Hey ho everybody! Sorry for the wait. I can assure you this chapter is worth it. I'm also pleased to announce that I have a basic outline for how I want this story to go. All I can say is get ready for the new chapters going forward, cuz this shit's about to get interesting.
Footrot Flats: No I wasn't, but that's some coincidence that you and Ryan would be the same age. Also thanks.
Ke-Pa: Probably so.
Markens: Haha yeah. I think that would probably be Tai Lung's thing.
SpiritChannelerJosh: Thanks and tbh I think she'd probably find Soul Caliber to be rather strange, because of all the colorful characters. As for God of War (which I believe you're referring to the PS4 reboot) IDK. I've never played it so I wouldn't know either. A game she'd probably like would be Virtua Fighter 5 and/or Street Fighter V.
Chapter VI: Pains of the Past
A few hours went by as Ryan tried his damnedest to teach Tigress how to play GTA all while teaching her how to use the controller.
And Tigress tried her damnedest to get the hang of the controls, but to no avail.
She ended up learning how to get in an automobile. Considering the fact that one button was all you needed to press, it was rather easy.
Driving it though…
Yeah. Tigress made Ryan's in game driving look much more better. And Ryan really sucked at driving in these type of games. So Tigress would just run into practically everything until the vehicle would catch on fire and explode due to the immense damage. But hey, at least she managed not to hit anybody. Tigress ain't about vehicular homicide.
Ryan's in-game currency for Trevor's character started off with $10,894,682 and as one should know, every time you die in GTA V you respawn at the hospital and lose $5,000.
Ryan's in game currency now is $8,408,259
Ryan thanked the lord the autosave wasn't enabled.
"Hey Tigress?"
"Yes?"
"You wanna watch Blade Runner now?"
"I thought you'd never ask. I don't think I can get the hang of this Gee Tee Ayy Five."
Tigress handed Ryan the controller and he closed the GTA V application and took the disc out. He placed it back in it's case and went back over to his room to get his copy of Blade Runner: The Final Cut.
As Ryan went back into the living room he saw Tigress walk up to him.
"Ryan, we're going to have to postpone the Blade Runner. It's getting pretty late."
"Really? It's not even dark out. I mean it's nearly sunset, but it's not exactly what I'd call late."
"Yes, but I prefer to sleep early so I can wake up early for training."
"Training?"
"Yes. I was going to ask you this earlier, but I still need to maintain my stamina and strength. Is it okay if I train here?"
"Uhm...I mean…this isn't exactly a training hall, but...I guess I can make room for you, it's just...why do you need to train? I'm pretty sure you're good enough."
"One can never be just good enough. Forgive me if I seem a little assertive, but I need to train and meditate if I am to achieve inner peace."
"W-wait? You haven't achieved inner peace?"
This was certainly news for Ryan. As it is established in Kung Fu Panda 2, inner peace can only be achieved by going deep into your darkest memories and finding peace from all the pain and suffering. With all the suffering that this poor girl went through in her childhood at the orphanage, Ryan was certain that she should have achieved inner peace by now.
"No...why do you seem surprised?"
"It's just that...uh...you know with all of the adventures and battles you've faced, I'd assume you'd have achieved something as huge as inner peace by now…"
"I'm grateful for your compliment, but...how do you know what inner peace is?"
"Oh. Well..uhh...inner peace is also a thing in this world too."
"Really? I guess I shouldn't be surprised. After all, this world also has noodles, tofu and kung fu. I probably wouldn't be surprised if this world also had its own version of China."
"Yeah...heh…umm. So. If you need anything I'll be in my room. Just knock."
"Thank you, but I'm just going to get some sleep."
"Okay then."
Ryan switched off the PS4 and unplugged the TV.
"Goodnight, Tigress."
"Goodnight."
Ryan flashed a smile and then went inside his room, closing his door.
He rubbed his eyes. Part of him still couldn't believe what was going on. Part of him believed that he was still dreaming and that the second he'll wake up, she'll be gone. Oh well. Guess he's just going to have to find out in the morning if he's a schizo. Ryan laid on his bed and thought to himself about today's peculiar events.
A small part of him hopes that this isn't a dream.
Only one way to find out.
Ryan closed his eyes and drifted off with ease into a much needed sleep.
POV: TIGRESS
Today has been probably one of the most stressful, yet intriguing days I've ever had. This world most certainly wasn't the Spirit Realm. I think I would have known that by now.
I have more questions than I do answers. That's going to have to change soon.
This Ryan...there's something...off...about him. I mean, obviously, he is a man whose species I've never heard of nor seen before. But... there's something more to him. Like he's hiding something deep inside him. Something other than his unfortunate loss of his loved one.
I still couldn't believe I showed affection to a man who has killed another. Even if it was self defense, back in the Valley if I had heard someone had killed someone, they'd be in prison by now...yet...for the first time in my life...his act of killing...felt….
...justified….
I can't even imagine the rage I'd feel if someone did that to one of the Five…
...or Po...
...or...
...Fa-….Master...
He's gone through so much, yet...his attitude…
He's nice. He's polite. He's caring. He's comforting. He's friendly.
The only one he ever loved is dead and yet even though that scar never healed, his presence is soothing to be around…
I feel ashamed…
I've been through a lot with my childhood, but I never lost someone close to me, aside from my parents...but could I really say they were close?
I was only ever bullied and I never had many friends back at the orphanage...yet...my attitude towards my friends…it's unacceptable.
Why am I realizing this now?
Why couldn't I realize it then?
Why...
...
Why hasn't Ryan found a way back to the Jade Palace yet?
Okay, Tigress calm down. It hasn't even been a day yet. He probably needs time. If anything however, I'll ask him about it tomorrow.
But for now…
Lotus position...and…
"Inner peace."
Inhale through the nose…
Exhale through the mouth…
"Inner peace."
"Father?"
Here they come…
"Father? Why must I learn Kung Fu? Why can't I go out and play like the other kids?"
"Inner peace…"
"What did you just call me?"
"Inner peace…"
"When you address me, you address me as Master! Don't EVER call me that again! Do you understand?!"
"Inner peace…"
"You didn't have to hit me like that…"
"Inner...peace…"
"Why are you crying?! Stop that! A True Warrior never cries!"
"Inner…."
"A True Warrior has no need for such petty emotions."
"...Peace…"
"I said stop crying!"
"I can't help it…"
"Inner…"
"Force yourself to hold it back or you will always be weak! What good is learning to control your strength if you're riddled with weakness?!"
"I-in..inner…"
"Emotional outbursts like that is what sent Tai Lung to Chor-Gom! Do you want to end up like him?!"
"Inner…."
"Stop crying and act like the Kung Fu master you were MEANT to be!"
"Shifu, my friend, you shouldn't be so hard on the poor girl."
"Master Oogway, with all due respect, I know what I am doing. I am preventing another Tai Lung from happening."
"All you're doing is making sure another Tai Lung is happening."
"Master Oogway please. Let me handle her the way I see fit."
"I know you still feel awful about Tai Lung's fate, but there's no reason to take out your anger on her."
"I'm not. I'm molding her into the perfect warrior. Strong, Decisive, Elegant and above all…"
"...peace."
"Disciplined."
Ryan's POV
I can't sleep...
Ugh...my mouth is dry again.
Fuck, I hate this. Every fuckin night.
Might as well get up and get a drink from the fridge. Hopefully I still have a few more of those peach juice cartons left.
I should probably do this quietly. I'm no expert on meditation, but I'm pretty sure you need total silence.
I gently opened my door, not a single squeak. I'm really glad I oiled the hinges a week ago. Ever so quietly I tiptoed out into the living room. I could hear Tigress practicing her inner peace. Should I?...
Oh, what the hell. One little peek.
She seems really concentrated. Best to not make any noise; as if I couldn't emphasize that enough...
Wait a minute…
Why is she clenching her paws like that?
Boy...she must be reminiscing some bad memories to make a fist like that.
Wait...is she….bleeding?
Oh my God, she's clenching her fists too hard!
THIRD PERSON POV
Ryan quickly ran to Tigress and tried to snap her out of her meditative trance.
"Tigress!"
Her eyes snap open. Enraged.
She instinctively and swiftly sweeps her leg under Ryan's and brings him to the ground on his face. She grabs him by the shoulders, claws extended out. Pinning him to the floor.
"Why did you interrupt my meditation?!"
"Tigress! Ah! Your paws!"
"What about them?!"
"Look at them!"
She gazes at her bloodied paw. She looks at her other paw. More blood. She looks at Ryan's shirt, bloody paw prints stain it.
"H-...how…?"
Ryan groans…
"You were clenching your fists. Hard."
Tigress gets up off of Ryan and helps him up.
"Forgive me. I don't know what got into me."
"That's okay, here, lemme see."
Ryan takes her paws in his hands and examines them.
"Well the cuts aren't that deep, but still, we gotta stop the bleeding."
"It's okay. I've had worse."
"Still. We don't want these to get infected."
Tigress sighs.
"Fine. Do what you need to do."
"Thank you. Follow me."
Ryan powerwalks over to the bathroom with Tigress behind him. He grabs a bottle of Isopropyl Alcohol and bandage wraps.
"Okay, put your paws over the sink. I'm gonna pour this on them. It'll help fight infection."
She holds her open paws over the sink.
"Okay...this might sting a little."
Ryan pours a few shots worth onto Tigress' cuts. She flinches a little, hissing through her teeth.
"Okay. Now lemme put the bandages on."
Ryan rips apart two separate bandages then wraps them around each of her paws. Looking like Tigress is wearing sports tape on her fists. Ryan then ties them in place so they can hold in place.
"There."
"Um...thank you…I... I'm sorry for uhm...sweeping under you and uh pinning you to the ground like that."
"That's okay. Remind me not to piss you off."
"Trust me, I will."
Did-- Did she just make a joke?
"Ha! I'm sure...uhm...so...perhaps it'd be best you lay off the meditation. Just for a while. That alright?"
Tigress sighs again.
"I suppose so. Thanks again, Ryan."
"Just being a good host to my honored guest."
Ryan could swear he saw a tiny smile escape her lips.
Ryan's ocean blue eyes met Tigress' fiery amber eyes. Both of them were lost in each other's gaze.
"You know...I never noticed just how bright your eyes glowed in the dark. It's beautiful really…"
"You really think so?..."
"Yeah...Uhm! Uh. I mean. Yes. Ahem. Well I'll be going back to bed now. Goodnight, Tigress."
Ryan nervously power walked back into his room before Tigress could object.
Ryan's heart raced in his chest. Why did he say that? What was wrong with him? Tigress could have put him down right then and there if he wasn't careful.
Just go back to sleep.
…
…
Dammit...mouth is still dry…
In his haste Ryan forgot to nab a drink.
Well he can't go back out there now. Lest it get even more awkward.
Welp. Guess it's another rough night.
And all Ryan could say was
"Shit…"
And cut! That wraps up Chapter 6. Thank you for all your support. Again, it means a lot. By the way. If anyone just so happens to read this and wants to make their own KFP fanfic with this concept. I won't stop you. In fact I support the idea. Hell, maybe I'll read and review it myself. Feel free to make your own story based on my concept. Hell, we can use more stories like this. As much as I love the "Human In KFP World Portal Fantasy" fics (I legit can't get enough of em) I must say some of them aren't all that well written and borderline on formulaic. They certainly have potential, but most of em are so by the numbers that you'd think they were written by MCU writers. What this fandom needs in terms of Fanfiction are more original OC x Tigress stories and less TiPo fluff. More dramatic storytelling is also needed. Kung Fu Panda is at the Top 20 for most fics on this website and I know we can make more quality content. I don't want to have to wait until KFP 4 comes out for a resurgence in fics. We should be upping our game here. We also could use more Human Portal Fantasies, but instead, try and make them more original, subvert expectations (in a good way) play around and experiement with the Portal Fantasy genre. (I'm going on a semi-rant here pls forgive me)
I really love this fandom, and I just want to see less TiPo one shots and more Adventure oriented stories. Stories like AC-Drummer's "The Drummer", DinAHLOO's "Tigress Tides Roll In" (holy fuck that one got me in the feels), chachingmel123's "The Dark Panda" (TFW no update), M4dG4rl's "The Legend of the Dragon and the Tiger" (TFW still no update) or TaciturnWacther's "A Second Story" (a fanfic that pulls at my heart strings so fucking much that I still haven't finished it because I'm genuinely scared of finding out how it's going to end) Quality shit right there. I love writing and I love fanfiction. I just want the best for this fandom because I genuinely love it. So there...whew…
Chapter Seven coming when it's done...