The New Life of Po
I do not own KUNG FU PANDA
"Why do you keep using black wolves?" Demi asked.
"To be... perfectly honest, I like the whole dog vs cat thing. Hmmm, maybe I should use something else, but what?"
"A mouse?"
"Too small."
"A gazelle?"
"Too common."
"A lamb?" I paused. "You've used it before."
"Hmmm." I shook my head, "Nah, too small."
"A lion?"
"No," I said firmly.
"A black panther?"
My eyes lid up. "Hmmmmm."
*******F*******
The young black panther tilted his head. The large ursine warrior sighed as his jade eyes looked over the misty mountain range. Towards the east behind those clouds laid a land his eyes could see but his feet could not touch. The panther's voice called him back to reality. "What do you mean your name isn't Master Yin? (Yin can mean hidden) I mean, I know Master isn't really your name, but..."
"I made the name up. I... might be a wanted criminal to some people. Especially other masters," The bear sighed. He looked at his young apprentice, draped in a small browning tattered robe, patched together at the legs. Master Yin furrowed his eyebrows, saying, "But you can't go to the tournament, Xiwang." (Which means hope).
"Why not?" the feline huffed.
"Because someone may trace you back to me," Master Yin sighed. "I don't know why they're doing a tournament, though. They never had it while I was there."
"You lived n the Valley of Peace?! Why are you so far west?"
"Because I had to... otherwise... things were... complicated," The bear muttered, glancing around the room. Master Yin's small shack-like house only held one place for anyone to sleep. Right next to the bed was a small table for tea and meals. Other than that, the "house" was very empty, save for a few posters of fighting warriors here and there and five strange dolls that were on the window still. Xiwang's master insisted they were action figures of his "younger youth."
Xiwang looked at his master's form. The panda's dark red cloak went everywhere with him, and he hid his head whenever he traveled with Xiwang outside of their small village. Xiwang never really understood why his master was so persistent in keeping it; it looked like any other cloak.
Master Yin walked to the door jamb, leaning against it. "I haven't been back in years, though. The people who would be looking for me might be..." He trailed off, shutting his eyes. "But I don't know if you're ready for this fight. You might lose."
"So!?" Xiwang popped up like a cork. Yin turned back. "I have to go! It's going to be so awesome, Master Yin! Grandmaster Tigress and all the former Furious Five members are going to be there! I can't miss another one!"
Yin rose his eyebrow. "Another one? They have these tournaments often?"
"Only yearly, which is why I have to go!" The black panther bowed onto the ground. "Please let me enter the Jade Palace Youth Tournament! You've taught me a lot and I know even though I might not win, I'll do my best! A warrior never quits! I promise Master Yin, I will not quit!"
The ursine master stared at his pupil. He smiled, "You remind me a lot of myself when I was younger, Xiwang."
"I don't care if I win. I'm gonna give it my all, Master Yin!"
"Po."
Xiwang blinked as his brain stopped. "Wh-what?"
"My name... is Po," The panda sighed. "I am Po Lotus Ping. It came from my father."
"Mr. Ping? The... goose that sells noodles down at our village?"
"The same, well the Lotus part is from my other dad."
"Mr. Li-Shan?" Po nodded. "Whoa! That's cool! Soooooo... can I go?"
Po smiled and sighed. "You can go." Xiwang bounced up and nearly ran out the door. Po pulled him back by the collar of his robe. "But before you do, make sure that you don't tell anyone my name real name. And... if the old Grandmaster Shifu is there, you mention nothing about me, understand?"
"Wh-Why?"
"I... maybe sorta did something that wasn't really awesome... to... his uh... anyway, you're not old enough to know."
"Aww man!"
"Heh, go get your stuff. And have my dads make you some new clothes. You're gonna need something a little better than your rags."
"But..." The young panther slowly lowered his face, darting his eyes and drooping his ears.
The panda smiled, "I know they're the last thing you have to remember your parents, but you don't want them to get ripped to shreds by the dudes that you'll be fighting, right?"
"Oh! That's right!" Xiwang perked up.
"Hehe, now go get that new clothing."
"Thank you! Thank you, Master Yin... uh... I mean."
"You can still call me Master Yin. It's better that way," Po smiled. The 5'7" panther beamed back and ran down the grassy hill into the little valley. But a small frown crawled across the panda's lips. "I don't have a bad feeling about this, but... I still feel... scared. Ah, he'll be fine... I think." Po shook his head and walked back into his hut.
Xiwang darted through the village's dirt roads. Wooden houses with clothing strings decorated the air above the widest road that could only hold two carts at a time. The small village was only a few tens of houses, but the young panther was born and raised here. Xiwang ran on all fours to the noodle shop. The smell of noodles wasn't in the air, just the fresh dew of the morning grass that flooded around the hills. "Mr. Ping! Mr. Li-Shan!"
"Shhh! Quiet, Xiwang," said the old goose. "I'm busy trying to win my favorite hat back from this old tart."
"You're gonna have to find the right spot fast enough, old friend," The large panda grinned. They were playing Wei Qi.
"Heh, more like an old enemy," Mr. Ping quacked. Suddenly, the goose slammed down a black stone. "Ha! Game!"
"Huh? Argh! How did I miss that!"
The goose snatched his old noodle hat from the panda's side. "Maybe you should be better with your strategy, old friend."
"Hmph."
"Soooo are you guys done? Cuz I need a new set of clothes," Xiwang eagerly bounced.
"Why?" Li-Shan asked as he picked up his mug.
"I'm going to fight in the Jade Palace Youth tournament!" Mr. Ping and Li-Shan dropped the wooden mugs, spilling water onto the Wei Qi board. Their eyes shot wide open while their jaws fell. "What, what's wrong?"
"The... the Jade Palace? Master Yin is letting you go there?" Mr. Ping asked.
"Y-yeah?" Xiwang stuttered. "He... also told me his real name. Po, was it? Do you guys know why he changed it?"
The goose and panda shared a glance. Li-Shan rocked back in his chair, sighing, "It's... complicated."
"Awww, but I want to know."
"You will when you're older. Heh, you'll probably know when you get there," The panda sighed. Before Xiwang could ask, Li-Shan clapped his hands together. "Alright! Let's get you some food, water, and a new pair of clothes."
"Help me with the food part, will ya? I need some hands in the kitchen," Mr. Ping smirked.
"Yes sir!" The black panther quickly walked to the kitchen, leaving the two fathers at the table.
"Do you think Po will be safe?" Li-Shan whispered to Mr. Ping. "It's pretty easy to tell who Xiwang's been trained by."
"You worry too much about Po's safety."
"You don't worry enough."
"I know that I can't keep hovering around my little panda." Mr. Ping paused, "And besides, aren't you curious to figure out whatever happened to... them?"
"No," Li-Shan growled just a tad. "If it weren't for-"
"You know it's not anyone's fault."
Li-Shan sighed, "You're right. Let's get the boy ready. I'm sure he's just as eager as we are."
CRASH!
"Oops! Sorry!" Xiwang called from the back.
"Just like his teacher," Mr. Ping sighed with a smile.
A whole week was spent getting the black panther ready for his trip. The little village gave all they could to him. Soon, it was time to leave, and Po sat him down. "If you walk, it should take you about two or three days to get to the Valley of Peace. Make sure you're paying attention. Don't talk to strangers and remember your training when you're jumped by bandits."
"You mean if?"
"No, when," Po said firmly. Then he smiled a bit. "You look nice though." A purple loose sleeve-less vest hung around the panther's shoulders. His torso stood against the elements like his teacher if he didn't always have the cloak on him. Dark purple ankle and forearm wrappings on his body complemented his black pants. "Now, how do you feel about the whole thing?"
"Excited! Stoaked! Feeling like I want to pee!" Xiwang fidgeted. Po smiled widely. "But I am still curious why you won't come with me."
"Because it's for your safety as well as mine... okay, mostly mine," Po chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "But remember, do your absolute best. And-"
"Be the best me I can be. I will remember, Master Yin."
"Good," Po bowed before his pupil. Xiwang suddenly ran up and hugged the panda. Po smiled and hugged him back. "Hehe, knock them dead, Xiwang. Well, not literally, but... you know what I mean."
"Thank you, Master Yin."
"One more thing," Po called out. He paused for a while before sighing, "If... you do meet Grandmaster Tigress, tell me how she's doing and if she seems... different."
"Different how?"
"Trust me. You'll know," Po said ominously.
"Oh uh... okay."
Po smiled, "Be safe, my pupil."
"I'll try my best, Master." With that, the black panther waved everyone goodbye and traveled up the grassy elevation surrounding the village. He journeyed on, around barren mountains and through wet valleys. At night, he would look at the stars, remembering what his parents told him.
Each star has a purpose. Otherwise, it wouldn't exist. We all have a purpose, even if we don't see it.
When they died, Xiwang began questioning what his purpose was. The moment Master Yin adopted him into his family, he felt like he regained that purpose. Xiwang stood up, still gazing at the stars. "I'm gonna give it my best, Master Yin. I'll make you proud."
Soon, he moved the last bamboo reed out of the way and saw it. "Whoa! AWESOME!" The whole village of the Valley of Peace basked in the sun rising high above the clouds. Towards the cloud-piercing mountain was the Jade Palace, dazzling in its green splendor. Xiwang walked on, down into the village where ducks, pigs, and bunnies busily offered mangos, grapes, and dumplings. "Oh, uh... thank you, but uh. I don't have much money. I'm sorry." Posters for the tournaments were all around, and it seemed the village cashed in on the visiting opponents.
But there were other dangers. The panther ambled through the busy streets until a hand grabbed his pack and darted into the alley. "HEY!" Xiwang chased after them.
The crook wore a hood and darted behind another wall. He looked around the corner.
"Heh, I lost him."
"Guess again, buddy." The crook looked up and saw the black panther peering down on him from the house below. He jumped off and stood several heads taller than the crook. "Now, give me back my pack."
But the crook whistled and out of the dark corners of the alley, more hooded figures surrounded Xiwang. "I'm afraid you're gonna have to go through all of us."
Xiwang sighed, "I hate it when Master Yin is right." He got ready in a stance, balling his fists in front of him. The first knifed thief lunged at him. Xiwang caught his cloak by the neck, whirled him around, and tossed him into the other side of the circle. While the others were distracted, Xiwang took the pack and darted out of the alleyway. "See you later, guys!"
"After him!"
Xiwang stumbled into the limelight of the streets and ran towards the Jade Palace mountain. "Sorry, pardon! Excuse me!" He burrowed his way through carts, jumping onto the roofs if he had to. The hooded bandits were still after him, sprinting along the rooftops. Xiwang jumped over the last vendor but tripped and stumbled onto the ground, right at the foot of the mountain. "Ah! Argh."
"End of the line for you, squirt."
"What do you mean?" Xiwang grunted and jumped to his feet. "I was just trying to get you guys in place."
"What are you talking about?"
"I think he means us," said a voice behind Xiwang. The thieves and panther looked and there stood a buffalo, a tall slender lizard, a large gorilla, and a raven on the last steps of the mountain. The thieves stumbled back.
"It's the Furious Five!"
Xiwang narrowed his eyes. "But... there's four of-"
"HIYA!" Faster than Xiwang could blink, a furry flash of black and white shot by him and kicked the lead thief, the one that stole his backpack, down to the ground. A black and white tiger with fierce amber eyes balled her fists, shouting to the rest. "Bring them down!"
"On it, Ai." The Furious Five charged at the thieves. Xiwang quickly shook out of his shock when a bandit clasp him with a knife to Xiwang's throat.
"Nobody move or the kitten gets it!" The Furious Five stopped.
"Really?" Xiwang sighed, "You're taking me as a hostage?"
"Shut up or-" Before he could finish, Xiwang took the thief's arms, kicked his leg, slid underneath him, and flipped the criminal onto his back, placing a foot on his chest. "What the?"
"You were saying?" The buffalo of the group grabbed the hooded thief and threw him into a cart heading to the jail. While the cart was wheeled away, Xiwang collected himself and threw his pack onto his back.
"Are you okay?" The buffalo asked.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm okay," Xiwang sighed. "Don't worry about me. I get taken hostage a lot of time."
"You did a good job stopping him," said the female raven.
"Um... thanks."
"Can we skip the small talk?" The young tiger groused. "We have to get back to the Jade Palace."
"What's the rush, Ai?" Said the lizard. "You know, you could live a little in the village. Get to know the locals."
Ai rolled her eyes. "We have to enter the Jade Palace Youth Tournament, remember?"
"No, you have to enter it. You always win against us," said the buffalo.
"I'm a Kung Fu warrior. What do you expect? I take my training seriously," Ai said.
"Too seriously," Muttered the lizard.
"Wait, you all are the Furious Five?" Xiwang asked. "That's so cool! My master told me all about you guys and your masters!"
"Your master?" The raven asked in a kind voice. "You know Kung Fu? Then you must be here for the tournament, too." Xiwang eagerly nodded. "Well, then we should introduce ourselves. I'm Nu Wuya. The buffalo is Wang."
"'Sup."
"The gorilla is Zhang. He's a bit of a big softie."
"Wuya!" The gorilla griped, more flustered than genuinely upset.
"Hehe, I'm sorry, Zhang."
"I'm Li," Said the lizard. "I'm sure that you've heard of me since I've trained under the great Master Mantis."
"Uh I've heard of Master Mantis, but... not you... Sorry?" Xiwang said.
"Oh," Li grumbled.
"Aww, the lizard got his pride hurt," Wang the buffalo laughed.
"Shut up! It's not like you and Master Monkey are well-known. The only one that's the most famous is Ai." The lizard pointed to the spot she was in but they quickly found her walking back up the stairs. "Hey! Ai! Where are you going?"
"I'm going back to train. I have to get ready for the tournament."
"Oh! Can I come with you?" Xiwang eagerly said. The tiger glared down on the black panther. "Uh... just to... um... see."
"He's gonna have to come up the stairs eventually, Ai," The female raven said, landing on Ai's shoulder. "It doesn't make sense to kick him out."
"I know another person who just wanted to see."
"Oh no, are you still upset that you lost to Egun?" Sighed Li, flicking his lizard tongue. "It was just one time."
"One time that I don't want to repeat," Ai grumbled.
"I'd love to come and see the Jade Palace. Please! I promise I'll be good," Xiwang pled, bowing his head below his folded praying hands.
The tiger crossed her arms. "The Jade Palace isn't a place for visitors."
"...Then why is the tournament happening AT the Jade Palace?" Xiwang asked.
"Because it... urgh, fine," Ai muttered. "But you guys are keeping an eye on him." She marched on. Nu Wuya fluttered off her shoulder and onto Zhang, the gorilla.
"She's... intense," Xiwang commented.
"She's a lot nicer when you get to know her, I promise," Zhang said. "She's just really hoping to win the tournament."
"Oh, why?"
"She has a lot of pressure to win since she's the daughter of Grandmaster Tigress."
Continued...