Three years had passed since Harry arrived at the Jade Palace and began his kung fu training with Master Crane and the other Furious Five. He got used very quickly to his new life of daily kung fu training and waking up early, unlike his old life with his relatives, this one was much more enjoyable.
He was enjoying his kung fu training with his master and the others and respecting everyone in the Jade Palace including the servants. He was taking his kung fu lessons seriously, being determinate not to disappoint his master, remembering the promise he made three years before. He enjoyed reading the ancient texts, since he found those amazing. Tigress was always near him making sure he reads from top to bottom.
Upon all the masters Tigress was the strictest of them all, she was rather the most strict teacher he could ever meet, she was giving hard punishments for messing up and messing around: lifting heavy rocks 25 times, cleaning the entire Hall of Warriors, climbing up and down half the stairs of the Jade Palace 20 or 30 times, once he wanted to fly half the way up at the last 3 rounds, he managed the first one, at the second one he was caught and received 9 more as punishment for cheating. But he had to admit that she was a good teacher even if she was giving the impression that she doesn't like him too much.
It was now early morning; Harry was practicing with a bow staff in the training grounds with his Master. During practice Crane had been trying to take him down with powerful blows that were always deflected by his student.
"It seems that you managed to improve your skills, Harry." Crane said smiling before trying to give him a blow that was avoided.
"I learned from the best master and I practiced everyday." He said trying to give a blow that was deflected.
"I always admired your ambition to learn and your devotion." Crane said making him smile at him.
"But." Crane said before quickly hitting his legs and making Harry fall to the ground and placed his bow at the young crane's chest.
"You must never leave your guard down no matter what someone is saying or doing because it could be an enemy, remember that in a real battle or another situation it could be the difference between success and failure." Crane said.
"Yes master, I will remember that." Harry said before adding. "But if you see you can't win." He began while holding tight the bow in his right wing. "Cheat." And he hit the legs of his master to make him fall to the ground, having his wing at the older crane's chest.
"Trickery, well thought." Crane started before adding "But you must know that." And he used his bow staff again, made Harry to fell to the ground again and hold his wings and said "The opponent can do the same."
"But still, very good thinking it will be very useful in a real combat." He said before helping him to get up.
"Thanks." He said.
"I noticed for a long time that you are very good at using trickery Harry." Crane said.
"I think cunning and trickery is something inherited master, maybe from my father." Harry said.
"Indeed, but you must know, Harry, that this are not seen with good eyes, but even a warrior must use them in battle if it is for a good cause." Crane said with a smile.
"Now take a break, I will call you later to practice on targets." Crane said.
"Yes master." Harry said making a bow and wanted to leave, after a minute he remembered something that he read, he turned around and asked.
"Um, master can I ask you a question?"
"Of course, go ahead." Crane said.
"Two days ago I read in an ancient text about the Dragon Warrior, I wanted to ask what the Dragon Warrior is." Harry said.
"The Dragon Warrior is a legendary prodigy who is described as one that can understand the secrets of kung fu behind the descriptions in the Dragon Scroll; that is in the mouth of the dragon that is situated under the Moon Pool in the Hall of the Warriors. It is said that by reading the scroll the Dragon Warrior will be granted limitless powers of kung fu, but only if you achieve the highest level of kung fu and no one except the Dragon Warrior is allowed to read the scroll. But to become the Dragon Warrior you need to be tested first and only Grand Master Oogway can decide who the Dragon Warrior is." Crane explained, making Harry to wonder.
"Wow, did anyone try?" he asked.
"Manny tried, one person in particular." Crane said.
"Who?" Harry asked.
"We are actually not supposed to talk about this." Crane said making his student a bit confused.
"Why?"
"I can't tell." Crane said with a sad tone.
"But master I only want to know what happened." Harry said looking at him; Crane knew that he shouldn't talk about it but while looking in his eyes he thought that it shouldn't be a problem telling only to him.
"All right, but promise you will not tell anyone." Crane said.
"I promise master." Harry said with his right wing at his chest. Crane looked around to make sure no one is near.
"His name was Tai Lung, master Shifu found him at the footsteps of the Jade Palace when he was a cub, he took him under his wing, but for him he wasn't only a student, he was like a son. When he began to show great kung fu skills he began to train him and became very proud of him. But master Shifu's pride began to be excessive and Tai Lung's heart began to be filled with darkness, ambition and selfishness and he began to think that he is destined to be the Dragon Warrior. But master Oogway realized from the beginning that he was filled with darkness when he was presented to receive the scroll so he refused to handle the scroll to him. Outraged, he began a rampage throughout the Valley of Peace before trying to take the scroll by force. Shifu had to fight him but he couldn't, Oogway used the nerve attack technique that paralyzed him temporarily, he was sent to Chorh-Gom Prison for the rest of his life, for many it was a relief but for master Shifu who raised him it was the opposite, Shifu loved him like his own son, since then he was never the same, he never loved anyone as much."
The story made Harry feel sorry for master Shifu, he didn't know that Tai Lung was his adoptive son and that he loved him a lot, he knew now why he never smiles or the fact that he is very strict as well.
"I am sorry for what master Shifu had to do." Harry said and Crane placed his wing on his shoulder.
"I know you do, but we can't change what happened, the best way is to try to move on." He said before asking. "Do you have any other questions?"
"Well I also read about the Celestial Phoenix that is much higher then the Dragon Warrior how is that title?" Harry asked.
"The Celestial Phoenix is a fable kung fu title, it is said that the one who obtains it poses a much higher kung fu understanding then the Dragon Warrior it is also said that your kung fu training will be complete, but to obtain it you will have to pass the test of the three needles." Crane said.
"How you pass the test?" Harry asked.
"To pass it, you must take tree needles and toss them in the air and kick them with such precision that one needle will pass through the eye of the second needle and hit the third needle with such precision that the first needle will go straight down and will split the third one." Crane explained making his student to wonder.
"Did anyone manage to pass it?" Harry asked.
"No, no one managed to pass it, it's impossible." Crane said taking three needles from a nearby table and turned to his student.
"Watch." He tossed the needles in the air and he burst, he kicked the needles with his skinny legs, but all the three needles went in the column, Crane flew there and took them and tried again, this time the first needle passed the second one and went to the ground and the third one went in the column again. Crane then went to get them and put them on the table.
"See, this test is completely impossible." Crane said.
"Yeah you should use magic for such a thing." Harry said.
"Using magic to achieve something will mean cheating, Harry, it is not allowed in kung fu especially using a magic object. And that's why we have to train all the time, without constant training and hard work we will not manage to advance further or to improve and we will no longer manage to fight our opponents." Crane said.
"I understand master." Harry said respectfully.
"I know you do, if you want to ask me more you can, don't hesitate." Crane said with a smile, he knew very well that his student wants only to know as much as he could learn; he always enjoyed his lessons.
"Actually, master I promised that I will water the Peachtree of Heavenly Wisdom." Harry said.
"To whom you promised? If it was to master Shifu you better go now." Crane said.
"Actually I promised to Tigress." Harry said a bit awkward, his master knew that the relationship between Tigress and Harry wasn't so good, aside from master Shifu, Tigress was very strict especially towards him, the punishments he received from her were always harsh when he didn't do his work or learned his lessons received from her.
"Oh then you better go quickly." Crane said and Harry bowed to him before he flew towards the peach tree, after he arrived he took a bucket full of water and began to water the peach tree but in that moment.
"I thought when you will arrive Harry." Tigress said from behind making him turn around and got stressed.
"I have been waiting for you for five minutes. Where have you've been?" She said with a harsh tone.
"Sorry master Tigress, I was talking with my master and I lost track of time." Harry said bowing with a stressed tone.
"You talked with him about what?" Tigress asked.
"About my lessons and about what I have read in the ancient texts of kung fu."
"Very well then, but next time try to be more punctual." She said in a strict tone before leaving and Harry continued his work, he didn't often escape without a punishment from her.
Later that day, master Shifu organized a test for all of the Furious Five to attack him while he was playing the flute, after that he told them in a criticizing tone what they had to improve.
Zeng was also there and told Shifu that master Oogway needs to speak to him, Zeng was sent to Chorh-Gom Prison and when he came back he announced that there will be a tournament to choose the Dragon Warrior.
After the announcement the rest of the morning was spent with the preparation of the tournament, Harry was very excited about this even if he was too young to participate he couldn't wait to see how it will be, he hoped that Crane will be choose as the Dragon Warrior. When the time came, the whole village was there to watch the tournament. Harry was at the main gate of the tournament, excited to see what will happen, after a moment the masters came.
"Excited to see the tournament?" Monkey asked.
"May the universe choose the best?" Harry said with excitement.
"We will see who the best is." Mantis said and he with Monkey went inside.
"Hope you are not so excited so your glasses would crack." Tigress said while going in.
"I will do my best." Harry said.
"Try to be all right while watching." Viper said kindly.
"I will." Harry said making her to smile and to go in.
"You can watch from there, that is a good site." Crane said to Harry showing where he could stay.
"Hope you will be chosen, master." Harry said with an encouraging smile.
"We will see who will be chosen Harry let's not bother up too much." Crane said.
"Right, sorry master, but I hope nothing unusual will happen during the tournament." Harry said.
"I hope that as well." Crane said with a smile before master Shifu announced the beginning.
"Stay safe Harry."
"I will." He said and Crane flew away to land on the ring with the other masters.
After Master Shifu announced the beginning of the tournament the challenges started, the first was Crane with the move of the thousand tongues of fire who were easily deflected by him. After seeing this, Harry couldn't be more impressed by his master and then followed Monkey, Viper and Mantis and the last was Tigress with the Iron Arms and the Flames of Death. During the tournament, Harry noticed strange happenings outside the arena, something like a panda wanted to take a look at the spectacle, but Harry thought it wasn't a serious matter and decided to ignore it. After that, master Oogway began to sense that the Dragon Warrior was among them and all the masters aligned in the center.
"Citizens of the Valley of Peace, Master Oogway will now choose The Dragon Warrior." Master Shifu announced. Master Oogway then began to climb down the stairs, Harry was excited who will be the Dragon Warrior. After a minute some fireworks began to appear from the other side of the wall and something went up in the air. Then, when master Oogway was in front of the five a panda crushed in front of them and when he opened his eyes master Oogway was pointing at him.
"Oh, sorry I just wanted to see who the Dragon Warrior was." The panda said.
"How interesting." Master Oogway said.
"Master, are you pointing at me?" Tigress asked.
"Him." He said.
"Who?" The Panda said confused.
"You." Master Oogway said before announcing "The Universe has brought us The Dragon Warrior." That shocked everyone.
"WHAT?!" Everyone said utterly shocked and a pig sounded the Gong. Master Shifu began to hit him with his mallet, gooses carrying the ceremonial chair arrived and the panda sat on it and began climbing the stairs. Shifu began to talk with master Oogway about what happened and tried to say that it was an accident but he said in a calm voice:
"There are no accidents." And in that moment the chair ripped itself because of the Panda's weight, the gooses couldn't continue carrying it so the pigs came and took their place. All the Furious Five and Master Shifu were completely shocked about Master Oogway's decision but Harry was the most shocked, he couldn't believe that that panda became the Dragon Warrior he hoped that one of the five will. After the panda was brought in the Hall of the Warriors the masters came and Harry went near Crane.
"Sorry for what happened, master." He said in shame.
"It's not your fault Harry, don't worry." Crane said in a calm voice.
"Master, what will we do with the panda? It doesn't seem that he has done Kung Fu." Harry asked.
"We will let Master Shifu and Master Oogway decide what will be done." Crane said calmly.
"Until then, concentrate on your studies." Tigress said before adding "Now go to your room, we will call you for the training later." She said and Harry bowed before her went to his room.
That evening Harry was called in the training hall for the evening training. During the training master Shifu came with the panda to put him to a test; he would have to pass through all the moves the five were doing when he came, but he wasn't sure.
"Wait, wait, wait, what?" He said before adding "Now?"
"Yes, now." Master Shifu said before adding "Unless you think master Oogway was wrong and you are not the Dragon Warrior."
"Well, uhm, I don't know if I can do all of those moves." He said making master Shifu to chuckle.
"Well, if you don't try, we will never know." He said
"Well, it's just, maybe we can find something more suited to my level." The panda said.
"And what level is that?" Shifu asked.
"Well you know I am not a master, but uh just start at zero, level zero." The Panda said making Shifu to giggle and said.
"No, there is no such thing as level zero." Then the panda noticed Crane who was speaking with a younger crane with green eyes, circular glasses and a lightning scar on his forehead who was training with a dummy.
"Always remember hit as hard as you can."
"Hey, maybe I can try what the kid is doing." He said making master Shifu, Crane and Harry turn towards him.
"What he is doing? He is only nine years old and still a child. What he is doing is training for children even if he practiced for three years now." Master Shifu said. "But if you insist."
"Wow, the Furious Five, you look bigger then your action figurines, except for you mantis, you have the same height." The panda said making Mantis a little annoyed.
"Go ahead panda; show us what you can do." Master Shifu said in a calm voice before he asked.
"Uh, are they going to watch or should I wait till they get back to work."
"Hit it." Master Shifu ordered.
"Ok, I mean I jut ate so I'm still digesting so my kung fu might no be as good as later on." He said.
"Just hit it." Master Shifu ordered again.
"Ok." He said and he began to talk and to act weird in front of the dummy making everyone look at him awkwardly. 'This guy is truly ridiculous.' Harry thought.
"Would you, hit it?" Master Shifu said annoyed.
"All right, all right." He said but he only touched it and made it only to move.
"Even Harry hits harder then this." Tigress mumbled.
"Why don't you try again, a little harder?" Master Shifu said and the panda hit it harder and then the dummy hit him and he went into the training gear, the others wanted to help him but Master Shifu made a sign not to. The panda began to be hit by everything in the training hall till he reached the fire tubes where he got burned up and after that he went to them and asked.
"How did I do?"
"There will be a level zero." Master Shifu said. The day finished in not a very pleasant manner for some, especially the panda who told that his name was Po. The next day was even worse, so all of them found him in the training grounds making some 'exercises' and declared that he will not give up. Master Shifu asked the five to fight him till the sun began to settle and didn't stop until he got bitten up really bad, Mantis used acupuncture to help him but he didn't do too good and Tigress told him the story of Tai Lung and Master Shifu. They were now in the kitchen Po was talking about various stuff while making noodle soup he learned from his father.
"Now that was really interesting." Monkey said after hearing Po's joke with the wolf bandit.
"Yeah, I know, it was really funny." Po said while adding the noodles, then he remembered the crane kid.
"Hey, I want to ask, who was the kid who was training with you?"
"Oh, you are talking about Harry, he is Crane's student." Mantis said.
"He is your student?" Po asked.
"Yeah." Crane said. In the hall Harry was carrying two parchments to read in his room and heard the conversation, he went near the door to hear better.
"So how is he usually?" Po asked.
"Well, he is usually quiet and shy near new people but he is not doing bad things." Monkey said.
"And he is very ambitious when it comes to learning, when he has to learn a new kung fu move he doesn't stop till he learns it." Viper said with a smile.
"So, he is a model student right?" Po asked.
"Yes, but sometimes he is so stubborn that when we tell him to stop he refuses and goes on and let's not forget that sometimes he is very tricky." Tigress said making Harry a bit annoyed about this but he has to admit he is sometimes as stubborn as a mule.
"Tigress is very strict with him; she doesn't allow him to make mistakes or be naughty." Monkey said.
"I want only to teach him respect and discipline." Tigress said.
"Sure you do." Mantis said and she stared at him with her eyes.
"Yeah and may I ask where did he get that lightning shaped scar?" Po asked.
"He doesn't know, his parents died when he was one year old and his relatives who abused him told him that he got it in the accident where they died." Viper said with a sad tone.
"What do you mean?" Po asked.
"He told us that his relatives told him that he escaped alive with only that scar, but we think they lied to him." Mantis said.
"No one can escape from such an accident with only a scar, especially with one like his." Monkey said.
"Well I am truly sorry for him, how long has he been here?'
"Crane brought him here three years ago, since then he is his student. He became very loyal towards him." Monkey said.
"Wow so he respects you the most." Po said impressed.
"Yeah, he does." Crane said.
"Although he is a little strange sometimes." Tigress said.
"What, what do you mean by that?" Po asked while putting soup in the plates.
"Sometimes strange things happen near him, once Mantis turned yellow after Harry hold him in his wings although he didn't had anything in them, it took him five days to turn green again." Monkey said making him annoyed remembering what happened.
"I didn't feel good back then anyways, it wasn't his fault." Mantis said.
"Or once at training; he and monkey were training with bow staffs and Monkey won, it didn't go so well for him and while he was leaving, Monkey's bow went out from the support and hit a plank with a brick on the other side that flew in the air and hit his tail." Viper said.
"It truly happened?" Po asked.
"Yeah but I know that I fixed it very well." Monkey said.
"Yeah but let's admit all that happened were just a coincidences, he couldn't have done all those things." Mantis said and everyone agreed.
"What about you Crane? What do you think of your student?" Viper asked.
"Well I have to admit that he is very stubborn when it comes to learning new kung fu skills, even I told him that he could take it easy and try later and many times it seems that he doesn't hear." Crane said making Harry to feel a bit awkward.
"But I always admitted that he is a very good student, he doesn't do bad things, he doesn't have a bad behavior, always doing his best, likes to help and he always takes his lessons seriously. To be honest I am really proud of him, but I don't want to get this to his head." After hearing that Harry knew that he was on the right side, he was feeling happy that his master was proud of him, but like he said he must not let this get to his head. He placed his wing on the wall but he accidentally slipped and went on the ground and everyone began to stare at him and he noticed.
"Uh, sorry I was just passing and I accidentally slipped." He said nervously and took his parchments from the floor. "I will go now, sorry for the disturbance."
"Wait, don't you want to eat something?" Po asked.
"Sorry, but I truly need to go to my room and study, see you all tomorrow." Harry said and left quickly.
"I will bring you some soup later." Crane said. Later that evening, Master Shifu came and told the five and Po that Tai Lung has escaped from prison and he is on his way to the valley and Master Oogway couldn't stop him because he passed away and the only one who could stop him was the panda who tried to run away. Shifu stopped him on the stairs and began to argue, Tigress was there and heard the conversation and decided that she will stop Tai Lung. In the mean time Crane was in Harry's room and gave him some of the soup Po made, while he was eating slowly he noticed his master a bit worried.
"Master, what is going on?" Harry asked concerned, Crane turned around and said.
"Tai Lung has escaped from Chorh-Gom Prison, he is on his way here to take the Dragon Scroll and master Oogway can't stop him anymore, he passed away."
"What are we going to do? Will the Dragon Warrior stop him?" He said scared.
"I'm afraid not, we have to stop him." Crane said.
"Should I come and help?" His student asked.
"No Harry, it's too dangerous for you, you have to stay here." Crane said.
"But master I want to help you." Harry said.
"I know that, but it's too dangerous I can't let you come, I'm sorry." Crane said and he opened the window and both of them noticed a known tiger form in the dark, Tigress must have left and Crane knew he must go and Harry noticed.
"Master, will you come back?" He said in a sad tone.
"I will, I promise." He said before extending his wings and left. Harry was watching in the distance where he was going together with the other furious five, while watching he prayed that they will return alive.
"Good luck, master." Harry said.
The next day Master Shifu found out how to train Po, by using food and other aliments, he brought him to the Spring of the Sacred Tears where master Oogway invented Kung Fu, and began the training. Harry also helped in bringing different food for the training. In the end it began to show great results, but then the Furious Five returned completely paralyzed by Tai Lung except for Crane who brought them, they all knew that the time has come; Po must receive the Dragon Scroll. They all gathered in the Hall of the Warriors, master Shifu made some moves in the water and a peach blossom petal flew to the scroll that made it fall and Shifu got it with the staff remained from Oogway. He then turned around towards Po.
"Behold The Dragon Scroll. It's yours." Shifu said.
"Wait! What happens when I read it?" He asked.
"No one knows, but legend says you will hear a butterfly's wing beat and see light in the deepest cave and feel the universe's emotion around you." Shifu said making Po excited who began to ask questions if he could punch through walls and be invisible and master Shifu told him to focus and attracted his attention.
"Read it, Po, and fulfill your destiny. Read it and become The Dragon Warrior" Shifu said and Po took the scroll but couldn't open it, Shifu took it and opened it for him, then Po began to unravel the scroll, all the Furious Five and Harry were excited but when Po opened it.
"It's blank." Po said shocking everyone.
"What!" Shifu asked shocked.
"It's blank, look." He said wanting to give the scroll to him.
"No I am forbidden to look upon." He said but in a second he looked in it and said.
"Blank... I don't understand!"
"Ok, so like Oogway was just a crazy old turtle, after all." Po said.
"No, Oogway was wiser then us all." Shifu said.
"Oh, come on. Face it he picked me by accident! Of course I am not the Dragon Warrior. Who am I kidding?" Po said and the others questioned who will stop Tai Lung and Shifu said to evacuate the Valley to protect the villagers and Tigress asked.
"What will you do master?"
"I will fight him" Master Shifu said making Po shocked.
"I can hold him long enough for anyone to escape." He said.
"But master….he could kill you." Harry said worried.
"I will pay at last for my mistake. Listen to me all of you it is time for you to continue your journey without me. I'm very proud for beeing your master." He said and bowed to them, they did the same and Shifu turned around towards the reflection pool. Harry was watching him sadly, for him Shifu was a great teacher but he was also like a close uncle, he couldn't believe that he has to say goodbye in these circumstances. Crane and the others were prepared to take their leave but he turned around and noticed his student's sad look and went to him, he placed his wing on his shoulder and looked in his sad green emerald eyes.
"I'm sorry." Crane said with a sad tone before looking at their master.
"Let's go." He said and placed both his wings on his shoulders and began to walk away.
"What shall we do now, master?" Harry asked.
"We will see." Crane said when they went out from the Jade Palace to the grounds. Harry watched back for one last time, he tried to suppress the will to cry but he couldn't stop from shedding one tear to the ground and when it touched it from the ground arose a beautiful pure white rose without thorns.
All the Furious Five began to help the villagers evacuate the valley, Harry was helping his master to light the way out while the rest were helping the villagers in carrying their belongings.
While leaving the valley Po went to his father who told that the secret ingredient for his secret ingredient soup was just that you have to believe what you do is special and he then figured out that this is what the Dragon Scroll wants to say, he went back to the Jade Palace where Shifu was fighting Tai Lung. Things were going really bad till he came and began to fight him, eventually Po defeated him by using the wuxhi finger hold that eventually destroyed him. Everyone went back and began to cheer him before the five and Harry came and bowed to him and called him 'master'. Then he remembered about Master Shifu and began to hurry to reach the top and the rest of the Furious Five followed him, when they reached the door of the Hall of the Warriors they noticed him standing near Shifu near the Moon Pool and they realized that their master has found inner peace at last. Now all the Five and Harry were outside talking about how it will be now with Po around and while they were talking Viper noticed the white rose and went there.
"Hey guys, look." She called and pointed to the rose.
"I didn't know roses like this one grew in this part of China." Monkey said while Viper took it.
"I heard that they are very rare." Viper said but then Mantis noticed that something was missing.
"I saw this kind of rose before, but there is something strange to this one." Mantis said taking a closer look followed by Tigress who took a closer look to the rose.
"He is right, there is something to this rose, it doesn't have thorns." She said.
"Plus that it couldn't grow in this ground, look, the soil in this area is rocky it is not adequate for a rose like this." Mantis said showing the ground.
"Another strange happening." Monkey said peaking towards Harry and Crane noticed.
"Come one, let's be serious, he couldn't do that." He said.
"What?" Harry asked confused.
"Nothing I thought for a second that you made this rose appear." Monkey said.
"How could I make it appear? I didn't plant a seed in the ground and if I would I would not plant it in a ground like this, I would know it will not grow." He said.
"You know, this is more logical, still I will keep the rose." Viper said taking the flower back from Mantis.
Author's note: Hope you like this chapter, I am looking forward for your reviews.
