Here's another chapter for ya!
And here's yet another anime-opening as well. Yeah, I'm still doin' those. They take a bit of thinking, but they're quite fun to make, even if they're not the main focus. Sure, spoilers here and there. But...I see it as a bit of a taste, ya know?~
As you'll see, lots of big things will be going down in the Dragon Warrior Arc. Planning to surpass the previous arc in epicness, and slightly in feels. You'll be the judges of whether I succeed or not.
Here goes!~
[Theme: My Hero Academia: Odd Future]
Been through quite a lot, he has. Lost his mother and most of his clan, adopted by Mr. Ping, saved by Fenghuang, befriending Fung and Tigress, recruited the new generation Furious Five, fought various dangerous enemies, saved many people, including Shen and Pang Bing, discovering he's the Dragon Warrior.
Pushing up his hat, Po still moves onward with his friends, and with a smile.
The ghost of Oogway smiles and lightly pats both Shifu and Fenghuang's surprised heads, gently blessing them.
Antics of Po and friends are as usual. Po is energetically eating Mr. Ping's prepared lunches, Tigress nonchalantly doing push-ups with a boulder on her back, Crane flying around creating whirlwinds with Mei Ling holding onto his legs, Viper watering a few flowers with a cheerful hum, and Mantis and Monkey were arguing over who gets the last almond cookies, while Fung and Song sneaks away with them...Alas, they're still quite young. They're under the watchful eye of the Kung Fu Council and parents, including the Previous Five, Mr. Ping, and Taotie.
Li Shan and Mei Mei were moving along the road, with adorable Lei Lei sleeping soundly on the former's back, nose bubble and all. Mei Mei fans herself and briefly blows a seductive kiss.
Young Lian is weeping into her knees, with Su Wu gently reaching out her paw. Present Peng takes a deep breath while stepping up to a rather despondent Tai Lung. Present Bian Zao yawns as lightning crackles and shoots from his hooves. Hurriedly, Crane flies by with wind strong enough to blast boulders, and Monkey hot passionately jumps into the fray with a kick.
Po holds up a bandaged arm to reveal the glowing claws of a Dragon. Then fades to Tigress with her fist pulling back, then clashing with a monstrously large boar, utterly destroying the ground around them. Fung was meanwhile thinking back to the past, involving the practice of terra cotta warriors...
Menacingly, a seemingly harmless pig was standing atop a mountain of corpses, and the shadow of a demonic dragon following him, as well as demons from the underworld.
Dubbed 'The New Generation', the younger heroes jump into the fray with determined-some cheerful-faces. Bian Zao surprisingly leads the fray, blasting a much larger beam of lighting outwards.
Po, with one swollen eye, pushes up with golden chi flowing from him, wipes his lip while glaring defiantly. In front of him, a large Gorilla pounds the ground once, before rising with a manic expression as thunder and lighting raged around him, along with seismic tremors. Unafraid, Po leaps towards him with his eyes turning into green slits.
Li Shan faces down a horde of demons with a defiant glare, hat hiding one glowing eye, with the Sword of Heroes in paw, as he glowed with incredibly potent chi. Fenghuang and Shifu lead the Previous Five into battle, with Tigress doing the same for the New Furious Five. Po blasts a beam of golden light outwards, then throws a potent golden punch forwards.
'Tales of China' appears, and glitters in green and gold.
Last scene, Po smiles while holding his hat on his head, with his Master Fenghuang calmly watching the land with him...
It's been a few days since the intense events that plagued Imperial City. And surprisingly, the overall severe casualties we're extremely low. Many were wounded and scared, but no one outright died. Not one citizen. For the shamed Kung Fu Masters that fell under the spell, that was a couple consolation they would gladly accept. They, along with nearly everyone else, worked together for entire days cleaning up the damage that was caused, their tenacity lasting to the point where they were able to get a vast majority of it done, at least enough to have shops be operational again.
And days like this, we're spent resting from all that hard work. And as the morning light shined down upon everyone, they were getting up prepared to enjoy their break. Well...most were, anyway.
Po and Tigress were the last ones up, to the latter's great surprise. It wasn't entirely her fault, though. When they've both confessed to one another, Po found it sweet for them to fall asleep together in a hammock. He would cover his face with his had with one stubby leg over the other, while Tigress curled up on his tummy and simply fell asleep there, gentle purrs occasionally tickling him a bit. It totally wasn't her fault that he was simply that comfortable to sleep on. The childish part of Tigress never wanted to sleep anywhere else ever again, but figured that might be a bit much. The sentiment was very much there, however slight.
It was when they woke up that they'd come across their next major obstacle. But for now...
"Zzzz...honey glazed cookies...zzz...sugar-coated dumplings...zzz...dragon's beard candy...lotus seed paste..."
How nice. Sleeping in each other's presence and Po's thinking about sweets. Tigress couldn't help but chuckle, as she was the one awake before him. She then saw his bandaged arm. Right...with it being mostly made out of his own chi, Pang Bing was kind enough to create bandages capable of keeping the energy in so it doesn't constantly tire him when he breaks it out. A strange concept, but it works.
Then she looked at her own paw...and remembered she had a knife jabbed through it. It was an outrageously good thing she couldn't feel pain in her paws and capitlized on that, or that would have been extremely painful. Regardless, she might as well change clothes while she's at it, and everyone else most likely asleep.
The inn had a private room for this. As she steps into it after being extra careful not to wake the others, she begins changing while thinking everything over.
We've been through quite a lot, and what recently happened as definitely been one of the more intense experiences we've had so far. Tigress mentally muttered as she slides out of her robes with a deep sigh. Honestly Po. Either trouble finds us or we find trouble. A middle ground is impossible at this point. And the more it happens...the more okay we are with it. I honestly don't know if that should or shouldn't be the case, but this is our life now, apparently. She chuckled as she looks up to the ceiling for a bit while stretching for a bit, rolling her shoulders. A painful life, sometimes. But still rather fulfilling, in some ways and others. She continues with closed eyes, continuing to undress, then reaching for her newest outfit with another sigh. Though the last thing I expected to happen that day was to become Po's...Po's lover. I...I do wonder what we'll be doing from here on out? I've seen relationships such as my nephew and Lian, but it's significantly different to being in one for myself. I'm honestly not sure if I c-
"Tigress, are you in here? I was wondering if you're feelin' any-" Po slides the door open asking Tigress about her well being...while she was in the middle of changing her bandages next. Tigress's eyes widened as they made contact with his, both of them looking quite confused. As for her, very much embarrassed.
"Ah...Ah...A-Ah..." Tigress could only mutter incoherently while a bright blush was taking over her face, her mouth getting rather squiggly and tongue-tied. How was she supposed to respond to this? How's Po going to respond to this?
He folded his arms and tilted his head. "You know...I always forget just how muscular you really are, Ti." He said rather casually. "Buff biceps, muscular thighs, and then there's the abs...you're really awesome, Ti. Meanwhile I'm all chubby with a jiggly belly and stuff...though that's saved my life a lot, so I'm pretty glad for it." He raised a paw. "Oh! Your chest is jiggly too, but it's also nice and firm. I know, given how many times I've landed my face in it so far."
Tigress...really wished she had Po's nerves. There was no perverse sentiments in his words, he simply found her body very appealing, and was straightforward with it. Well...he's always admired her for who she was as a person, so him having a little admiration for her body wasn't going to kill her. Still...he could at least be a little bit more embarrassed about this current situation. It was almost unfair.
Po blinked. "...Oh. You're changing." It took him that long to process that? "Do you want me to leave?"
"N-No. You're fine. I was simply...startled, that's all." Tigress muttered as she simply continued changing, her reddened cheeks finally dying down a little. She was glad she reined in her nerves enough to not overreact, knowing it was purely accidental. "Though I think it's best that Father knows nothing about this."
"Why is that?"
"Po. We're already going to have a difficult time breaking it to him that we're lovers. We shouldn't make that worse by having him know you've seen me semi-naked!"
"Ooohhh...do you wanna see me semi-naked so we can be even?""
Tigress chose not to address the fact that the idea actually seemed very appealing to her. "N-No, Po. Let's not make a soon to be awkward conversation even worse. I'm just going to get changed, and we'll tell Shifu during breakfast. The sooner we get this out of the way, the less consequences we'll suffer later."
"TIGRESS AND PO ARE WHAT?!" The resounding shout echoed throughout the entire in, and Tigress's eyes widened at the fact that it was the voice of her father, Shifu. No mistake.
"...I think he already knows." Po mentioned off hand. "...Sooooo all that leaves is breakfast!" And follows this with a bright and beaming-yet charmingly idiotic-smile.
"...I think you're missing the point...what am I saying? Of course you're missing the point." Tigress sighed in exasperation, finishing up as she buttons up her vest. Her next change in outfit was pink with silver designs, her pants returning to black and her scarf tucked around her neck. She kept her fingerless gloves, she's become rather used to them. "Come on. Let's get this over with. I need to find out who I have to kill for breaking the news out before we could give it."
"Kill?"
"Yes Po, kill."
"...Are you mad?"
"With you? No, of course not. We're about to find out who I SHOULD be mad with, though..."
And soon enough, they met in the main room where everyone else was sitting. The new Furious Five-now that Tigress was there-was casually eating breakfast that Mr. Ping graciously cooked for them. Shifu, however, was currently pacing the floor, rubbing his arms with his staff tucked in his arm, looking rather surprised than anything. Mei Ling the fox was watching him while brewing him some calming green tea.
"Come now, Fu-Fi. You knew this was coming for some time."
"That doesn't mean I was mentally prepared for it!" Shifu sputtered while rubbing his temples. "I think I would have been better off if you hand told me. The impact would have been somewhat lessened if they at least told me themselves!"
So Mei Ling told him. Damn. I can't kill Father's lover. That'd be too hypocritical. Tigress pouted in disappointment. She seemed more down by the circumstance preventing her from doing so than the actual act.
"Mm. Who ever said that almond cookies in the morning was bad form?" Monkey muttered casually with a few cookies in his mouth as he balanced on his tail.
"Ooh! Almond cookies!" Po beamed with delight. "I call seconds and thirds and forths!"
"LIKE HELL YOU WILL! You'll get seconds only! This is exactly why we woke up before you BESIDES you usually being a heavy sleeper."
"Ah what?! But I'm a big boy! Big boys like me need much more than seconds!"
"That argument sucks and you know it!" Mantis enforced
"Knock it off, you two! We're sticking to one subject!" Shifu muttered while taking deep breaths. He then turned towards the duo in question. "So...Tigress and Po. Is it true? Are you truly lovers as of this moment?"
"Yes, Father. Yes we are." Tigress said seriously, accompanied with a nod.
"You're admitting it so easily?"
"Seriously. Would it do ANYONE any good for her to stall any longer?" Fung grumbled while popping a few cookies into his jaw. "Your making this more of a big deal than it needs to be. Tigress likes Po and vice versa. They admit this to one another, they snog, simple as that. No need to complicate those events more than they need to be."
"...I...I see." Shifu coughed while brushing himself off. "Well then. I'll behind by saying...I'm very happy for the both of you. Having recently reignited my love for my lost love, I definitely have no justifying reason to keep you two away from your own." Mei Ling smiled while lightly holding his paw, in which he returned the gesture. "I'll say that this is a new beginning for the both of you. A new chapter in your lives. I'm sure it'll be quite an amazing chapter, at that."
"Thank you, Father." Tigress smiled gently.
Mei Ling the Golden Cat chuckled. "Besides, Mr. Ping promised to beat the ever-living stuffing out of Shifu if he acted upon his Fatherly impulses and tried to best YOU up."
Shifu felt greatly annoyed for having that brought up, but didn't bother denying it. "Indeed. While our fatherly love for our children is no doubt equal, if we were to actually out that into physical conflict between us...I'd rather avoid it." Mr. Ping has, and still does, scare a majority of the people in the group. Even Shen, a former notorious warmonger, treads carefully around Mr. Ping. Mr. Ping does not take threats towards his son lightly.
The door to the inn was suddenly kicked open, revealing Fenghuang behind it. "Panda! Everything you're doing right now, stop doing it!"
"..."
"...?"
"..."
"...?"
"..."
"...Oh for the love of-that doesn't include breathing, you dolt!"
"HUUUAAAAH...oh man, that was rough. I think I could have gone a minute...whew..." Po wheezed a bit while on his knees, with Tigress and Mr. Ping soothingly rubbing his back. "What is it, Master...?"
"The other Kung Fu Masters as well as the Emperor's family, wanna see you. You know why, so pets get a move on." Fenghuang nodded, as she turned and flew off. Everyone stared at Po, who sighed and stood up while adjusting his hat, preparing for a meeting.
He did indeed have an idea as to why he was called. And it wouldn't exactly be the most pleasant of conversations.
The Kung Fu Masters, alongside the Emperor and his family, were gathered in his palace, which a majority of it has already been repaired. It was quite clear that it still needed a LOT of work, but it was definitely a boost of progress. And pouring into the Palace, was Po and his dear friends, with him right in the front, and Tigress not too far behind. The only one who was in front of him was Mr. Ping, who was simply smiling with his wings hidden within his sleeves. He too was aware what exactly this meeting was going to be about, but did not let it show on his face until he willed it.
The first to speak up was Master Rhino.
"Glad you can finally join us, Dragon Warrior Po-"
"Just Po is fine." The panda said almost immediately. Master Rhino smiles in understanding and support. So that's how this was going to go. He personally had no problem with that. In fact, power to the panda for making that call. The others wouldn't be so easy on him, however.
"Very well then, Po. We invite you here to discuss about the revelation we've, including yourself, have made about yourself. And of course, we have refreshments for all, straight from the Imperial Chef." Po blinked a bit, looking further to the side to see that there's indeed a surplus of delicious food. And the cook right behind the table...he gasped. The cook also gasped. Then they both gasped.
"QILIN!~"
"PO!~"
The reunited friends jumped towards one another and hugged each other with glee, the former twirling the latter around a little before setting him down. Master Rhino smiled fondly at the scene; arranging this has been well worth the effort.
"No way! YOU'RE the Royal Cook/Imperial Chef guy!? That's super awesome!"
"I know!~" Qilin grinned while stepping back with his paws proudly on his hips. "I didn't really think they'd take me in, but here I am! After workin' my tail off to prove that I could be trusted AND am a pretty gosh darn good cook on top of that, they let me in with little trouble!~"
"That's great, Qilin!" Mr. Ping emphasized with a just as bright smile. It was a really great feeling to have a fellow friendly chef be doing so well. He admitted that they were quite worried about the mystical creature, but were ecstatic that he seems to have found his calling.
"Anyway, I heard about all that chaos that happened, that was pretty crazy. I'm glad you're alright...more or less." Qilin quieted a bit as he saw Po's bandaged arm. That definitely wasn't there when he last met him, and according to very dependable rumors from the other amiable Masters, Po lost his arm between then and now. And he did it while saving someone that no one would have blamed him for letting die. Qilin sighed. Figures the panda would be compassionate-and crazy-enough to do something like that.
"Yeah, it was. But we're all okay now!" Po said while placing his arms behind his neck with a pout. "But now we're at this meeting talkin' about Dragon Warrior stuff. I just wanna eat more food right now...can I have some of what you've prepared?"
"Why of course!~"
"SWEET!~" Po beamed as he immediately dug in for what was available, including bean buns and noodles, with a bit of soy milk.
"...We just had breakfast." Crane sighed while shaking his head. He honestly didn't know what he was expecting. "...But on the other wing...we just went through quite a lot of pain to survive...scoot over, Po!"
"Oh, I'll have some too!" Viper giggled.
"Save some for me!" Mantis hopped.
"Don't you dare eat it all, Po!" Monkey shouted while running towards them as well.
"...Keeping up our strength IS important." Tigress smiled as she casually walked towards them and joined on their second helping of amazing breakfast.
The Masters watched this with various expressions. Some remained stoic, others greatly surprised, others amused.
...Master Yao outright joined them.
"I need more food in this thin body of mine! Being cramped in a box can instill this desire on anybody!~" Was his eccentric chant while happily eating alongside the others.
One of the Masters, known as Master Leopard-not Master Snow Leopard, of the Five-, smiled fondly. "What an eccentric group we have. But I can feel their familial bond from here. They're definitely not like most rowdy groups we've encountered. They're a good bunch."
"Oooh! Master Leopard dresses up nicely!~" Monkey grinned with a swishing tail. Tigress chose not to comment, but she did blush quite a bit as she thought about dressing up in that way. She wouldn't actually do it, but she wondered what she might look like...Tigress is up for a little experimenting with clothing, she supposed.
"Ease up, Monkey. She isn't something you're capable of climbing." Mantis scoffed.
"Hey, if I can handle Tai Lung, I can handle anything!"
"Perhaps you've forgotten that was a team effort? And a ridiculously painful one at that." Crane rolled his eyes.
"Bah, the how's and the why's aren't important. We still won!"
"That's like saying the how's and the why's aren't important when I call you Shithead." Fenghuang deadpanned.
"...That's completely and utterly unrelated to this."
"I incline to disagree.~"
"How do we keep drifting from the important subjects...?" Shifu sighed. Sometimes he didn't know what to do with these kids. Well, young adults. But compared to himself and Fenghuang, it counts.
"Your dynamic is quite amusing. It also inspired us quite a bit." Master Elephant said roughly.
"Reconnecting our team, truly reconnecting the Previous Furious Five, is what we desire." Master Snow Leopard admitted.
"Despite our IMMENSE differences...this young group's intense and deep bond of camaraderie reminds us of you two...we truly want you back in our lives. If not as a whole team to stay together, then at least reigniting our friendship." Master Rooster said calmly.
"This panda being the Dragon Warrior was quite unexpected. Then again, he does a lot of unexpected things." Master Chao said, coughing into his fist a bit. "Saving lives wherever he goes, inspiring others to improve themselves, saving those he believes can become his friend. friend. he wished for it or not, Po has become a major, if stubbornly independent, influence within China."
"We've gotten quite a few messages from outside China about him. Even a few big shot martial artists from Japan are curious about him." Master Kweng huffed.
"As you can see, Po. Ever since you were on the move, you tend to cause interesting changes with your actions and influence. Knowledge that you are the Dragon Warrior will only intensify these subjects to further heights." Master Croc acknowledged.
"There is, of course, your most impressive and dangerous ability of all: Making allies." Master Bear folded his arms. "You've even quelled the likes of Shen, and convinced Pang Bing to surrender and listen to your reasoning. We truly are not sure if you are simply faking your innocence or you're simply carrying that much charisma. Though after recent events, we can definitely say that it's the latter."
"Even the dreaded and ruthlessly chaotic Wu Sisters willingly came to your side a very short time after you met them. You truly are amazing at gathering allies from almost every scope we can think of." Master Ox mumbled.
Po slurped a bit of noodles before blinking and tilting his head. "Hmm...?"
The Emperor-still having a bandage over where Po punched him-gazed at the Dragon Warrior hesitantly, before choosing to look at anyone else but him. So he chose to look at his grandson, Lu Kang. "...Po. What does the Dragon Warrior name mean to you?"
"Eh?"
"You are the Dragon Warrior. How do you handle that information?" Now several of Po's friends leaned in. Obviously they were curious as to how he was taking this sudden discovery in his life. Truth be told, they might already know. They just want to hear it.
Po shrugged. "It's just another part of my life that I'll have to deal with. It just kinda happened, so I may not have felt the full shock of it. But for the most part, I'm just like, 'meh'."
Shifu flicked his ears as he heard shuffling a bit above the seats. He looks upwards to see a cloaked figure watching the whole thing. It didn't take too long to figure out.
Tai Lung was listening.
"I see. You being the Dragon Warrior isn't some major accomplishment, it's just another stage of your life." Master Chao nodded. He supposed he could understand that.
"Pretty much. I mean...why do you ask? What sorta stuff does the Dragon Warrior expect to do?"
Master Rhino rubbed his chin. "Hm...well it is said that the one who received the Dragon Scroll and reads it will receive limitless power. Though since it was destroyed, we'll never know for sure."
"What a tragedy." Tigress huffed.
"Anything else."
"Well..." Master Croc hummed. "The Dragon Warrior is said to be capable of surviving for months at a time on nothing but the dew of a single ginkgo leaf, and the energy of the universe."
"...Only those two things?" Po asked for clarification, his eyes widened in horror. "...Yeeeeaaah...no. No way. Screw that, man. To hell with that noise!"
"W-Wha?!"
"Look at me!" Po shouted while lightly patting his tummy, then spreading his arms. "I dunno if you've noticed, but I'm THE big fat panda of the bunch, proud of it! I put this gut under constant maintenance! I like eating a lot of delicious food every day! It's my favorite pastime! Of course it's always better when I'm eating with friends and family. But the point is, I'll need a LOT more than dew and...universe...juice...huh. I wonder what universe juice tastes like...?"
"Po." Tigress said.
"Right right. Actual point is, I'm a big panda who likes to eat. Telling a panda to go MONTHS without eating is like asking the sky to fall and do backflips! There's asking to do the impossible and asking for utter nonsense! This falls under the latter!" Po patted his chest with his fist, looking more serious than ever. "Not only that, I'm an adult!"
"More like a manchild than an actual adult." Shen quipped.
"Whatever. And even more than that, I'm a chef! I should be able to buy and/or make food, and eat it too! I wanna be able to eat whatever I want, whenever I want, however I want, and as much as I want!" He pointed towards the Masters. "So that part of the legend can piss off!"
"Tahahahaha! Ya see?! There's a reason why I like this panda, and this is definitely one of them!~" Master Yao giggled while floating about for a bit. Master Bear huffed, but couldn't keep an amused smirk off his face. Kindred spirits, he and Po were. And not just because they're bears.
Master Rhino coughed, trying to keep himself from laughing...and he could hear the Wu Sisters not even trying to hold it in. "Right. Moving on."
"Let me hold ya up for a second." Po started while holding a paw up. "Doesn't ANYONE of you think that the Dragon Scroll itself is a bit sketchy? I mean, maybe Oogway had a deeper purpose behind making it that I wouldn't understand because he's much smarter than me, but this is how I'm seeing it."
"Do tell." Su Wu says while leaning forward. This oughta be good.
"I mean, seriously. Why would anyone put the secret to limitless power on a piece of paper? You'd think something like that shouldn't practically be out on display, but there it was in plain sight within the Jade Palace Hall of Warriors." Po paused. "I'm gonna be straight with you. There is no secret to limitless power. And that might be the point of his secret lesson."
"Elaborate." Master Ox requested. Tai Lung was listening carefully as well.
"Just think about it for a second. Some of you thought that the literal secret to limitless power was on that scroll. And I did too, for a bit. But then I trained for so long with Fenghuang, and spent so much time with my Dad...and when I was tapping into my inner power...it then that I understood."
"Understood what...?"
"I thought back to most decisions I've made so far. I always followed my heart on whatever I chose and whatever I did. I didn't try being anything or anyone but myself. My Dad and Fenghuang have built up my self-esteem, and were proud of me when they saw that I was finally capable of holding it up on my own." Po shrugged. "There IS no secret to limitless power. It's just us."
"Panda..." Shen pressed.
"There's no secret or shortcut to gaining immense power. There's only our own determination to become the best version of us that we can be." Po stated. "No one and nothing can tell me who I am or who I should be, but me. Maybe I am the Dragon Warrior. But only I can choose what to do with that revelation." He turned around and placed his hat on his head. "We shouldn't count on some grand secret to make ourselves stronger. The Dragon Scroll can keep it's 'limitless power'. I'll create my own. And my friends have that same potential. We'll tap into it not because someone tells us to, but because that's what we want for ourselves. That way, we each can stand on our own, and better protect each other too."
Said friends smiled fondly at this. Shen hummed. Mr. Ping was humming with delight.
The Kung Fu Council went silent. Except for Master Yao and Master Rhino, who both nodded with full approval. Master Chao clicked his tongue. "Very interesting mindset, Po. What do you think Oogway would think about this?"
"Dunno. He's not here, so I can't ask him." Po shrugged. "He was a good guy, definitely one of the most chill guys in the universe. But I'm pretty sure he wouldn't want us trying to copy him. He's been successful, he's made mistakes, he lived with him. Through ups and downs, victories and defeats, he followed his own path with his own beliefs right to the end. If there's one example he left behind that I do completely agree with, it's that." Po began to walk, baffling those aren't familiar with him for a bit. "I'm just gonna keep being Po. And my friends and family are gonna keep being themselves. We'll keep believing in the us that believes in us, and continue creating our own strength. And through that, we'll continue leading our own lives."
And with that, the rest of his friends followed suit. Fenghuang turned, smirked at the Council, and followed after her student.
Master Rhino turned towards the Emperor. "Well? Are we dismissed?"
"...Yes. It appears we have a lot to think about." The Emperor sighed as the Kung Fu Masters bowed and filed out. He rubbed his temple as he gets up and moves away. He needed some time to himself. He wasn't the only one.
Tai Lung heard the whole thing. He was baffled by how little Po cared about the concept of the Dragon Scroll and the Dragon Warrior, and basically said it changed nothing about himself, only how some people saw him. He had many thoughts, many questions swirling within his mind and heart, and his soul as well. Out of all, two things stuck the most.
I didn't depend entirely on Father or Po to build my self-confidence, or some stupid piece of paper! I did that on my own!
I'm just gonna keep being Po. And my friends and family are gonna keep being themselves. We'll keep believing in the us that believes in us, and continue creating our own power.
With those two thoughts, he stared at his paws. And with that, he began asking himself a very serious, conflicting question.
...If I'm not the Dragon Warrior...then who is Tai Lung?
Meanwhile, everyone had left the Imperial Palace already. The others went on ahead, while Po and Tigress walked at a more leisurely pace. The latter nodded. "I'm impressed, Po. Once again you don't cease to surprise us." Tigress smiled. They both stopped as Po turned towards her. Looking quite focused. "...Po? Is everything alright?" She asked, worried. Po didn't answer right away. "...P-"
"Tigress. Can I kiss you?"
"W-Wha?!" She babbled a bit, blushing at how sudden it was. Po blinked while rubbing his neck.
"Sorry. It's just...I dunno how this whole lover thing works. I know I said I was gonna improvise..."
"...Y...you don't need to ask." Tigress muttered, feeling somewhat brave for a moment. Though she quickly steeled herself and nodded, moving up to Po and lightly kissing him on the lips. She pulled away just a bit. Po lightly felt his lips for a moment, then looked her in the eyes. His own jade eyes gleamed with childlike curiosity, but the warmth and affection towards Tigress were certainly real.
"...Can we do it again?"
"Okay..." Tigress nodded softly as she pressed forth and kissed him again, lightly cupping his cheeks. Po returns it while having a paw around her waist. He swore her tail was waving up and down with delight, despite her own embarrassed blush. They pulled away once more, with Po looking adorably awkward and Tigress looking adorably embarrassed. "S-Sorry. I'm not really the best at this either."
"That's fine. We'll get better...I think. I dunno. We'll-"
"Improvise. I know." Tigress chuckled. They began moving again, but then Po yelped in surprise. Tigress turned towards him in worry again. "What is it?!"
"I dunno..." Po muttered with a confused pout as he rubbed his rear. "It's like, for a fraction of a second, something gave my butt a really firm squeeze. Maybe I imagined it...?"
Su Wu whistled innocently while picking apples from a cart, looking quite pleased with herself, as with Po's performance. Whether he knew it or not...Po was leading a new revolution for the World of Kung Fu.
...Perhaps that's what being the Dragon Warrior TRULY means...who knows?~
There's that outta the way. The true beginning of the new arc. Now like I said, I'll get as many chapters out for this as I can, before real life-probably-forces me on hiatus again. It really depends. Again, hopefully not on a cliffhanger. I'll try, guys. If it happens anyway, please forgive me in advance.
And I also promised the main cast, everyone will get something to do. I plan to follow through on that as best as I can.
Until next time, precious readers!