Come Wake Me Up, a kung fu panda fanfic

G'day all! This is a story I've uploaded previously. Some of you might remember it. I took it down, but I don't understand why we can use characters that aren't ours, yet not song lyrics. As long as it is acknowledged where it is from, I see no issues. I guess some don't like it when you use song lyrics. Anyway, this was originally my first song-fic, but since taking it down, I've gone over it and fixed it up here and there.

The song used is "Come Wake Me Up", written by Rascal Flatts, who I love. It's one of my favourite songs by them.
If you would like to listen to the song, the YouTube link is: watch?v=ighEKw6RDBQ

I've decided to re-upload this story, just to give you guys something to read from me while the next chapter for Eye of the Tiger is still in progress (it is coming soon.. I promise). I have provided an update on my profile page, but just so you don't have to go there, I am revising the previous chapters, so there is no release date for Chapter 14. It is coming soon, I promise.

Disclaimer 1: The lyrics "Come Wake Me Up" are written and recorded Rascal Flatts
Disclaimer 2: The characters used are property of DREAMWORKS.

Without further adieu,

Please Read, Review and Enjoy!

Come Wake Me Up

The day started like any ordinary day in the Jade Palace. After the morning gong, we came out of our rooms to greet Master Shifu before heading to the kitchen to enjoy Po's noodle soup. After breakfast, we headed to the training hall to begin our morning training. As usual, Po paired up with me. I never questioned why Po always wanted to spar with me, even though I would often whoop his backside. He appeared to enjoy the challenge that I presented. He never gave up on me, and I admired that. During this morning, as we were sparring, Zeng came crashing through the training hall doors. "MASTERS! BANDITS!… IN THE VALLEY!"

Upon hearing this, we bolted down the thousand steps without a second thought about the dangers we were facing. For us, it was just a regular drill. When we arrived in the valley, we found the bandits who were causing the trouble. They were a group of rogue wolf bandits, much like those from Gongman City, who were currently raiding some shops in the village. They saw us and stopped. "Well, well. Look what we have here, boys. If it isn't the Dragon Warrior and the Furious Five. We're just taking some things we need, so if you'll leave us, we'll leave you unharmed."

Po's fist clenched into a tight ball. "The only thing you'll be leaving with is a broken nose."

The wolf leader snarled. "GET THEM!"

The group of wolves charged at us, outnumbering us five to one. Despite the number of wolves, their fighting skills weren't challenging, which made it easy to claw my way through them. While I was taking down the wolves that had attacked me, I monitored the leader, who had charged at Po. After fifteen minutes of fighting, we had induced all the wolves, apart from the leader, who was still fighting Po. In this time, Master Shifu had returned with some rhino guards, and they began taking away the wolves. While they did that, I went over to help Po fight the leader. Po turned to me. "Don't worry, Tigress. I can handle this guy. You and the others help the guards with the other wolves."

Unfortunately, Po had taken his eyes off the wolf, giving the wolf the opportunity to deliver a powerful strike into Po. I saw the strike coming, as if it were happening in slow motion, yet I couldn't protect Po. The hit sent Po flying backwards, causing him to slam into a wall before he collapsed on the ground, motionless. "PO!" I, and the others, rushed over to Po's side.

"Get the medics, immediately!" Master Shifu said as he came rushing over.

Crane and Viper hurried off to get the medics while Mantis was trying to locate Po's pulse. "He's still got a pulse-"

"HAHA! CHEW ON THAT FATTY!"

I turned my head and glared at the wolf as anger built up inside of me. I stood up and faced the leader. "You're gonna pay for that."

The wolf leader laughed. "Aww… did I upset the little kitten?"

I growled and dashed towards him quicker than he could react, delivering a kick to his stomach. Before he could recompose himself, I charged at him again, tossing him into the air before landing another powerful kick to his head, causing him to go flying backwards into a wall, knocking him out. The anger inside of me wanted him to be nothing but dead. Before I could launch myself and finish him, someone grabbed my paw. I looked down, incensed at whoever was attempting to stop me, but the anger vanished when I saw it was Master Shifu. "You've done your job, Tigress. The guards will deal with him. We need to get Po to the medical room."

My attention flew back to Po, who was now surrounded by several medical personal. I rushed back over. "We need to get him to the emergency room immediately. He may be bleeding within the brain, and if we don't treat him, he will die," a nurse said, causing me to freeze. No… we can't lose Po. I can't lose Po. Several rhino guards helped transport Po to the medical centre. When we arrived, the nurses took Po into an emergency room, while we waited outside the room until someone came out and informed us of Po's condition. I had never felt this anxious in my life. I was afraid for Po's life.

"I have to help the guards with the bandits. Please make sure you return to the palace before sunset," Master Shifu said. We bowed to Master Shifu before he left.

As time went on, I was pacing back and forth, waiting for news. Anything. Just something. I was angered by what had happened. Why did I not prevent this from happening? I saw the wolf move to strike Po, yet I did nothing. I couldn't do anything. Only watch as Po got struck. If I hadn't gone over to Po, he wouldn't be here. Po was dealing with the bandit fine on his own before I distracted him. "Tigress! Are you okay?" Viper asked, snapping me out of my pacing thoughts.

I glanced at Viper. "Do I look okay?" I resumed pacing back and forth. "Po is in there, potentially dying, and you're asking if I'm okay?"

"I know this is hard on you. It's hard on all of us."

Moments later, a nurse came out of the room Po was in and walked over to us. "How is Po?" Crane asked.

"He's suffered a severe head blow, which has caused bleeding within his skull. The bleeding has caused significant swelling on the brain. We have done what we can to help relieve this pressure, but…"

"But what?!" I asked.

The nurse sighed. "These injuries often result… in death. We're doing everything in our control, but at this stage, it is an hour-by-hour progress. He'll remain in a coma for many weeks, possibly months. We will monitor him constantly, but all I can say is… prepare for the worse." I had to leave. Not because I wished to. I wanted to be by Po's side, but if I stayed any longer, I would've broken down. I had to get to the one place that calms me down.

As I sat beside the peach tree, thinking over the days' events, I couldn't help but feel angered. We should not be in this situation. I was angry at myself for not only distracting Po, but failing to protect him. While I was angered at what had happened, I was also afraid of what may come. Afraid that Po may never come back to us… to me. If he never wakes up, I'll have to live with the regret that I never revealed my true feelings for him. I am praying to Master Oogway that Po recovers. I won't be able to live without him.

The next few weeks passed by in a blur. It was a very depressing mood in and around the valley. I visited Po every afternoon, but his condition never changed. While he was still alive, he hadn't come out of his coma. I would talk to Po until I had to go. Most times, I didn't want to leave, but I had to. Most days, Mr Ping would visit Po at the same time I was there. I vowed to Po that I would look after Mr Ping, as he was struggling to comprehend the situation, too.

One afternoon, I was sitting beside Po, telling him about how Crane got stuck in a fence when he chased Monkey and Mantis after they painted his wings. It displeased Master Shifu. And so, as punishment, I now have sparring partners until Crane's wings return to their usual colour. As I was telling this, Po's body began to tremble. I called for the nurses, who came rushing in and, upon seeing Po's condition, they ordered me to leave the room, which I hesitated to do. I waited in the waiting room, pacing back and forth for hours before the nurses came out, looking worried.

"What's happening? Is Po Okay?"

The nurses glanced at each other. "You might want to sit down for this, Master Tigress."

I looked at them, worried, before taking a seat. "Tell me what's going on!"

The nurses seemed hesitant before breaking the news. "Po has suffered a stroke."

"How? I thought you were monitoring him?"

"We have been monitoring him. However, since we last checked on Po, a new blood clot formed within his brain. What you saw when Po stirred was his body seizuring."

I didn't know what to think. There was a question burning on my tongue, but I was too scared to ask. I feared his time was coming to an end. After sitting there silently for a few moments, I plucked up the courage to ask. "Is Po dying?"

"While he still has a pulse, his body is beginning to shut down. We think he only has a few hours to live. We're sorry, Master Tigress. If you wish to see him, you may go in."

The nurses left me sitting there, processing everything. This couldn't be the end, but if it is, I need to take this opportunity to say my goodbyes to Po. I picked myself up and walked into Po's room. The state Po was in broke my heart. He looked weak. His usual glow was gone. He looked lifeless. I knelt beside Po and took his paw before glancing at the two nurses in the room. "Could I have a moment, please?" The nurses nodded their heads and left the room.

I turned my head back to Po and squeezed his paw tighter. "Po… I didn't think this would be how you'd leave us. I never thought this day would come. I know you can still hear me, so I want you to listen to every word." I took a deep breath. "You're the bravest, most loving, and caring person I have ever known. This world will never be the same without you. I will never be the same without you. I don't know what I'll do without you. You always find a way to bring a smile to me. To pick me up when I'm down. You've changed our lives in a way we never imagined when you first landed in our lives. I don't understand how you did it, but I'll be forever thankful for what you brought to us… and what you brought to me."

"You taught me how to laugh, how to smile, how to be a friend… and how to love. I built a wall so high around my heart, I thought I'd never fall, but you brought my wall down. You completely stole my heart, and now you won't let go. I never even had a chance. I hope that Master Oogway can somehow bring you back because I don't know how I'll live without you. Whether you're right by my side, or whether you and I are a million miles apart, I will always feel you in my heart." I placed Po's paw above my heart. "Before you leave me, promise me one thing. Promise me that you and Master Oogway will guide us, guide me, to keep our valley safe. You fell into my life, literally, and in the end, I fell for you… because of your love."

As I finished my eulogy, I wiped a few tears away that had managed to break free while I stood. After taking in a deep breath, I looked back down at Po. And for the first time since he had been in the coma; he had a smile on his face. I leaned down and placed a kiss on his forehead. "I'll see you on the other side," I whispered into Po's ear before gently resting his paw on his stomach.

The sun was setting, bringing an end to a day that has changed our lives forever. Today, we lost someone extraordinary. I lost someone special. I sat by the peach tree and thought about what had happened. It can't be true. Please let it be a dream. Please bring him back to me. I just wanted to wake up to see his smile again. To hear his voice and laughter. As I grieved through these thoughts, a gentle breeze blew across my body, and before I knew it, I sang my thoughts.

I can usually drink you right off my mind
But I miss you tonight
I can normally push you right out of my heart
But I'm too tired to fight

Yeah, the whole thing begins
And I let you sink into my veins
And I feel the pain like it's new
Everything that we were
Everything that you said
Everything that I did and that I couldn't do
Plays through tonight

Tonight your memory burns like a fire
With everyone, it grows higher and higher
I can't get over it; I just can't put out this love
I just sit in these flames and pray that you'll come back
Close my eyes tightly, hold on and hope that I'm dreaming
Come wake me up

Turn the TV up loud just to drown out your voice
But I can't forget
Now I'm all out of ideas
And baby, I'm down to my last string of hope.

Yeah, you're probably asleep deep inside of your dreams
While I'm sitting here crying and trying to see
Yeah, wherever you are, baby, now I am sure you've moved on
And aren't thinking twice about me and you tonight

I know that you're movin' on
I know I should give you up
But I keep hopin' that you trip and fall back in love
Time's not healing anything
Baby, this pain is worse than it ever was

I know that you can't hear me, but baby, I need you to save me tonight

For the first time in a long time, I buried my head in my knees and cried. All those emotions that I've been holding back, not wanting to let out, that have been building up inside of me. Tonight, the pressure became too much. I never got a chance to show how I felt, and now I never will. After what felt like an eternity, I gradually composed myself. All the tears that I had kept inside of me for so long seemed to have run dry. I looked over the Valley of Peace as the last rays of the sun vanished below the distant mountains. As I sat there mourning, the rustle of leaves warned me that someone was behind me. I presumed it was Master Shifu. "Please give me time, master. I need time to heal."

There was silence, making me curious whether there was someone behind me or if I were hallucinating. "I can tell you you're not dreaming."

The voice caused me to jump up and spin around, startled. It was not a voice I was expecting to hear. My jaw dropped open as I looked in disbelief at the figure that stood before me. It couldn't be possible. "Po?"

Po smiled. "Yep! The real thing!" I stared at Po, causing him to look uneasy. "I know words might be hard to find at the moment, but at least come give this panda a hug." In a flash, I tackled Po onto the ground, burying my head into his shoulder, and cried. Po wrapped his arms around me, stroking the back of my neck. "Hey, hey! It's alright."

I chuffed in-between the sobs. After several minutes of nothing but consoling, I got off Po and helped him up. I looked at Po, still stunned that he was standing here. Wanting to be back in his arms, I re-embraced Po, who held me tightly. "I thought you were dead."

Po resumed stroking the back of my neck. "It's gonna take a lot more than that to get rid of me." I glanced up at Po before nuzzling my head back into his shoulder. "I don't wanna ruin the moment, but I heard what you told me when I was in the coma."

I looked at Po, lowering my ears from embarrassment. "Po-"

Po placed his fingers on my lips, stopping me from talking, before he removed them. "The reason I'm alive is because of your love."

As the sky grew darker, Po and Tigress united for the first time, signifying the love they held for each other. A gentle breeze blew across them, picking up many peach tree petals with it. The petals danced and swirled around, forming a yin-yang on the ground where the panda and tiger stood. As the couple parted, Po looked down and noticed the petals on the ground. "I guess Master Oogway approves." As Po finished saying this, a peach fell on his head. "Oww!"

Tigress chuckled, as Po rubbed his head, before Tigress buried her head into the scruff of Po's neck. "Thank you, master."

A/N: Well there we have it! Who doesn't love an angst story with a happy ending? I actually forgot how angsty I made this story.

Anyway, that's all from me this week. As I said at the start, I plan on releasing chapter 14 soon, but it's no guarantee. It depends on how long I make it. I think you'll enjoy it though because I'm loving writing this chapter.

Until next time, take care and stay safe!

Adios!