it, it is what the Japanese calls it." Shifu replied.
"You know, logically, Chi and Ki are literally the same energy, it's just that other countries or cultures calls it." I said. Shifu and Tigress raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"Do they?" Shifu asked further.
"Yup, but the Chinese way of yours of learning to harness and channel these energy is far too slow, there's also other numerous famous martial arts too struggles from this, but only one I think might be the fastest of learning to control these energy is the-."
"Ansatsuken." Shifu spoke in a hush tone.
"Yes, and always remember, that the one I'm using is the Mu No Ken, the Power Of Nothingness." I soon realized it time for me to go back to my room as I need to do something. "Master." I called him.
"Yes Lukas?" Shifu responded.
"May I go back to my room, I gotta do something really fast." I requested. The red panda nodded. I left the courtyard and head back inside the Student Barrack. I noticed it was around already the time of 6PM as I looked outside of my window. So maybe the rest of the other's training must be over by one hour soon. I dwelled in further in the hall as I found my room, sliding open the door rightward, head inside my room and closed the door by sliding it leftward. I looked under my bed and searched for an the scroll that I've taken from the library of the Hall Of Warriors without anyone noticing, not even Shifu has know it yet since the library is filled with hundred and hundreds of scrolls. The the scroll that I'm holding right now is the cpscroll that contains every essential and secrets of the Ansatsuken. I remove the lid for the scroll's casing the scroll and slowly and cautiously opened the scroll as I skipped most things and goes to that one topic that I must to know, the Satsui No Hado.
I began reading the topic and learning quite a lot of it. And damn, this power is just... absolutely terrifying, but I've heard a story that my previous master Gouken used to tell me and my adoptive older brothers about his previous master, Goutetsu, the only known man who can use the Satsui No Hado without going mad and shown any sign of corruption or losing his humanity. So all I need to learn about the Satsui No Hado for how to fully control it without losing my humanity and use it for one purpose... to avenge my deceased parents from that fucking bastard Akuma. As I continued reading, I heard a voice which belonged to Viper who called me
"Lukas! Dinner's ready!" I quickly grabbed the casting and put the scroll back inside, further covering it further with the two lids and hide it under my bed.
I stood up and respond back by shouting "Coming!" before rushing to the kitchen and have dinner with the guys. Everyone then looked at me with slightly suspicious eyes.
"What?" I asked as I become uneasy from their stares.
"You've never been late in dinner, even for at least five minutes." Mantis spoke before he eat a spoonful of rice.
"Yeah I know, I was just... you know... tired from those training today." I replied, trying to sound calm.
"You didn't done that much today." Viper stated.
"Yeah, what's up with you today?" Po added.
"I-I uggh-" I was trying get a word out of my head, but there were word word yet has come to my mind.
"He's been helping me with my training today." Tigress spoke. Everyone softened their stares and somehow has forgetten what just happened recently as they all got curious.
"What moves you taught her?" Monkey asked.
"You guys remember those energy blasts I could perform right?" I asked. They all nodded. "Well... I've sort of taught Tigress how to perform the Hadoken." I sheepishly rubes the back of my head. The sounds in the kitchen was filled with gasps as mixture of awestruck and surprise.
"No way! Did she?!" Po asked. I nodded. "A...A... AWESOME!" Po shouted as he shot up from the table. I put my index finger on my lips and say "shhhh", Po then calmed down and sit back on his chair.
"It was a piece of cake." I said proudly. "For me to learn the Hadoken would take up more than three years to learn it, but for Tigress, it took her less than two month to fully learn the Hadoken." After dinner, we all head back to the bunkhouse and rest for the night.
Next Day
My eyes were slowly opening themselves as I slowly stood up and sit on my bed. My mouth felt a uncomfortable bitter taste as how dry it is, and damm, I need a good'ol glass of water. I stood out of my bed and put on the rest of my clothes and exits my room. After brushing my teeth and earring breakfast and etc, we were training as usual. But there was one thing as Po kept asking me to teach him the Hadoken, I gladly agreed and tried teaching him in the Training Courtyard. To my surprise he failed in every single attempt to AT LEAST gather Ki or Chi. He's literally breathing heavily due to his failed attempts. I then approached the panda.
"Hey Po." I called him.
"*breath* *breath* *breath* *breath* Y-Yeah? *breath* How... *breath* well did... *breath* I do?" He spoke, breathing heavily.
"How long have you been doing Kung Fu?" I asked.
"I've become the Dragon Warrior like almost a year ago." He began counting on his paws. "Yeah, I've been doing Kung Fu for almost a year ago."
"Ok, since you know Kung Fu, have you ever tried doing anything that's related to Chi?" I asked. It took him a while to think of a answer.
"No, but I've do heard of Inner Peace." He said. I then got my interested.
"What's this "Inner Peace", care to explain?" I motioned my hand.
"They say when someone obtain Inner Peace, the user is so calm, that he can evade or counter any attacks with extreme ease even with their eyes closed." Po explained.
"Holy shit... is there anyone you know who can use Inner Peace?" I asked.
"I know only one, master Oogway." He said. My eyes widen a bit in surprise.
"Tell me more about master Oogway would'ya." I asked. Po then clears his throat before explaining.
"Master Oogway was an elderly tortoise and the previous and the first grandmaster of the Jade Palace. He is credited as the founder of the Valley Of Peace, the creator of Kung Fu." Po began. "Highly venerated for his wisdom, knowledge, and experience, Oogway was considered by many to be a sage. He was respected by Shifu, the Furious Five and the entire Valley Of Peace, and all of China. He was known as the greatest Kung Fu master in history, having no other reputation surpass his." Po explained with narrative tone that sounded from a fantasy fairytale story.
"Amazing..." I uttered as I'm in awestruck, that I never knew this old tortoise can be something that everyone admires. I soon told Po to head back to the Training Hall and train with the rest as I want to train alone here and don't wanted to be disturbed. Po nodded and goes back to Training Hall to train with the others as the sound of the double wooden door shut fully. I prepared myself, maybe for the most dangerous training. I stand still with closes my eyes, and slowly trying to tap into the Satsui No Hado carefully.
'Alright, remember, don't lose control, you got this Lukas!' I thought to myself. I reopen my eyes and saw a red and black smokey aura has covered my both fist. I began by doing a few session of punches and... Jesus Christ! I punch fast as fuck! I tried my kicks as well and it also worked. Then I tried this, I waved my arms around and cupped my hands together as I'm slowly gathering Ki for this Hadoken. But once the Hadoken has fully formed, the beautiful blue color of it turned into raging purple, like last time. 'Alright, focus... focus... focus... focus.' I thought assuredly to myself as sweat began forming on my forehead. The weight of this Hadoken is far heavier than my normal Hadoken, but I must keep going. I thrust my palms as the purple Hadoken launched from my cupped hands, the purple energy blast hits on of the wooden dummy, instead of blowing it to a hundred piece, it incinerates it into bits, causing a very, very loud explosion. I noticed the bits of that wooden dummy I blow has caught on fire. The bits eventually landed on the other dummies, slowly setting the other wooden dummies on fire.
"Oh shit!" I exclaimed as I run toward the other dummies that is on fire. I kicked all of them down to the ground and stomping out the fire. Once every fire has been extinguished by my stomps. Shifu has bursted open the double wooden open and run quickly as he approached me.
"What happened here Lukas?!" He asked with a nearly raised voice. He peaked behind me and saw the "mess" I've made. "Would you kindly explaining "this" to me." He extended his paw out at the small disaster I've made. I then nervously laughed.
"Ehehehehe... sorry, I believe I may have went overboard." I sheepishly answered. He then released a sign.
"Indeed you have. And what are you doing out here all by yourself?" He noticed.
"I kinda felt I want to train... alone?" I replied with my shoulder shrugged as my both hand raised up a bit.
"That's strange of you, you've never liked training alone, wouldn't you." He stated with a raised eyebrow.
"I know, but just don't worry about me." I assured.
"You sure your alright, I also sensed another disturbing force nearby too." He uttered at the last part of his sentence. My eyes widens up and my forehead began to sweat. "Are you alright Lukas?" He turned his gaze back at me.
"Yeah, umm, yeah, I'm fine, I also do sensed this "disturbing" force of what you call, but maybe it's your imagination or something." I nervously smiled. He looked at me in the eyes sternly. He then released a sign.
"Alright then, come, let's go back to the Training Hall." He said. I nodded. We both leave the Training Courtyard and head to the Training Hall. Everyone's eyes has locked on me.
"Where have you been Lukas?" Crane asked.
"Training all by myself, but master Shifu advised me that it's better for me to train with you guys here." I replied. Po then approached me.
"Hey Lukas! Wouldn't you mind sparring with me?" Po requested. Come to think of it, it's been a quite a while since I ever spar with Po, I gladly and immediately accepted his request.
"Sure bud." I accepted his request. We both head to the Palace Arena, along with the others as they're interested in the match of me versus Po than doing they're training. Once we both set our feet on the large stone square, everyone sits back and enjoy this little 'show' of ours.
"Man, I've been waiting for this!" Po spoke enthusiastically. I released a light chuckle.
"Me too, and thanks for reminding me, I was gonna ask you to have a match with me, if I still remembers." I said. "And there's one more thing I gotta tell you before we can get started." I motioned my hand as it may displayed something that's related to a "time-out" handsign or gesture.
"Yeah? What is it?" Po asked, softening his fighting stance.
"Remember that time where you and me first fought in the Hall Of Warriors?" I asked. Po ears then perked up.
"Oh yeah! Man, that fight was awesome!" He exclaimed as he remembered.
"Well... I was kinda... holding back against." I sheepishly said. The Furious Five facial expression seemed surprised and shocked.
"Is it true? Lukas was holding back when he fought Po back then at the Hall Warriors?" Mantis uttered.
"He must be bluffing, is he really that strong?" Crane said sarcastically as he's unconvinced.
"We'll see for sure." Viper said while averting her gave back to me and Po.
"W-what! You were holding back against me?" Po questioned loudly.
"Sorry about that Po, but this time..." I sternly spoke while cracking my both knuckles. "This time... I won't hold back like last time." I said with a serious, yet competitive tone.
"That's more like it, bring it on!" Po said excitedly as he was pleased to hear that I won't hold back and fight him seriously this time.
"HHHAAAAAA! HERE I COME!" I shouted, sprinting towards Po, who readied his defenses. I leaped up and gave Po a diving punch, he blocked and threw a punch at me, as I'm fighting at my full strength, I reacted quickly enough as I countered his punch with another punch of mine and gave him a roundhouse kick in the face, sending him back for a couple of feet away and fell the ground. I then released an annoyed grunt. "PO!" I called him. He then stood up and gazed to me.
"Y-yeah?" He asked.
"Fight me with your full strength, I told you I won't go easy on you." I spoke sternly.
"But what happens if I hurt you badly?" He uttered while fighting his paws.
"Don't worry about me, I've been through worse." I assured. Po opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. "If your the Dragon Warrior, THEN COME AT ME AND PROVE IT TO ME AT FRONT OF MY FACE!" I yelled. Po just stood there silent as he's head is lowered. I kinda feel bad for saying that, but it's the only way to get him fighting seriously. Soon he lifted his head up and nodded.
"Your right... I must fight with my fullest extended!" He responded with his fist clenched and raised in the air.
"Now your talking, big guy!" I spoke proudly. Po lunges forward at me and send a punch at my abdomen, I quickly blocked, but holy shit, the amount of force of that punch he gave almost matches up as Tigress's heavy punch? Shit... better watch out. As he lashes out a series of punches that he launches at me, but I quickly evaded them. He surprised me with a knee strike in my stomach, sending me flying back to the wall. I slowly stood up and leaped high in the air and charges a Hadoken with two hand. Po was taken by surprised as he looked at the bright blue energy blast that I'm currently charging. I shout "Hadoken!" as I thrusted my palm, releasing the energy blast at Po. The speed of my energy blast was quick as hell. Instead of trying the dodge the energy blast, Po just... holy moly! As the Hadoken has made contacted with him, Po literally blocked it with his right forearm as the energy blast explodes on him.
"Don't think that move can work on me!" Po shouted before leaping up to me while I'm in midair and gave me a high kick on the left side of my torso, which made me crash down to the ground. Oh fuck! My whole body is sore. I ... I think I've underestimated Po, just like the last time when we both sparred in the Training Hall before traveling to search and sabotage Tang Kuan's base. After several seconds of groaning in pain, I've managed to get up from the wooden floor. I tried walking but it hurts the muscles in my legs!
"Aaagghh!" I yelled in pain. Po then became worried and come a little closer to me.
"Oh my gosh! Are you alright, did I hurt you badly?" I merely chuckled which made Po step back as he raised his defense posture,
"This fight ain't over yet." I said lowly. I suck up the pain in my legs before dashing forward to Po and did a heavy palm strike which struck him in the chest. As the heavy palm strike has successfully struck on him and eventually stunned him. I began my devastating combo which I start by doing a double standing high kick as one high kick and another one followed up with a side punch with a straight punch. Later before he could recover, a powerful, singular hit of the Tatsumaki Senpukyaku and finish it with a Shoryuken as blue flame has emitted from my left fist and punches Po in the chin, lifting him skyward. Once I landed down safely while Po felled from the sky. Shit... I'm exhausted, but suddenly, Po still managed to get up after withstanding my most devastating combo. "Your the first person who ever survived my one of my most devastating combo." I complimented.
"*heavy breaths* Thanks... for the... *heavy breath* compliment." He breathed out heavily. I then gotten impatient and tried to finish the match for good. I sprinted at Po with my maximum speed and gathering Ki energy in my fist. Po just stood there... strangely, with his eyes closed and being very calm, I didn't care and proceeded forward. I threw my fist in his face, and he... no way. He catches my wrist to prevent my Ki-infused fist from smashing his face. Po then squeezed my wrist. Making me cried out painfully.
"Aaagghhh! Let go of me!" I shouted. I threw my other fist at him. He let's go of my wrist and perform a speeding roundhouse kick on my right side of my abdomen. Sending me crashing through multiple wooden dummies. I tried to resist the urge to passed out, but it was all in vain as my eyes has closed itself while hearing disoriented voices along with some multiple pair of fast fainting footsteps coming towards me.
Few Hours Later
I groaned as my eyes were slowly opening. It appears that I'm in my room, with all the other guys in here. They've all signed in relief once I've gained conscious.
"Lukas! Are you okay?" I heard Viper as she slither towards me as she placed her tail on my right shoulder.
"Perfectly fine." I sarcastically replied while hissing in pain as I grasped the right side of my abdomen. Which made everyone chuckle lightly. "What happened to me anyway?" I asked.
"You were passed out after you received that roundhouse kick from Po." Monkey answered.
"Oh yeah... gotta give that guy some credit for defeating me." I said.
Everyone raised an eyebrow in confusion and say "huh?".
"The reason, is that he beat me fair and square, but most importantly, he did his best." Soon, I saw Po entered my room.
"Hey..." He spoke in a hush tone.
"Oh hey Po!" I greeted him with my usual tone while holding back the pain from right side of my abdomen.
"I'm... I'm sorry for what happened." He apologized as he's scratching the back of his neck.
"No, no, no. I brought this up to myself, it's fine." I assured.
"Thanks." Po nodded. "So how is he?" Po asked Viper.
"Your roundhouse kick has send him crashing throughout multiple wooden dummies and he eventually passed out." Viper explained. Po was about to open his mouths and attempt to apologize again, but I cut him off.
"I told you, it's fine, really!" I insisted. After few moments, me and the others exited my room and head to the kitchen. After all of us had dinner, we all head back to the bunkhouse and sleep. According to Viper's medical knowledge, the right side of my abdomen is estimated to make a full recover in at least four days. Perfect, I thought it might take much longer for the right side of my abdomen to recover as I just don't want to be in bad shape during at the Winter Feast event.
Author Note : So that's it everyone, hope you all enjoyed this chapter as always. Now with me finished the double upload, I can now go back on uploading regularly as usual. Oh wait look! It's looks like I've got two hints for you guys.
First Hint : The Winter Feast/Festival event is gonna happend around the 30s chapters.
Second Hint : I'll just fill up the 20s chapters by making another interesting side mission, maybe introducing at least three new OC's I've made like few weeks ago and one of them is a gonna be a secondary antagonist, while the rest are going be minor/supporting characters for now.
And now with that's over, just keep your eyes peeled for some story developments in the future. As always, any feedbacks, reviews, questions and constructive criticisms would be much appreciated!