Here's to another chapter!
...I have no idea what else to say...
So let's just start this!
Fenghuang was not going to lie about this. She was extremely anxious. She hasn't seen her opd Master in decades, and here he was , right across from her, wearing that warm smile. It was because he knew she couldn't win in this situation. Oogway was definitely not the arrogant type, make no mistake. He was just calling the circumstances as they were. And according to those circumstances, Fenghuang's only choice was to fight, or run and fight. Either way, she was not going to be having any fun.
And this was the holidays. She was seriously going to get caught and thrown into the slammer on the holidays. Needless to say, it sucks to be her right now. It really sucks to be her right now. But at the very least, she had to ask a question.
"How long did you know I was here?"
"I knew for quite a while." Oogway responds. No surprise to her. She should have known that he would know that she was in the Valley the entire time, because the 'universe' was on his side. Screw you, universe. "I must say, Fenghuang, I was genuinely surised to know that you willingly came back into the Valley on your own accord, and to help someone in need."
"Hey! That panda cub just came across me on my mountain, running away from some stupid poachers. I cut tuw kid a break, nothing more. It was just an accidental meeting."
"There are no accidents."
She groaned. A rather bitter reunion(at least from her side) only goes on for a couple seconds and he's already annoying her. "Hey, tortoise. Do me a favor and keep all your riddles for the midget. He loves to solve riddles."
"But if I reserve my riddles for only Shifu, no one else will learn anything new."
"Freaking...you're doing it again! Cut that out! You know I don't miss you!"
"No. But I missed you." She flinched. "Of course I was the one who cast you out. But it was not something I wanted to do. I hoped you could have properly thought through your descent into darkness and changed your mind. I guess I was wrong...or maybe not."
She tapped her talon to the ground. "Dammit old turtle, quit with your weird talk! It won't work! I know you all never really cared about me!"
"No Fenghuang. I see all students I take under my teachings as my children. As such, I was most sad when you chose darkness instead of light. I truly expected you to have become one of the greatest Kung Fu Master's of the new generation. I believe this is the realization that corrupted you. You wanted to be a leader of ypur generation, but all you've managed to do is paint yourself as a very greedy owl who wants to be acknowledged as the best. Indeed, you were very close to crossing the point of no return...luckily someone managed to pull you back before you were able to do so."
Fenghuang raised an eyebrow. "Seriously? How could you even figure that?"
"You're in the Valley Of Peace, are you not?" He asked of her, which made her pause. "Think, Fenghuang. You admitted yourself that it's because you were too afraid to face me that you never came back to the Valley for many years...now...put in one panda cub and suddenly you've changed your mind and immediately came back there. Wjy would that be?"
Fenghuang was struck still for a moment. She herself had no idea how things have escalated to this kind of level. She merely meant to drop the panda off at his home, she didn't expect herself to actually stick around for it. Yes..clearly she's stuck around longer than she expected. More like a week and a half, at best. She was sure she'd be leaving sooner than that, but for some reason, she was never able to get around to actually leaving. It was like she forgot all about it, almost. She was truly about to leave tonight, but Mr. Ping giving her a sun lantern, and having the realization that Po handmade it himself to thank her for saving his life. Then she went to save his life from the Lin Kuei at the certain risk that she would get caught, and didn't care one bit about it, and would rather face the consequences with a brave face. Mr. Ping also didn't tell Master Oogway or Shifu, or anyone about her being in the Valley, and he fed her quite well, and with no charge. The most crucial part comes in that neither of them new about her status when they first met her, and when she told them, they still accepted her fully. Those two were very generous and kind to her, and she even took into account that they could have risked banishment for harboring a dangerous Kung Fu Mastwr.
She figured out why it was so difficult to leave. She didn't want to leave. Or more specifically, she didn't want to leave Po and Mr. Ping. They treated her as a friend, before and after she told them her true identity. Out of everyone there, those two were the ones who accepted her with open arms, no questions asked. It...felt nice, and she didn't want the feeling to leave when she does. Po's gift to her merely confirmed the realization. And now...she'll face down the consequences like a warrior.
No regrets.
Oogway was about to continue the conversation, but he was interrupted by the sounds of three hasty footsteps made their way down the Thousand Steps, and one of them sounded REALLY heavy. She recognized that overpowering chi anywhere.
Within a few moments, three figures entered the fray. And Fenghuang's chances of eacape dwindled by a large margin. Her frown deepened. "You have got to be kidding me..."
"Master Fenghuang." The deep voice of Master Thundering Rhino, accompanied by Master Storming Ox and Master Croc, called out her name. All three of them were wearing whitea to signify their participation in the Winter Feast. His tone was neutral, at best."I've heard a lot about you. One of Master Oogway's best students turning into one of the most vile Master's in history. And you could have become so much better."
"Are you serious? Now the big bad rhino is going to lecture me too?" She pouted. "Well...to justify the means, he is pretty badass..."
"You should have stayed in your icy cage in the Northern Mountains, owl." Storming Ox snarled. "Now you have the gall to interrupt the Winter Feast as well? How much mischief do you plan to instigate?"
"It's not like you're doing anything up there!" Fenghuang shouted. "Seriously, you're only eating food in total silence while mimicking the actions of the host. That's just...boring. All of you are boring."
"Insolent Fowl!"
"And there goes your temper. Honestly, why must you be such a hot-head? Is it because of all the hot-air in it. Because all it can think of is 'Attack! Attack! Attack!' And the logical side of you is like 'No thanks, on a tea break.' Even I show more patience than you. You ox's tend to just sit around lazily and lash out at those who bother them. So yeah, I'm the insolent one. Seriously, why can't you be more laid-back like your partner, the croc over there?"
"She's definitely earned her reputation for being a snarky one..." Master Croc mumbled. "Also...it WOULD help if you would listen to me a bit more."
"We're facing an enemy and you speak of this NOW?!"
"Oh my, look at what you did now, Fenghuang. You're started an argument." Oogway chuckled.
"What's so funny, you old reptile? I already told you-" she was silenced immediately by the bolt of lightning coursing through her entire body, resulting in a rather loud screech of agony as she fell forward, only being held up by her wings. The shock finally ended, while her body was emitting smoke, and she could just barely stay conscious. "What...the...hell...?" She looked up to see Thundering Rhino had brought his Cloud Hammer, and she was pretty sure it shot the lightning at her. More elemental chi attacks...? I HAVE been gone for a long time...damn. Can't...move...
"Apologies, Fenghuang." He said to her. The dude was a genuine nice guy...but pulling punches is not something he does for the enemy. Not even a little. "We can't risk you flying off again, so I paralyzed your wings. Now you'll be able to come with us without resistance."
Fenghuang raised an eyebrow. "You paralyzed a grown woman in the middle of a village, and I can't make any move of resistance. I'm at your mercy. I wonder how you men plan to handle me, hm..."
"You're sick, you know that?" Master Croc sweatdropped. Another, smaller figure jumped into the fray, creating a small cloud of dust, right in front of Rhino, Ox, and Croc. As well as facing Fenghuang.
"Oh goodie, the midget is here as well. Might as well bring the rest of the team together so that we have a set." Fenghuang rolled her eyes.
"Fenghuang?! How dare you show your face back here?!"
"Are YOU gonna start lecturing me too, Big Ears?" She asked sarcastically.
Shifu's glare only intensified. "You are not going to ruin the Winter Feast with your trickery and maliciousness. I'm getting the guards to haul you away."
"Too much of a coward to do it yourself, eh? Send your problems away so that they can't bother you. That'll work. "
"Your sarcasm knows no bounds." He responded blankly. He turned around and begins his trek back up the Thousand Steps. Master Croc and Storming Ox neared Fenghuang to further restrain her. Though they backed uh up when they saw a frantic loony goose flapping his wings and quacking frantically at them with a slight look of madness. Oh wait, that's just Mr. Ping.
"Now you just hold it right there!" Mr. Ping shouted, outstretching his wings. "You Kung Fu brutes best back away from her!" Storming Ox walked straight up to him with a condescending glare, but the goose wasn't affected at all. "She has done nothing wrong over the entire time that she was here! She could have done something damaging to the Valley, but she never raised a wing against it!"
Ox was not very convinced. "So you admit to harboring a criminal?"
"She's done nothing wrong here. In my perspective, I see no criminal. I see someone who's been lonely for a very long time, and it finally made her seek out a connection to alleviate that loneliness. She's not the same owl that scarred this Valley. She's changed."
"Regardless, we are not certain that she will keep this so-called change as a permanent occurrence. It is better to be safe than sorry. We cannot take your word for it just because you're the only one here that thinks differently. Now...step aside."
"I refuse." Mr. Ping folded his wings, and the look he sent Ox shows that he meant what he said. The villagers were staring at Mr. Ping as if he lost his mind. He was seriously refusing to let them take a dangerous individual away. He was taking a criminal's side over the judgement of three members of the Kung Fu Council. He made a blantant disagreement and was sticking by it. Even Fenghuang was temporarily speechless when she sees his firm resistance to her arrest.
"Goose...what are you doing...? You don't have to do this." She said to him. "I'm...not worth it."
Mr. Ping didn't moved an inch. "Fenghuang...you saved my son's life not once, but twice now. If I don't stand up for you here, then I'd never be able to let it go. I owe you so much."
"Why must you be so foolish?" Shifu voiced. "You stand up for her? You don't know her like I do. She's beyond redemption, she needs to be locked away!"
"HOGWASH!" Mr. Ping shouted, loud enough to hurt Shifu's ears. "You don't get it. She DID get locked away. She hid herself away from the world so that she wouldn't get hurt. But she couldn't take it anymore. It doesn't matter if you're good or evil, or even neutral. Anyone will be desparate for compaionship or at the very least some attention, be it good or bad." He closed his eyes. "She got sick of pretending she doesn't exist just to avoid trouble, because she's better than that. What she needed was the courage to face the world again. An outside force needed to pull her away from her barrier...and that outside force is me and my son. And since then, she has done nothing that makes me distrust her. She's confused, sure. Is she a heroic figure? Not quite. But she definitely isn't the evil owl you remember her as. Not anymore."
Shifu shook his head. "Have you really fallen for her deception that much? It's foolish to trust someone like her qithout question."
"And yet you refuse to see that she still has a chance. She told me that you two used to be comrades. You abandoned her. Oogway did not, at least not completely. If there is any fool within this vicinity, it's YOU."
"EXCUSE me?" Shifu glared hard into Mr. Ping's eyes, and the hostile feeling was neutral. Before it could escalate, three children managed to break them up. One pushed Shifu back, the other pushed Mr. Ping back, and the last stood in the middle, trying to defuse the tension.
"Dad! Calm down!" Po said, wincing through his injured shoulder.
"Father, don't do this." Tigress begged.
"Okay, everyone just chill out for a second, okay?" Fung said while waving his paws in a 'take it easy' kind of gesture.
The following silence was not what they expected. The villagers around them expected loud disagreements, not silence. It made them wonder what just happened.
Thundering Rhino, Storming Ox, and Master Croc, ceased all hostile intentions and just stared at the panda cub known as Po. They just stared at him, like they were surprised that he existed. It's justified, considering what they said next:
"It...can't be...can it?"
"There's no denying it, Croc. That's a panda cub."
"That can't be! The pandas completely disappeared after the attempted genocide on their homeland, even we couldn't find them!"
Time stopped around Fenghuang as she heard those two words. Attempted...genocide...? Her view on Po changed drastically. She honestly thought that the sudden disappearance of the pandas was merely a need for migration. But now she knows the true reason. They ran off...because someone or something tried to wipe them all out, for whatever reason. Po must be one of those survivors. She remembered a detail of Mr. Ping's description of when he first found Po: When I found him, he was dirty, covered in soot, hungry...and oblivious to most things around him. Now it made more sense.
But then...how did Po get here? What did he witness? What the hell am I missing here...? She didn't bother voicing that thought out loud. This realization merely furthers the fact that she had blatantly ignored the events of the world around her...up until now.
Rhino was the first to get over his shock, and began stepping forward. Po, thinking he had hostile intentions, instinctively stepped in front of Fenghuang. "Fenghuang is my friend. She saved my life two times, and she's actually a good person if you actually take the time to spend some with her. I'm sorry, but I can't let you take her."
You too, Po?! Fenghuang thought in disbelief.
"If Po says you can't have her, then you won't." Tigress said blankly, standing next to him.
"Can't you just let her off with a warning?" Fung asked with a shrug, though his decision was clear as well. The cooperative rebellion had caused Rhino to stop, and caused everyone else around them except Mr. Ping to stare on in utter disbelief.
Thundering Rhino practically towered over Po, but the look on his face says that he could care less. The panda was glaring right into Rhino's eyes, holding him back with nothing but sheer defiance. Rhino recognized eyes like those, they were the eyes of a warrior. Of course he wasn't going to harm the cub, but even if he did, it would hardly matter. Phas made his decision clear, through his actions and words.
Here he was standing, just a small cub, against one of the most powerful Kung Fu Masters in the world. And the result was...
"...Very well."
Ox and Croc were understandably shocked by this decision. Shifu more than anyone. Oogway was watching casually, as if he knew that this would be the end result. It simply didn't process through the minds of the younger Masters that one cub of an endangered species managed to get Thundering Rhino to back off, with nothing but his own tranquil but fierce defiance. Mr. Ping sighed in relief. He thought he would have to go crazy if they actually intended to harm Po.
Plus, Thundering Rhino had sensed Fenghuang's chi the entire time. It was no longer dark and twisted, but merely confused. It's because she didn't realize that anyone would actually stand up for her, and succeed. She honestly thought she was done for.
"Come. Ox, Croc, Oogway, and Shifu. As well as you, Fenghuang and Mr. Ping. We have something else to discuss." Rhino said, before making his way back up to the Jade Palace. With confused faces, everyone followed their lead, including the children who stood up for the owl moments before.
(Jade Palace: Hall Of Heroes)
"This is absolutely preposterous! Are we really going to trust Fenghuang? Despite all the noticeable dangers she can pose to everyone?!"
"Glad to see you still have faith in me, rat."
"Enough, both of you." Rhino ordered. They both just turned away from one another and frowned. "As I was saying, we have quite a crisis on our hands, and not just in criminal activity rising. Po was attacked twice, the latter being a flat-out attempted assassination. That can only mean those bounty hunters Fenghuang chased off notified others about their find."
"Bastards. I knew I should have finished them..." The owl hissed.
"Regardless, if the Lin Kuei know that your son is here, Mr. Ping, and the fact that he's been marked a target...he's no longer safe in the Valley Of Peace. The Lin Kuei are evolving into a total organization to improve their clan. Trust me when I say that they won't stop here. They're too stubborn."
"...I see." Mr. Ping said in a depressed but understanding tone. "So...what can we do about it?"
"We may be able to give him some protection...but we'd have to take him to a rather isolated location far away from prying eyes." Storming Ox offered. "But even so, someone has to teach him to defend himself. We can't be around for him 24/7."
Fenghuang thought carefully about her next move. Then she raised her wing. "I'll train the boy."
"YOU?"
"Yes me, you damn ox. I can take him far away from here, but not to the Northern Mountains. I'll take him to an isolated location where no one can bother us, and no one will rat us out."
"And how do we know that this isn't a trick?"
"You wanna out me under probation? Because I'm fully capable of putting up with that, so long as I can help the cub get strong enough so when he grows up he won't get himself killed. I will train him. And you will agree. Because I have the type of free time that none of you have."
There was an extended silence after her claim. Rhino and Croc nodded in agreement, Ox reluctantly did the same, Shifu looked like he would refuse, and Oogway agreed as well. It took a couple moments to realize that Shifu was outvoted. Oogway nods. "It's been settled then. Now, I shall take my leave."
They both looked at him in confusion. "With these events, I have assigned myself a very important mission. I will be gone for a very long time. Fenghuang, when do you expect Po to be ready to face the harshness of the outside world?"
Fenghuang nods. "Under my care...I'll say around 15 years. The Lin Kuei are no joke, plus other irritating guys running around." Mr. Ping choked a bit when he heard how long he and Po would be gone. It was a neccessity, but still. That's a bit crazy. "Anything against that?"
"Not at all."
"I shall take the croc child." Master Croc offered, which earned him a couple of questioning looks. "Something about him...reminds me of myself. In my younger days." No one objected to this decision, it was his own.
"For now...the Winter Feast continues. Let us try to relax a little." Oogway smiles as he turns slowly and walks away. All the other Masters gave a quiet nod of agreement to one another, and left in different directions.
Rhino and Ox looked at one another. "Do you think Shen has a part in the Lin Kuei's attempt on the cub's life?"
Rhino sighs, as he remembers the peacock that plagued his memory. "Ox...I honestly wouldn't be surprised if he did..."
(Peach Tree)
The children trio were sitting at the Peach Tree, gazing at the night sky, eyes full of wonder. Although one paor of eyes were full of sadness. She hugged her knees, gazing at the ground. "This isn't fair...I finally made two friends...and now I have to let them go. And I won't see either of you for a very long time...this just isn't fair!"
"Tell me about it. We met on the exact same day, too." Fung sighed. "This sucks...this totally sucks..."
Po sighed. "Maybe this is for the best, guys. I mean...we were in serious trouble back there. I almost died twice this month. It's becoming more and more obvious that I have to do something about this. You guys got hurt trying to protect me."
"I was too weak..." Tigress grumbled.
"No Tigress. It's not about weakness...it's something else entirely...I just don't know what it is."
"Preparation, young one. The word you're looking for is preparation." Oogway appeared behind them, making the children jump. He was amused, given his chuckle. "You three were not prepared to meet the dark side of the world, but you've already been exposed to crueler aspects of life...and I am sorry you had to. At the very least, you will become stronger from these experiences."
"Truly?"
"Truly. Now Fung, it's time for you to leave with Master Croc. But before that, Po has this present for you." Oogway handed something to Fung. His eyes lit up. It was a brand new helmet! His current one was seriously busted at this point, so he gladly takes this helmet and tries it out. It fits perfectly.
"Like a glove!" He shouts happily. He then turns to Po and hugs him. The panda gleefully returns it. "Thanks, man. You just seriously boosted my spirits, cause I barely get gifts. Really, thanks."
"It's no problem, Fung." Po smiles. They break the embrace, and Fung is now smiling a lot. "Now for..."
"Indeed." Oogway hands Tigress her gift. Her paws covered her muzzle for a sec, before she reaches out and takes it. A scarf...a carefully woven scarf with the insignia of a tiger running across it. The main color was red, while the tiger itself was orange with black stripes. "Po asked for the finest fabric as well as the finest wovers to make this scarf, very carefully. He really wanted to make his first gift to you special."
"That's right!" Po grinned.
Tigress gazed at Po, with tears in her eyes. "Po...thank you so much...for this..." She whispered, as she reaches t hug him. He gladly returns this embrace, but this one lasted a bit longer, as she didn't let go of him for a while.
Oogway smiled once again. "Now Po, time for your present, it's from Tigress. Close your eyes."
Po nods and closes his eyes. After couple moments, Po felt something light on his head, and he had to push it back up. "Huh...? What's this? Is it...a straw hat?"
"Indeed. Tigress told me how much you like straw hats, because it makes many people much more...ahem, 'Awesome'. Is that right?"
Po was stunned for a couple moments, before he hopped with glee. "I love this! This is definitely many shades of awesome! I've always wanted my own straw hat! You can make such amazing entrances when you wear a straw hat!"
"Hmhmhm...I do agree with you. I have one myself, see?" Oogway days, spawning his own straw hat. How did he even...never mind. He's Oogway.
Po's smile gazes back to to Tigress. "Thank you, Tigress." She blushed a bit, and she nodded, her new scarf warmly wrapped around her neck. Fung watched on with a smile of his own. "So...Fenghuang says that I have to leave with her tonight, because she flies farther at night. So...I guess this where we part ways, guys. I'm leaving with Fenghuang, Fung leaves with Master Croc, and Tigress has to stay here with Shifu. I'm sure we can do it guys. It'll take some time, but we totally can."
Tigress and Fung gazed at Po for a while, until they both nodded with smiles. To prove heir connections, Oogway tapped the Peach Tree twice, and three peaches fell from the branches. They all looked at the fruit with a confused stare, until they smiled. "We will meet again, someday." They all said at once, as they all bit into their peaches. After a while, it was time for Fung to leave first, as he left by Master Croc's side. Po was about to follow suit, but Tigress stopped him. "Po..."
"Tigress?"
She honestly didn't know what she was thinking at the moment. But she did it anyway. She removed the straw hat from his head and placed a gentle kiss to his forehead, which made his eyes widen. Then she placed it back on his head. "I know you will be gone a very long time Po. You're my very first friend...promise me you'll come back..."
Po gazed inti her crimson eyes compared to his jade ones, and nods with a smile. "I'll be back, Tigress. When we meet again, we'll be strong enough to challenge whatever the world throws at us. Together."
"Yes..." She nodded with a smile. He nods back, and then turns to leave with Fenghuang and Mr. Ping. Though the owl tells him to get ready, she swiftly turns to Tigress and wrapped her in one wing.
"Hey kid. Have you ever been mistaken as a boy, before?" The mischievous look on her face says that this was not going to have pleasant results for Shifu. Which is why she's doing this.
Tigress blinked, before looking to the side in embarrassment. "It's annoying..."
"Hmhm. Never fear, young one, for you'll never be mistaken as a male ever again, when you become a young woman."
"H-Huh? REALLY?" Her face lights up, her tail swishing excitedly behind her.
"Of course. Your body matures along with your mind, after all. And soon enough, no one will mistake you for a male. Because by then...you'll have something to make them think differently. I know because I have them too."
"You do?"
"Indeed. And lemme tell ya, they're soft, and-OW!" She would have continued, but a rock impacted her skull. A rock thrown by Shifu. "What the-(covers Tigress' ears) ...hell, you pint-sized jerk! I was just informing her about something!"
"THAT TYPE OF INFORMATION SHOULDN'T BE GIVEN TO HER AT HER CURRENT AGE!"Shifu roared, comical shark-like teeth emphasizing his fury.
Tigress, like the young cub she is, is just standing there watching two grown Kung Fu Masters argue like children. And she hasn't the foggiest idea as to why...
(Later)
Tigress stands in front of an Ironwood Tree, wondering if this was the right way to go about things.
Po tilted his straw hat upwards, as he smiles in anticipation to his quest.
Tigress raises one paw, and clenched her fist. Shifu was watching her from an observing distance.
Po looks up towards Fenghuang, who smirked at him, she's also looking forward to this.
Tigress pulls back her fist, and strikes the tree as hard as she could. She felt the heay pain in her knuckles, but she refused to stop. She'll improve her endurance exponentially with this type of training. Her strict teacher was hesitant, but he approves of this. It'll help her in the long run. The pain is temporary.
Po looks towards the sky and raised his paw, as he gets a feeling for the breeze in the air, it relaxed him a bit, eased his senses. He was being looked over a Kung Fu Master who had many faults, but nonetheless values freedom very much. She is one who will have Po learn many things so he doesn't fall too far behind.
And at the same time: A faded image of Tai Lung hangs above Tigress, and a faded image of Shen hangs above Po. They both look forward. Tigress with her fierce resolve to work for raw strength in order to protect her friends, has her scarf around her neck. And Po, having a cheerful smile under his straw hat, and a big heart that will undoubtedly win over many valuable allies. And Oogway, before he leaves on his 'mission', has a few thoughts. These two will undoubtedly be two major figures in their generation. He believes this with every fiber of his being.
"They will be strong..."
It has begun...yay~ :3
Now that I have finished that five chapter prologue, I'll finally get to the real beginning of this story. As you can see, the Lin Kuei shall be a major antagonistic force for who knows how long.
This story shall not be broken up. This story, in some terms or another, shall be very long. Yep, one big adventure. And again, I'll try not to use anything past the second movie, except some names...that's about it. And, I shall try to keep characters in...well...character. I can already see it, staying in-character will not be easy, even when it's my intention. It happens.
Now as for T-rating related stuff. There is already blood, so that's one off my list. Mild Language...oh boy... some of the young adult males and young tough females will be pretty guilty of this(notable exceptions being Po, Viper and Crane, though they'll have their moments). As for dark themes...well...I did say a major theme would be 'Outcasts', and I do intend to use it. Though of course I'm not a dark kind of guy. Humor and light-hearted themes are not out of my reach, they'll still be here.
As for the cast...you'll just have to see how I handle that one.
That's it for this chapter. Starting the next one, we start off with the adventure. And I'm contributing the following major factors: Po was training under Fenghuang of all people, so when we see him come out he'll be a bit more rough when it comes to some things(ex: Anger, Irritation, or Necessity, all three may or may not involve fighting) But not by a lot, and overall he'll still be the same big nice guy panda. Tigress, having experienced friendship with Po and Fung, will be somewhat more relaxed, but her seriousness will still be around.
And remember...this is AU.
Anyway, I've spoiled enough stuff right now, I'll see you later~