We had reached the bottom of the stairs at last! It was tiring to just slither down, what was I going to be like going back up? I'll pass out from exhustion! What idiot thought it was a smart idea to build a staircase that's nearly as big as a mountain? WHO!?
Okay now that I've vented, lets continue.
We decided to split up. Myself, Po and Mantis went straight down the middle road while everyone else decided to go right.
Po was eager to show me where he used to work before he became the Dragon Warrior. We walked through a circular archway further down the road and found several pigs and ducks sitting down eating noodles. Po took lead ahead of me and Mantis, who was standing on Po's shoulder. Po entered what I assumed was the kitchen and signalled for me to enter. As soon as I did, I was whacked on the head with a metal wok.
"AAHHH! MOTHER OF- FFJK"! I yelled in pain, ready to tear whoever hit me a new-
"Dad, its ok he's with me"! Po spoke before I could finish my thought.
"Oh my, I'm sorry Po. You know how I am around new people entering my kitchen". Po's dad spoke. I looked down and saw... Po's dad was a goose. Yeah, I'm not kidding. A goose! I take it that Po was adopted then though I didn't dare ask.
"Mike, This is my dad". Po introduced. The goose walked up to me and shook my tail with his wing.
"Hello there Mike. New in town I hear hmm"?
I nodded, keeping my eye on the wok he was still holding onto.
"Great, here's a coupon". I was passed a red coupon. "Be sure to use it during the lunch special".
I nodded again. "So what is you name"? I asked.
"I am Mr. Ping. Owner of the best noodle shop in town"! He proudly introduced. Mantis hopped onto my head and whispered.
"That's because it's the ONLY noodle shop in town, which technically makes it the worst as well".
I smirked upon hearing Mantis's comment.
"Would you like to try a bowl of noodle? Only three yuan a bowl. Chopsticks cost an extra yuan".
Though I didn't admit it, Mr. Ping reminded me a lot of Mr. Krabs from spongebob. A little cheap but at least he has feelings. I hope otherwise I can only imagine what Po had to go through.
"Hey guys, I'm just gonna help my dad out for a while. You two go on ahead".
"Sure thing buddy". Mantis replied. I then slithered out, taking Mantis along with me. Once we left the noodle shop behind, I rubbed my head which was throbbing.
"You alright there"? Mantis asked.
"Apart from being hit on the head with a wok? I'm fine".
"Hey, try taking a hit from a handbag from Crane's mom. THAT is painful".
"Mantis, you're like five inches tall at the most. Of course it would hurt". I argued.
"Trust me, I've been hit by metal objects softer".
I shrugged and continued my path until I reached the area where Hundun fought the Dragon warrior. And where I ran from Monkey. I laughed to myself from remembering it and carried on slithering until Mantis spoke again.
"So, Can I ask you something"?
"Sure, whats up Mantis".
"What were you doing in the Bamboo forest when you found Hundun"?
Strange, I never mentioned meeting Hundun in the Bamboo forest. How did he know about that? Still I prefered not to tell him the whole truth. Even if they did know about Oogway, the story would seem crazy enough to make anyone think of me as insane.
"I prefer to go out and see the world for myself sometimes". I said, unable to add on to my words.
"I... see". Mantis said suspiciously. Damn it, he's onto me. "Listen, I'm gonna head back and see if Po needs help with helping his father. See you later okay"?
"Sure thing Mantis". He then hopped off of my head and back into the centre of town. I knew that he was on his way to tell the others about me lying. My first thought would have normally been to run for it, but that would make me even more suspicious. I figured the best thing to do would be to explore the town a little more. I would deal with questions later.
1 HOUR LATER
I had more or less explored the town. It reminded me of a market place. Many animals would often come by, pulling along portable stalls and were persistant in getting me to buy their mechandise. Some offered fruit, others, good luck charms and so forth.
Before I had the chance to say no, I found Tigress walking up to me. I tried to remain calm, in case Mantis had actually told them about me lying about where I came from. Soon enough...
"We need to talk".
I sighed. "Go on then. Ask away".
"What are you hiding from us"? Her eyes narrowed as to really put me on edge. Seems that whatever small amount of trust she held for me was broken quickly. I still held my ground.
"I have nothing to hide that puts you or anyone in harms way if that's what you're asking". I responded.
"Then why do you insist on keeping it secret from the rest of us"?
"What happened before I came to the Valley of peace, I made the most difficult choice I was forced to make. That's all I have to say on the matter".
I couldn't help but remember being in Limbo with Oogway, the moment he offered me a chance to start fresh.
"You have no right to scavenge information about my personal life Tigress, I wouldn't try it with you".
"...Fine". She glared at me one last time and left me alone.
That was easier than I thought, except that I was probably back at square one with everyone, including Po, and the best part? I haven't even known any of them for a whole day. I'd like to know what else could possibly go wrong!
I decided to cut my tour of the Valley of peace short and made my way halfway up the stairway before becoming exhausted. Evil me had a point. Would it really kill someone to build an elevator?
It took a total of twelve minutes to reach the top of the staircase. I would have counted how many steps I climbed but lost count somewhere around eight hundred. I then headed over to the barracks. I needed to rest for a moment and get my bearings straight. I went into my room, closed the door and curled myself up on my bed as an actual snake would. From there, I thought about everything that had happened from being human, to where I was now. It was much to take in so... I shed a few tears. Maybe I would have been better off picking limbo.
After five or so minutes, I pulled myself together and sat up, lifting my head while remaining curled up. I soon heard someone enter and walk up to my room, knocked and spoke.
"Mike, buddy is everything okay"?
It was Po. Who else was that big both in height and width?
"I'm fine, just leave me be Po". I said with a noticable crack in my voice. However, Po didn't leave. Instead he opened the door and found me in the state I was in. My face still felt wet from crying earlier. Po sat down on the bed next to me. The bed sagged a lot from his weight.
"Listen, Mike. I heard that you and Tigress had a little... kerfuffle earlier. You don't need to be upset about it. Tigress yells at me three times a week. Four if I mess something up".
"It's not that Po. Its just... memories. Just memories. That's all".
"It's okay, I understand". Without realising it until it was too late, my anger rose.
"You understand? HOW CAN YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BE RIPPED APART FROM EVERYTHING YOU ONCE CARED ABOUT ONLY TO BE PLACED SOMEWHERE THAT I KNOW NEXT TO NOTHING ABOUT!? HOW"?!
I found my head was now staring down at Po. Then I realised what I had said upon seeing his face filled with shock from my outburst. I then lowered my body back down to his height and looked to the floor.
"I- I'm sorry Po. It's been a tough few days for me. Very tough".
I expected Po to leave. Instead I felt one of his fluffy hands pat me softly on the back.
"It's alright. I've gone through tough times too. I didn't even know anything about my real family until last year. They saved my life by giving up their own".
That made me feel guilty, I still kept silent, allowing Po's word to sink in. A few minutes of silence later, he patted me on the back and left. I looked up just to see him walk past the opening to my room. I then got up only to softly shut the door to my room, letting my feel miserable in peace.
No one else bothered to visit me thank God. I didn't think I would have the energy to yell at everyone for doing nothing but trying to help me out. During my little break down, I first tried to convince myself that this whole thing was Oogways fault, then Mantis, then Tigress and then Po. At that point I realised that the whole thing was my own fault. I left my room and slithered up a different staircase, one of two I had yet to travel. This one led me to a circular area which had a small tree growing from the soil. I looked over the edge of the circular area to see a steep cliff. I sighed and talked to the sky.
"Oogway, if you can hear me, I don't know if I can do this. Living here I mean. There is nothing here that can or ever will make me forget about the past. I... a sign to tell me what to do would be nice".
I felt like my plea was in vain. I took another look down at the cliff edge. I then suddenly felt wind rise into my face. It then blew in front of me, making my turn round lest I wanted my eyeballs to dry up. I then saw that the young peach tree had a peach growing from it! I could have sorn that it wasn't there before! I slithered over to inspect it closer and raised my slender tail to touch it. I only simply touched the bottom of the peach and it fell into my grasp. I looked up to the sky once more.
"Thanks Oogway". I looked back at the fruit, understanding that it was a sign for my to continue. "It means a lot". I was then about to take a bite from the fruit until I head someone coming up the stairs. I put the fruit under the tree and acted as though I hadn't heard a thing by staring out into the world.
I waited until the person was right behind me before giving any acnoledgement of their arrival. I turned round and surprisingly saw Viper. I thought it was going to be either Po, Tigress or even Shifu.
"I heard about what happened between you and Po". She said. A little insensitive but I ignored it and stayed silent, making things awkward.
"Is there anything you need"? She asked kindly. I shook my head back and forth, keeping my back to her. Not unless she could find a way for me to get back home where I belong. I heard Viper sigh behind me.
"Mike, everyone knows you're hiding something. We just don't want to see you act this way. Maybe it would be easier to just talk to us. Please"?
I kept silent for a little while longer until I heard her turning round to leave. I then spoke.
"I wouldn't know where to begin even if I could".
This got her to stop for a moment. I waited until she spoke again.
"Give yourself time and you will".
That was all she said before leaving me alone. A few minutes later, I was about to leave as well until I remembered the fruit under the tree. I picked it up from under the tree just before the thing split itself in half. I then heard a familiar voice in my head.
"An open mind will release the sweetness within one's soul".
Perhaps it's time to make a proper start in this world.

...

Sorry, this was meant to be posted yesterday but the internet had been down since saturday. As you can tell, things are getting a little emotional for Mike. It will remain that way for perhaps the next chapter or two, I'm not too sure yet. But for now, I hope you enjoyed reading. Cheerio