The poem is based off and written to fit the tune to the symphonic number "Where Eagles Soar," a very strong triumphant song, and very fitting.
The Next Dragon Warrior
Chapter 29
"Packing"
Where Eagles Soar
I've always had dreams
To be up high
Like never before
That maybe one day I will fly
Fly where eagles soar
To feel the suns warmth
Gliding over land and sea
And hear the oceans roar
That's the day when I will be
Be where eagles soar
What lies ahead won't be easy
This journey will have much strife
There will be those who say I'm crazy
But they don't rule my life
Now I'm here
Racing through the sky
As I triumph over this war
I can finally say that I can fly
Fly where eagles soar
Jo Dakota Crevan
or
Xanidor Thearr Grentow
Now that's a signature!
I heard footsteps coming up the stairs so I slipped the newly finished poem into my folder. Then I placed the folder with the rest of the stuff I was packing into my other bag. I needed an extra bag for this leaving.
My foster parents entered my room.
"You're almost done packing?" my dad asked.
"Just about." I said.
My mom said "Have we mentioned lately we're going to miss you?"
"Maybe a few hundred times." I said jokingly. "It's not like I'm moving out of the Valley. I'm gonna come by all the time."
I had already promised Dew and Liu that I'd come down the next week and tell them how my first week of Palace training had gone.
"Still, we're going to miss you a lot." she said
"I'm going to miss you both too."
"When do you need to leave?" My dad said.
"Po said he'd come by around ten-o-clock to take me to the Palace."
"Well, we'll be downstairs then."
As they left I turned back to my bags, both filled with the essentials I'd need. Next to them was my rolled up poster of Po. Not much sense in keeping it since I have the real thing, but I can't part with it after we've been through so much. Once I'd double checked that everything was packed. I stared out my open window watching for Po down the sunlit street. About 10 minutes later I saw him making his way up the street in his steady stride.
He came up to the front door and knocked on it. I didn't run down the stairs to get it though. I waited a few seconds to let my parents get aquatinted with my hero.
They both opened the door and came to face Po taking up most of the doorway.
"Oh hey there," Po said almost neighborly. "I'm here to pick up Jo."
"So, you're Po," my mom started. "It's only been a 3 days and we've already heard so much about you."
"All good stuff I hope." said Po.
"Oh Yes, Jo's just finishing packing upstairs. Come in for a second, won't you."
"Sure thing." Po walked in and my parents gestured to him the sitting area on the right side of the shop. As Po sat down he said "So I guess you both are Jo's parents."
They both nodded.
"I guess the events with Jo have been a lot to take in."
My dad said. "Well when we told Jo about the camp a few months ago we knew he'd enjoy it, but we never would have anticipated something this big."
"Master Shifu didn't even expect something like this when he came up with the idea for the camp. He expected something, but not this something"
I picked up both of my bags and descended the stairs entering the living room.
Po looked up. "Hey Jo!"
"Howz it goin' Po?"
"Pretty well. You ready to go?"
"I'm all set." I said stepping off the final steps.
I said a few more goodbyes to my parents and me and Po were walking down the street.
"Howz the last few days been that I haven't seen you?"
"Aces." I said.
A few people in the street stopped and watched as I was walking down the street with Po. Some were looking out their windows. I wondered if he was noticing.
Po pulled his shoulders back. "Think you can get used to this, pal?"
I laughed a little. "Might take a little while, but probably."
"Well, you're probably the only kid who's seen the color of Tai Lung's eyes and lived. Guess I should start calling you 'Lil' Master Xanidor'"
"My parents asked a similar question." I said. "They want to know if I want to start being called 'Xanidor'."
"And?" Po asked.
I shrugged. "I don't know. Xanidor just doesn't feel like my real name to me yet. Right now it feels the same way a nickname does. I guess over time it'll feel more natural that it's my name. It'll just take some getting used to. For now, I'm 'Jo'"
Po said "Whatever you say, Xanidor."
I smiled a laugh up at him.
Po went on. "Well, you'll be getting your own room at the bunkhouse now, but if you ever need anything or you just want to sleep over for old time's sake, my rooms always open."
"I don't know..." I said jokingly cautious. "Do you still snore?"
Po looked shocked. "When have I snored?"
"Never," I said smiling. "I was just messing with you."
"Well, you better stop by my room sometime." Po said in a mock-threat voice. "Because if you don't… Well… I know where you live."
"Right down the hallway?"
We both laughed more.
Looking up at Jade Mountain, still a distance away, Jade Palace looked brighter and more polished than ever in the midsummer sunlight.
"Won't lie. This is going to be a tough experience for what lies ahead." Po said. "It's a different kind of training. Training at the Jade Palace will get harder over time, but it'll also get easier."
I said "Even after me and Shifu talked, I mean, I'm still nervous."
"Don't be." Po said light-heartedly "I'm gonna be right there with you. And so will Master Shifu and the Five. We've all got your back. We all want you to succeed with us."
"Any other words of advice?"
"All I can tell you is prepare."
"Prepare for what?" I asked.
Po thought for a second. "Prepare for…." He was racking his brain for the right word.
He smiled broadly…
That's the word
…And turned to me.
"Awesomeness."
THE END
There you go people! The end but a new beginning!
I'd like to thank all my friends on this site. Hiddenstranger, Skyyler, Sindalstar, Thelastgreatrocker, I'm-on-a-Roll, Animation Universe 2005, BlackRaider
And any one else who read my story!
