Chapter 14
"Hey, watch it Po!" A customer warned when he knocked into a table.
"Oh, sorry. Suck it up-" He tried to suck in his rotund belly as best he could; but he got stuck between two tables. There was a snicker coming from somewhere in the restaurant, but he chose to ignore it, and tried to lift himself free, however- in said attempt, his tail fell into a soup bowl, and the children, who sat directly behind him, started to wail. Po turned in horror, seeing the kids who were admiring Jian only ten minutes ago. "Oops, so sorry! A thousand pardons-"
Another gong sounded off mid apology, and his attention switched very quickly, seeing a group of palace staff in front of him, unraveling what looked like a poster. "Can we put this up?" One of the ducks asked... while the other put it up anyway. Po blinked slowly, almost forgetting he still had two bowls of noodles in his paws, before answering him with a slowly drawn out 'sure'. "Thank you. Master Jian said it would be okay." He was handed a piece of parchment as they left, before he could ask what it was.
He glanced down at the note.
Change of plans Po.
Hope it's okay to put up the poster. I said it would be, if your dad ask- my fault.
I'll be up in the Palace.
Get up here before the gates close and get a seat!
Jian.
A seat?
Looking back up towards the poster, he saw the symbols of his all time favorite heroes striking their battle poses. "What?!" He started reading the poster excitedly. "Master Oogway's choosing the Dragon Warrior. Today!"
What if it's Jian?! How awesome would that be?!
He settled the bowls aside and got the attention of the patrons in the restaurant. "Hey everyone! Everyone! Go, get to the Jade Palace now! One of the Masters are going to get the Dragon Scroll!" He started ushering the customers out as quick as he could. Mr. Ping could hear all the excitement and commotion, and glanced out from behind the order counter.
"What is that boy up to..." He muttered, putting down the knife, and waddling to the door.
"We've been waiting a thousand years for this — just take the bowl!" He shoved the bowl into the diner's chest, before running to another customer counting his coins. "This is the greatest day in Kung Fu history! Don't worry about it, just go!" He made his way out the restaurant.
"Po! Where are you going?" He forgot about his dad. In a sad attempt to hide his dismay, he turned back to his father, while slowly inching out the entrance.
"To the... Jade Palace?..." He said with a sheepish grin.
"But you're forgetting your noodle cart!" He then pushed out the dreadfully heavy-looking cart towards him, and Po could feel a groan of annoyance trying to get out from between his teeth. "The whole Valley will be there, and you'll sell noodles to all of them!"
"Selling noodles?" The goose nodded happily. "But Dad, I was kinda thinking maybe I could—"
"Yeah?"
"You know maybe just go and support..."
"Uh-huh?"
Again, Po couldn't bring himself to disappoint his dad, "the business even more by selling the bean buns. They're-they're about to go bad..."
The goose leapt into his arms happily, as Po returned the hug. "That's my boy! I told you that dream was a sign! "
In the arena just below the Palace, staff were preparing for the tournament. Firecrackers were going off while streamers wove through the air as children played and declared themselves as legendary warriors.
"I WILL BE THE DRAGON WARRIOR!" Cried one.
"ME TOO!" Declared the other.
The villagers streamed into the arena, all chattering among themselves excitedly... and Po, was a-l-l the way back down at the first of the thousand steps that led to the village. He stared, open mouthed. His worst enemy was right before him, Jian would joke about it during their walks in the village.
"What a daunting challenge to bestow on our local hero!" Po never took offence to it obviously- Jian would never have meant it in a bad way. "Will he be brave enough to walk it?"
"Would this mean I meet the Furious Five?!"
The younger Jian beside him would flash a grin. "Maybe. If they're back." At this point, the five were away on a mission, so there was a small chance of him meeting them.
Po remembered looking up at those steps each time they walked by them, thinking today would be the day he would try to walk up them. But it only took a minute or so before he nearly keeled over... the furthest he made was about ten steps.
Today was the day. He thought to himself bravely. He closed his mouth with a nervous gulp, and began ascending the stairs- but was painfully hindered by the blasted cart. Villagers waltzed by, not helping him with the progress.
Some time passed, and Po was still dragging the cart up behind him, until he hit the steps in exhaustion, mentally deciding to take a well deserved breather, flopping on his back. "I'm... almost there... huh?" He sat up. He only made it up seven steps. No! Oh noooo! You gotta be kidding me!"
Two pig villagers stopped by to see him wallow in defeat. "Sorry, Po." One said piteously.
"We'll let Jian know you can't make it, and get you a souvenir." They continue up the steps, as Po rolled onto his knees, staring after them, before nodding in determination.
"No... I'll bring me back a souvenir!" He said, tossing the hat and apron off to the side. Leaving the cart where it was, he raced up the steps as quickly as he could.
Jian watched from the platform Shifu, Oogway and Azure would sit when the events take place, watching the preparations being made. Shifu was not far behind him, but was busy ordering some servants to do something else for him. Jian to one of the palace staff behind him quickly, ears pierced against his head. "Can you get a fourth chair please?" He requested as three seats with situated precisely behind him.
"Yes Master Jian." The pig bowed and trotted off as Azure made it to the top step. He greeted her with a respectful 'madam', before moving down the steps. Azure nodded back at him, before turning her gaze to Jian.
Her cloak had been left in the bunkhouse when she got to see Tigress and the others for the first time in years, which allowed her light short sleeved purple kimono with white cherry blossoms to be seen. "Will your friend from the village coming to see you compete?" A question was tossed into the air, before looking at the gates. The children laughed and called their parents to hurry up as the villagers continued to flow through the door.
Jian shrugged. "If he can make it," he saw that gleam in her eye, and a knowing smile- one that was almost taunted him, was upon her muzzle. He smiled back, now knowing what it was about. "That's good... he'll love to see the Five."
"Is that why you asked for a fourth seat?" Jian's smile grew into a frown very quickly.
"Who said I was going to compete?" Turning on his heel as Azure's face fell to a look of confusion, she followed him as he paced along the edge.
"I thought you would be," she began, but he held a paw up to stop her from talking any further, still not looking at her.
"Isn't my place."
"And why not?"
"What's the point? Unless you tell me I'll be chosen, I don't see why I should-" she tried to argue, but he, in return, turned around and raised a brow towards her, not impressed. "You know what's going to happen, so why not tell me?"
"I can't, it'll spoil the fun." He narrowed his eyes as that smile returned, and she knew it peed him off big time. Acting like a bully who would smirk at their intended victim, or the annoying kid who always 'knew something that you don't know'.
"Fine, I won't take part unless you tell me where I stand in this."
Azure thought about for a moment, and then sighed in defeat. "Fine," her voice dropped to a whisper. "It won't be you," he had a gut feeling it was coming, but couldn't help feeling annoyed, and somewhat disappointed with himself. Then it had to be Tigress, he thought. "But- you should still complete."
A huff escaped his throat. "And why is that?"
Azure pointed behind them, and he turned to see Shifu, back facing them, as he waited for Oogway, who was walking down the steps, both sides of him aligned with bowing ducks. Jian wasn't sure what Azure meant, and looked back for another subtle hint.
"Ever since your first mission," she began, "it's been your goal to show everyone what you're really made of, and to make a name for yourself, at every single opportunity you got." That's one way of describing it... "I promise you Jian... that image of him, is wearing off of your person. Has been for a while now." A paw gripped his shoulder tightly, to make sure she had every second of his attention. "Besides... why should you waste the opportunity to show off?" They both shared a smirk this time, and by this point, the servant had returned with the chair, but by seeing their expressions involved in the conversation, he snuck away with it before he was noticed.
"It is an historic day — isn't it, Master Oogway?" Shifu said as the turtle closed in on him. Jian had already left the platform, with Azure smiling after him, before rotating towards the older Masters and strolled over.
"Yes, and one I feared I would not live to see... are your students ready?"
Shifu's arms linked behind his back. "Yes, Master Oogway."
Oogway nodded, before noticing Azure closing in on them. "Now know this, old friend. Whomever I choose will not only bring peace to the Valley, but also to you..." his finger moved close enough to gently tap Shifu on the chest, before he walked off, and greeted Azure again briefly, leaving Shifu to ponder what the turtle's words would mean, before he caught up with them, as a pig whacked the gong in his hoof.
"Let the tournament, begin!" He announced, as the crowd let a roar of cheers and applause.
Outside the arena, a black paw heavily planted itself on the final step. Po heaved himself over onto his back; out of breath, but punched the air at his victory of making it to the top, and perfect timing, cos the doors were closing.
Wait. THE DOORS WERE CLOSING!
Po scrambled to his feet and made a run for the door. "No no no, wait... I'm coming! I'm-" The doors were closed just as he rammed into them. "Owww..." He hit the ground with a thud, giving himself a chance to come around from what could've been a minor concussion, as the tournament music started up, and when that came crawling through his ears, he was up, and pummeling the barrier with both fists. "Hey, open the door!" It was no use; a row of pigs rapping on drums were in the exact rhythm as his knocks, and cut them out completely. "Let me in!"
Inside the arena, Azure took her seat beside Master Oogway as Shifu was up front, addressing the crowd. "Citizens of the Valley of Peace!"
Po noticed a small window next to the door, and leapt towards him clumsily, and tried to hold himself up to peek inside.
"It is my great honor to present to you the sworn protectors of our Valley... Master Tigress! Jian! Viper! Crane! Monkey! Mantis!"
Po let out a laugh delight as his idols leapt onto the scene in their stunning display of Kung Fu prowess, and let out a giant cheer when Jian landed alongside Tigress, paws framed by his face, stone faced as he stared straight ahead. "GO JIAN!" Po's cry was drowned out by the crowd, who cheered as Crane flapped his wings, sending a powerful gust of wind all over the arena- blowing the window closed, and knocking the panda to the ground. "Darn it!" He cussed into the dirt.
"Warriors prepare!"
Po's head shot back up to stare at the door in a state of panic, before noticing a crack. "Oh, peeky-hole!" Pressing himself flat against it, with one eye peeking through the door.
"Ready for battle!"
Po saw Master Crane getting into position, standing bravely before a deadly looking machine. "Woah!" It was a tall, red dragon, with a pig setting the top of it alight as the mouth was opened, revealing tons of fireworks. "The Thousand Tongues of Fire!" Po laughed in anticipation, eager to see his hero in action.
"Whoa, look at that!" Someone blocks Po's view as Crane starts lifting himself into the air.
"Hey, get out of the way!" Po yelled, before he could hear a firing sound above him, and upon the investigation, Crane was surrounded by fireworks. Po got excited to see it from where he stood, and starting backing up to see the spectacle- however, he went one step too far- and he tumbled back down the steps. He scrambled back up, but by the time he was looking around wildly, Crane had fought off the fireworks, and was no longer in view, and Po sank back to the ground in disappointment.
But he couldn't give up!
Jian looked around the cheering crowd in search of Po, but didn't see him at first glance.
Master Viper was up next, and while the crowd enjoyed the tournament inside the arena, Po made several more attempts to gain access; first attempt started with him sending a punch at the doors, but knelt against them when the pain vibrated through his paws. "Ow..."
Monkey stepped up, and Jian checked the galleries above them- Po wasn't there either. Instead, several of the girls screamed and called out his name when they noticed him looking "at them".
Second attempt, Po tried to pole-vault over the wall, but his weight bends the pole and he's sent into the wall, cracking it on impact.
Mantis was up next, and Jian took another chance to look around again to check if Po suddenly stuck out in the crowd. Tigress didn't comment or ask what he was doing, but glanced around too briefly, unsure of what he was searching for.
Third, he tried to catapult himself into the arena. However, his weight kept the tree bent when the rope was cut. When he climbed off to check it out, the tree springs up, whacking his nose, then springs back to strike him on the head.
Jian was up now- and as he sauntered into center stage, he turned his body towards Shifu, Azure, and Oogway- and he glared at his sister. Shifu thought he was glaring at him, and ignored it, and Oogway kept watching, while Azure locked eyes with him, nodding determinedly, obviously not getting the message he was trying to send. So, Jian just rolled his eyes and he got into position, ready for combat as several as several archers lit their arrows from several areas in the higher galleries...
While Po sat at the top of the stairs, his back to the arena, head in his paws. Jian would be so disappointed that he missed his big moment... maybe he could fester up some excuse? His dad's shop was super busy maybe? Nah, everyone but them were inside, he was sure to notice...
Crane, Viper, Mantis and Monkey congratulated Jian as he joined them on the sidelines, and his cheered along with them as Tigress walked away from them. "Good luck Tigress..." he whispered as she moved past him, which she turned back quickly to face him, smiling.
"And finally... Master Tigress!"
Oh boy. Po was up again, looking around quickly for another plan.
"Believe me citizens," Shifu announced, "you have not seen anything yet!"
"I KNOW!" Po yelled, gritting his teeth as he pulled a much larger tree down to the ground with a rope around its higher branches.
"Master Tigress! Face Iron Ox, and his Blades of Death!" Tigress prepared to face her opponent, while Po launched himself into the air, catapulted by the tree, catching a glimpse of the atmosphere, before bouncing off of the roof, crashing into a... firework cart?
Azure caught sight of him up in the air before he fell back down behind the wall. Blinking softly, she checked on Jian, who was too invested into what Tigress was about to fight against... before everyone fell quiet. Before any of the Master's could question, they all turned to see Oogway raising his palm, and all eyes were on him. "I sense the Dragon Warrior is among us..." Shifu nodded to the Masters, and they joined Tigress in the middle of the arena, side by side as they watched the older Masters.
"Citizens of the Valley of Peace! Master Oogway will now choose... the Dragon Warrior!" Azure rose from her seat slowly while Oogway made his way down the steps.
Jian knew his outcome in this, but yet his heart drummed heavily within his chest like there was still a chance he would be picked. Nothing could take away this moment; Oogway drew closer to the end of the stairs... and he could see Azure standing by Shifu, waiting for Oogway to choose the one who would reign victorious... and he took his time going down the steps. He twisted his eyes slightly towards Tigress and the others, who were also glancing amongst themselves, the suspense was killing them- more so then it was for him. They were all worthy of the title...
Fireworks sounded off- maybe a bit too early, but he wasn't worried- he focused on Oogway drawing closer... and closer...
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH-"
Who in the world-
THUD.
"Ugh..." Po's vision was a series of blurred images; the first thing he saw was Master Mantis and Viper both staring down at him worriedly, "what's going on..?" Turning his head, there was Monkey, Crane, Tigress... also staring at him. "Where, uh...?" He blinked, and a quivering finger was right in his face. "What are you pointing...?"
Shaking his head cleared his vision- he was lying right in front of Master Oogway... the owner of said finger. Jian was staring down at him, mouth agape. "Po?" He whispered, with the Furious Five glancing at him briefly, almost dumbfoundedly.
Po was right between them and Oogway! "Oh! Okay, I'm so sorry! I just wanted to see who the Dragon Warrior was..." Po gabbled as he got up hastily.
"How interesting..." The turtle replied, still pointing, and quite intrigued. Azure remained rooted by Shifu, her face completely neutral, while Shifu watched on in disbelief. Jian turned to Tigress, confusion written clearly across both their faces as she took a step forward.
"Master, are you pointing at... me?" She asked.
"Him."
"Who?..." Po tried to move away, but anywhere he jumped to, Oogway's finger followed, while Tigress stepped back, eyes widening.
"You." Oogway said, lifting Po's arm with his staff and turning to address the crowd. "The universe has brought us the Dragon Warrior!"
Po turned to Jian. "What?" They both say.
"What?!" The five say.
"What!?" Shifu yelled from the higher platform, while Azure watched the doorway, where Po's father poked his head through the gap, also exclaiming 'what?!' In horror.
The announce cracked the mallet off the gong, but when Shifu snatched it away, the crowd cheered wildly, while confetti rained down into the arena. Jian and the Master's looked around, unsure of what to do, while a group of palace geese flew down the steps with a palanquin. Shifu proceeded to chase after them, but by the time he hit the last step, the geese were struggling to lift the palanquin.
Shifu rushed over to Oogway, while Jian and the Five resorted to a respectful bow, at least until they were spoken to. "Master, Master wait!" Oogway started walking away, and the red panda was hot on his heels. "That flabby panda can't possibly be the answer to... our problem! You were about to point at Tigress and that thing fell in front of her! That was just an accident!"
"There are no accidents-"
There was a crunch, which had Shifu, and the others look up, a little startled. Po's weight had broken through the palanquin, his butt now stuck in the newly-made hole. Oogway simply smiled to the dumbfounded look Shifu shot his way. Jian rose from the bow, and watched as palace pigs lifted the palanquin with ease, and moved up the stairs. Wiping his paw heavily over his head, he excused himself when he noticed Azure motioning him to follow, and as Po was twisting his head around wildly, looking for a way out, he quickly noticed someone walking alongside him. "You..."
Azure smiled sweetly as she patted him on the shoulder. "Nice to see you again."
Unbeknownst to Po, Jian stared ahead as he followed behind, unsure of what to say as the cheers of the common folk seemed to be fading out behind them... and Shifu watched them leave, eye twitching, as the Five approached him.
"Forgive us, Master." He turned to find Master Tigress and the others kneeling forward into a bow. "We have failed you..." Shifu shook his head and raised his paw to stop her.
"No. If the panda has not quit by morning, then I will have failed you." He replied. Very, very, sincerely.
Meanwhile, far away in the snowy mountains of Mongolia, Zeng was approaching the fearsome Chor-Gom Prison, carved out of the side of a mountain, open to the high ferocious winds like a gaping mouth. An enormous set of double doors awaited for him, and two rhino guards stood before it, guarded with weapons. They watched as Zeng flies close to them, before crashing into the ground outside the entrance doors, clutching a scroll. In an instant, they thrust their spears in his face.
"Wait, wait, wait wait! I bring a message!" The goose was close to laying an egg in fright, but the guards didn't move. "From Master Shifu!"
The doors opened for them with a heavy groan, and Zeng was brought into the dark cave, red flames the only source they had.
Commander Vachir, the warden, stood in front of the frightened goose as he read the scroll. "WHAT?! Double the guard? Extra precautions? Your prison may not be adequate?' You doubt my prison's security?" He glared down at the messenger as the scroll slammed shut. The rhino's around Zeng were also enraged by the scroll, and gripped their weapons tightly, staring daggers at him.
"Absolutely not!" Zeng declared. "I would never! Shifu does. I'm just the messenger bird." He tried to be confident with the words that left his beak, but was very intimidated.
"Yeah right- well then! I'll give you a message for your Master Shifu." He replied gruffly, leading Zeng along a bridge from the entrance. "Escaping from Chor-Gom Prison is impossible! Impossible I say!" Zeng nodded quickly in agreement, and looked in awe around the cavernous prison. Peeking over the edge, his stomach almost turned; there was nothing but a deep black abyss. Vachir suddenly slapped Zeng on the back, startling him and knocking a feather from his body, which floats down from the bridge. "Impressive, isn't it?" He asked with a cackle.
"Oh yes, it's very impressive. It's very impressive!" Zeng was desperate to get out, but Vachir was leading deeper into the prison, not letting the change to gloat go out of reach.
"One way in, one way out, one thousand guards, and one prisoner."
"Yes, except that prisoner is Tai Lung..." the goose whispered as they stepped into an elevator.
"Take us down." Vachir's order was obeyed, and they were lowered further more into the darkness, and Vachir (just to mess with the goose more, shook the chain that held the platform they stood on, laughing at the bird's frightened reaction.
They finally reached the bottom, and Zeng watched as a set of heavily-armored doors opened. "Oh my..." he gasped.
In front of him was a little bridge that led them to a circular stone island in the middle of the abyss, where he saw a figure shrouded in darkness. "Behold, Tai Lung."
There was silence after the warden's words carried off into the air above him. "I'll, um... I'm just gonna wait right here..." He was shaking a little, and his body was just refusing to move an inch.
Vachir laughed again, before speaking more softly. "There's nothing to worry about. It's perfectly safe..." shoving Zeng forward, they gradually made it over the bridge, while he yelled for crossbows to be ready. Zeng looked back up to see sentry towers around the walls of the prison, and enormous crossbows were set towards the island as Vachir and Zeng approached.
Tai Lung, once a mighty kung fu warrior, is now weighed down with chains attached to enormous rocks hanging over the sides of the island, immobilized by a special stone tortoise shell on his back. He head hung low, his eyes closed. Zeng listened intently, but he couldn't hear him breathing. "Is he... alive?"
"Of course he is..." Vachir laughed. "Hey, tough guy! Did you hear? Oogway's finally going to give someone the Dragon Scroll and it's not going to be you! And with some luck, it won't be the kid you left behind either!"
"What are you doing?" Zeng held his head, panic stricken. "Don't get him mad!"
"What's he gonna do about it? I've got him completely immobilized." Zeng heard a crunch as the rhino stood heavily on Tai Lung's tail, but there was no movement. Not even a sound. "Awww," he moved dangerously close to the feline's shadowed face, "did I step on the witty kitty's tail? Awww..." Vachir's laugh echoed through the air once more.
I'm good! I've seen enough! I'm gonna tell Shifu he's got nothing to worry about."
"Good, because there is nothing for him to worry about..." They moved back over the bridge towards the door. "And you can also tell him not to waste our time..."
"Okay I'll tell him. Can we please go now?..."
They disappeared out of view, while a single feather floated down, settling right in front of Tai Lung. A pair of golden eyes opened for the first time in a long time...
And a grey spotted tail snatches the feather stealthily before anyone could notice...
Chapter 14 is finally done! Please please leave a review!
They keep me going, and I'm so happy to get this chapter out as quickly as I did!
