Chapter 3
Disclaimer: I neither own the rights to DreamWorks, Kung Fu Panda, the Kung Fu Panda cinematic universe nor any of its associated media, derivatives or products. I do not profit from this work.
A/N: During the Ming dynasty, which seems to be roughly the era of Kung Fu Panda, the Hall of Supreme Harmony (the biggest palace in the Forbidden City) was where the Emperor held court and ruled as head of state; the Palace of Heavenly Purity was where he resided. This changed in the subsequent Qing dynasty (beginning 1644), when the Emperor's residence moved to the smaller Hall of Mental Cultivation, thus re-designating the Palace of Heavenly Purity as his main audience hall and relegating the Hall of Supreme Harmony to more important ceremonial uses, e.g. for coronations and imperial weddings, etc.
[Scene: darkness.]
SHIFU'S VOICE: Panda.
PO'S VOICE: (Dreamy mumbling) No, Master Shifu, I didn't take all the bean buns…
SHIFU'S VOICE: Panda–
PO'S VOICE: I'swear… it'was my dad… he's tryna sell 'em but they're already two days old…
SHIFU'S VOICE: (Considerably less patient) Panda, wake up.
PO: Wha–? (The darkness flickers open like two eyes opening. A blurry Shifu-shaped blob is standing over him; the sky behind him is a turquoise-blue.) Master Shifu? (Blinking; Shifu comes into focus, looking mildly annoyed.) S'little early…
SHIFU: That is the idea, Dragon Warrior. (Steps back out of Po's view, leaving only the stars.)
[Po sits up and looks around. It's still very early in the morning; the sky is a little lighter but still star-spangled, and crickets are still humming in the evening. The others are already packing up the camp, rolling up their bedrolls and brushing away signs of pawprints.]
PO: (Yawning and standing, patong his mouth) Why're we up so early?
CRANE: (Flapping his wings to hover over the fire-pit as he douses it with a bucket of water) Master Shifu thinks we're being followed, so he wants to get to the Forbidden City before the sun comes up.
SHIFU: I do not think we are being followed, Crane, I am certain of it. (He opens his own pack, reassuring himself that the massive prophecy scroll is still securely contained within.)
PO: What, we're not even gonna have breakfast?
SHIFU: We will eat on our way through the Capital.
PO: Sweet. Street food.
(They continue to pack up the camp. As he's fastening his bedroll Po glances over his shoulder at Tigress, who he hasn't spoken to since their awkward discussion the night previous. Just as he looks away she glances back at him, and then back to her own pack. Over to the side, the other four exchange worried looks.)
CRANE: I don't think we should go into the Capital with them not talking…
MONKEY: Don't worry. I've got this. (He glances quickly over to Master Shifu, then, in the blink of an eye, snags a banana from Po's pack, clambers up a tree with branches overshadowing the camp, snacks on the fruit and drops the peel down between the two masters.)
PO: (Counting) Two packs of noodles, three radishes…wait, hold on, where's my spice kit. (Standing up and looking around) Tigress, have you seen my– whoa!
(He, predictably, slips on the banana peel and stumbles backwards, rolling straight into Tigress's belongings as she jumps out of the way. Over by the tree Monkey stifles a laugh with his hands, and then puts on a professional face when Viper shoots him an unimpressed look.)
PO: (Wincing) Ooh… (He opens his eyes.) Oh. Uh– hi, Tigress…? (The other warrior is standing above him, eyes glowing fainting in the dim light, with her paws on her waist and a wry smirk.)
TIGRESS: (Offering him a paw up) I assure you, your spice kit is not over here.
PO: Heh… (Glances over his shoulder at Monkey, who gives him the "thumbs up" and smile. Po, looking a little confused, turns back to Tigress.) So, uh, I guess you're not mad at me anymore…?
TIGRESS: (Kneeling down to re-do her bedroll) I was never angry with you, Po, I just… reacted poorly, last night.
PO: Listen, if I made you uncomfortable–
TIGRESS: (Firmly, turning to face him as she slings her bedroll over her shoulders) Discomfort is the result of my people's actions, not your questions. (Seriously, setting a paw on his shoulder) I'm sorry.
PO: (Blinks in surprise, and then grins and waves it off) It's fine. Sheesh, such a long face. (Tigress smiles slightly despite herself.) Man, I can't wait to try some of the local Capital chow; I'm starving.
TIGRESS: I'm sure the royal palace will feed us well…
(The other Four, peering on at their oblivious friends, exchange collective fist/wing/tail bumps.)
[Scene: still the forest; the seven masters are making their way along the path. As they leave behind the treeline and come up over the edge of the hill, they find themselves on a cliff. All seven of them stop, and each the six students' mouths drop in stunned awe.]
PO: Whoa…
[Ahead of them stretches a great plain at the foothill of the mountains. Far below them, stretching almost as far as the eye can see in the turquoise pre-dawn, is a sea of thousands upon thousands of tile-roofed houses and shops, many with lamps and lanterns glimmering with gold or red light—a massive ancient Chinese city.]
SHIFU: The Northern Capital. (Turning to his students.) This is the grandest city in all of China, and that—(His staff shoots out, indicating in the distance a walled square complex of beautiful palaces)—is the Forbidden City: the very home of the Emperor. Only a privileged few ever have the honor of entering it, and you, my students, are among those few.
PO: So like… how do we do this? Do we just walk up to the gates and…
SHIFU: (Cutting him off) It is safest for all of you to follow my lead and do exactly as I say. (Pacing in front of them.) When you greet the emperor, you must never address him directly, but rather only through his servants. (Po opens his mouth; Shifu hastily holds up a paw.) In fact, don't speak. I'll handle all the talking.
PO: Jeez, don't have much faith in us, do you…
SHIFU: (Continuing as if not hearing him) You must never look directly at the emperor. When you bow to him, you must ensure that your forehead strikes the floor loud enough to produce a satisfying sound, to show sufficient respect.
MANTIS: Uhh– all of us?
SHIFU: And most importantly, remember: (At the gravity in his tone, his students sober.) For as much as you hold his safety in your hands, he holds yours lives in his. You must do nothing which would bring his Imperial Majesty even the slightest offense. Am I understood?
ALL SIX: (Fist-in-palm bowing) Yes, Master Shifu.
[Scene shifts to the students and Shifu making their way through the dark pre-dawn city. The streets are mostly dark, especially the back-alley they're traversing to remain unnoticed; occasionally a warm glow of golden light will illuminate one of the windows of the backs of the houses and shops on either side. Mantis is taking point, hopping ahead of the group and then, when he sees it's safe, waving them forward. Above them a shadow crosses the waning moon and swoops down, landing in font of them.]
CRANE: No aerial surveillance, Master.
SHIFU: (Satisfied) Excellent.
MANTIS: (Hopping back to them) Is all this sneaking around really necessary? I mean, the Ten Thousand already know we're coming.
MONKEY: We were not exactly inconspicuous on our journey here...
SHIFU: Nevertheless, it is better to seize the element of surprise whenever we are able.
[Shot shifts ahead; Mantis checks out a cross-road, and waves the others ahead out of the alleyway. As they're crossing the cross-road, Po's eyes suddenly catch on several open-early food stands up on the corner.]
PO: (Slows his stealth-jog to a normal jog as he spies the food. His stomach growls, and he looks down, and then up again.)
(Master Shifu is standing right in front of him.)
PO: (Startling and hopping backwards) Ay-ha-ha! (Shifu looks unimpressed.) Okay, scaring me like that is not good for my stealth!
SHIFU: Panda. Focus.
PO: Oh come on, you said we could get breakfast! Besides, do you re-eally want my belly rumbling in front of the Emperor? (Raises his eyebrows. Shifu looks annoyed, and then relents with a sigh and gestred paw, acknowledging that his student has a point.)
MANTIS: Oh thank the gods. (Hopping over Po's shoulder towards the stall.) If he hadn't said something I was going to.
PO: (Grins smugly at Shifu. His master looks even more annoyed.)
SHIFU: Be careful. Try not to draw attention to yoursel– aaand they're already gone. (Five of the six are already slithering/running/hopping ahead.) Perfect. We'll be assassinated by daybreak.
TIGRESS: (Reassuring) I'll keep an eye on them, Master.
SHIFU: Thank you, Tigress. (As she turns to go.) Tigress? (She turns back; he wavers and then gives in.) One order of dumplings and some rice.
TIGRESS: (With a small smile) Yes, Master. (Hurries after the others.)
(She jogs up to the others where Po is relating orders to the vendor:)
PO: Okay, order of dumplings for Viper, fried rice for Crane– (The vendor, a pig, is hurriedly scribbling down their order on a pad) –fried bananas for Monkey—Tigress, you want anything?
TIGRESS: Fried tofu, and dumplings and rice for Master Shifu.
PO: —One order of fried tofu, dumplings and rice, one vegetable dumpling for Mantis and an order of noodles for me. Got all that? (The vendor nods frantically, finishing the order.) Great.
(The group moves away from the stand to make room for potential new customers. As Crane starts describing the layout of the city he saw from his surveillance to the others, Po and Tigress end up in a semi-separate group of their own as they wait.)
PO: (Excitedly) I can't believe we're really here! I mean I've wanted to come to the Capital ever since I was a kid; and to actually be meeting the Emperor–!
TIGRESS: (Unable to contain her own nervous excitement) It is an honor unlike any other.
PO: What do you think he's like? Do you think he's terrifying? Noble? Commanding?
TIGRESS: He was once a scholar and is now a great ruler, so I'm sure he is very wise. But Po– (growing serious) –try not to get too caught up in the ceremony; we're here to work, not to play tourist.
PO: I know, I know. (Sobering) I mean, it's all fun and games when it's just a bedtime story, but if the Ten Thousand are actually real…
TIGRESS: They haven't been this active in thirty years. And it's impossible to know who is and is not a member of their ranks, though I think it's unlikely they've already infiltrated the Palace– (Her ear twitches and tail lashes suddenly, and she abruptly stops talking.)
PO: (Concerned) What?
(Tigress flickers her eyes meaningfully towards the vendor. The pig startles badly at her gaze and quickly drops his own to his sautéeing pan, but he briefly glances up again at Tigress and then back down, clearly nervous. Po looks at his friend, confused, and watches as a look of comprehension crosses her face, quickly followed by an expression of half-hidden shame, which she forcibly suppresses as she turns back to Po.)
TIGRESS: (Under her breath) We shouldn't talk about this where we could be overheard; it's not safe. (Glancing back to the vendor.) …This isn't the Valley of Peace.
PO: Yeah…good point.
VENDOR: Order up.
(The other four hurry back over, and the six students get their food. As they leave to go back to Master Shifu, Po hesitates beside the stand as if to say something to the vendor, but thinks better of it and follows the others.)
[They make their way through the city. As the sky is turning from lavender to magenta, they at last arrive at a wide moat about the size of a city street. A small fisherman's boat is waiting for them there, which ferries them across to the palace's tall stone walls. They are given nods by guards on the barbican walls who lower long rope bridges for them to climb up. They do so, Po with some huffing. When he reaches the top he collapses onto the walkway of the barbican, puffing for air.]
PO: Why– again– didn't we take– the main gate?
SHIFU: Stealth, Dragon Warrior, stealth.
PO: We're on top of a wall, how is this stealthy! Aghah…
VOICE: Is… he alright?
(Po sits up and turns around. A familiar leopard guard is waiting for them, with several duck guards arranged behind him.)
SHIFU: (Annoyed) He's fine. Panda! (Po quickly stands up.) Please, try to act presentable!
WU: (Suppressing an amused smile on his spotted muzzle) We apologize for the unorthodox manner of entry, but in case of an attack at the gates, we wanted to be entirely sure of your safe arrival to his Imperial Majesty. (Bowing fist-in-paw.) My name is Wu; I serve as the head of the Palace Guard here in the Forbidden City. His Majesty requests your presence immediately.
PO: Uh– I mean, you sure he doesn't want us to freshen up a little? We've been traveling for months, noooot exactly sure we smell too fresh if you know what I–
SHIFU: (Hissing) Panda!
WU: (Chuckling, a rumbling growl sound) His Majesty was insistent on greeting you immediately. Please, right this way…
(They are led down into the palace complex by the barbican stairs and through the smaller gates protecting the various governmental buildings, until they reach the impressively-decorated gates into the main courtyard. As they pass through, Po stumbles to a halt in shock.)
PO: Whoa…
(The others stop in awe around him, even Master Shifu. Before them lies the Hall of Supreme Harmony: two tiers tall, preceded with layers of marble staircases, it is a resplendent palace of red pillars, jade-green archways and great sloping roofs of tiles. Each corner of the roof is decorated with a row of roof-charms in the form of various animals, the beginning with a dragon and ending with a phoenix-like creature.)
WU: (Coming up beside them) Worked here for over thirty years. Still gets to me every day. (Nodding towards the palace) This way.
(They approach the palace nervously, the students looking around as if they feel out of place. They are conducted by more guards into the hall, which is even more dazzling and ornate than the exterior. As the seven masters enter they are greeted by a glorious hall of polished stone floors, deep garnet-red pillars stretching to either side and six golden pillars in the center, emblazoned with gilt dragons looking inwards towards the throne. The ceiling above the throne features a golden sculpture of a dragon similar to that in the jade palace, but with a giant pearl in its mouth.
The Dragon Throne itself slowly comes into view as the shot descends, revealing a wrought golden throne and backing-screen, each covered with golden dragons—five and nine respectively. As the dawn sunlight breaks into the hall it strikes off the dragons, glittering in a dazzling array as the shot pans down, revealing…)
STUDENTS & SHIFU: (Quickly dropping into kowtows) Your Majesty.
(...a very small rabbit, sitting upon the Imperial Throne in an equally small golden robe and wearing scholars' pince-nez spectacles.)
EMPEROR: (Kindly) Welcome, Masters Shifu, Tigress, Crane, Viper, Mantis, Monkey. Welcome, Dragon Warrior. Please, rise.
MONKEY: (Whispering to Mantis) Weren't we supposed to hit our heads on the floor or something?
SHIFU: (Rising, eyes respectfully lowered and speaking to one of the waiting rabbit attendants) Please tell his Imperial Majesty that we are honored beyond all honors to be received at his–
EMPEROR: Oh, no, there's no need for all that! (Hops down off his throne.)
SHIFU: (Master Shifu's eyes flicker over in a brief moment in pure shock, before hurriedly dropping them again.) I– forgive me, your Majesty, I did not know–
EMPEROR: No no, nothing to forgive! (Looking positively delighted as he hurries down the jade dais.) I know it's a little unorthodox, but you are my guests here! Besides—(beaming up at them)—I am your biggest fan!
PO: Ha-ha yeah! (Elbowing Shifu.) I like this guy!
SHIFU: (Mumbling) Of course you do.
EMPEROR: Ever since Master Oogway foretold who would fulfill the role of my safekeeping, I have kept a close watch on the students of the Jade Palace. You all are truly remarkable!
TIGRESS: (Stammering) Your- your Majesty, we are humbled by your, um– appreciation of our talents. (Fist-in-paw bowing.) We assure you, we will put them entirely at your service.
EMPEROR: (Brightly) Oh I don't doubt that! (Growing serious.) But we have little time to lose. Grandmaster Shifu, do your students know the contents of the prophecy?
SHIFU: (Inclining his head) No, your Majesty. I have our copy in my safekeeping.
EMPEROR: Very good. All of you, come with me. It is time you knew of your destiny.
[Scene: shot of the outside of the Hall of Literary Glory, a smaller building with red walls and red pillars. The shot then moves into the Hall, where there have been shelves arranged around a sitting area with raised-dais desks.]
(The Emperor selects from within a chest a very thin scroll in its case and then locks the chest again. He hops up onto the dais and sets the scroll down on the writing desk.)
EMPEROR: Grandmaster Shifu, the scroll.
(Shifu sets down the pack he has been carrying and retrieves from it the massive Scroll of Prophecy. As the Emperor goes to open the small Imperial scroll's case, however, Shifu's eyes sudden widen and he flings out a paw.)
Shifu: Wait. (The Emperor looks up in surprise, and Shifu realizes what he's just done.) Forgive me, your Majesty—but look. (He points to the gilt seal ring around the top of the scroll.)
TIGRESS: It's been tampered with…
SHIFU: It could be a trap. If you will permit one of my students, your Majesty–
EMPEROR: Oh! Certainly… (He passes the scroll case over to Po, who warily steps back a safe distance from the others
PO: (Eyes the case warily, and then takes a deep breath. He braces himself for some sort of trap, grasps the stopper, and pulls it off.)
(Nothing happens. Po looks at the case, then peers inside with one eye, and then tips it against his hand. He looks up.)
PO: It's empty.
THE FIVE: What?!
SHIFU: (Sighing) Of course it is.
TIGRESS: How is this possible?
EMPEROR: We have had a number of break-ins lately. But to get in and out of the palace with the scroll without being seen…
SHIFU: Then the Ten Thousand already know the prophecy's contents. (Urgently) Let me through.
(His students move aside as Shifu sets the Jade Palace's massive scroll down on the desk and unfurls it with a sweep of his paw. The heavier end goes rolling open down the other side of the dais chair as Shifu scan the lines.)
SHIFU: Not here… no… that's not due for another two hundred years… ah. This one. (He stands aside for his students to see. They crowd around.)
PO: Huh. (Taping an artistic design on the side of the lines of characters.) Uh, what are those… funny squiggles on the side?
TIGRESS: (Stunned.) Those are my markings.
CRANE: (Peering over her shoulder) Are you sure?
TIGRESS: Of course I'm sure. (She's correct; on either side of the characters, the swirling designs mirror the markings on her face, albeit elongated up-and-down instead of side-to-side.)
SHIFU: (Reciting from memory, drawing their attention as they turn to him.) For an age Heaven has predominated upon Earth;
Now Earth takes its rightful place. Together,
The dragon and the tiger pursue endlessly the other, an ever-shifting balance.
EMPEROR & SHIFU: (The Emperor joining in a quiet murmur) Where once was chaos, there will be calm.
Where once disharmony, a perfect unity.
The dragon will stand to the side,
And with the Emperor's most loyal warriors at its call, the tiger shall vanquish over the usurper, preserve the dynasty,
And usher in a thousand years of peace.
(There's a beat of ringing silence. The other Four and Po turn to look at Tigress, who has turned herself to look at the scroll.)
PO: (Looking with puppy-dog awe at his hero) …Whoa. That is awesome.
TIGRESS: (Staring down at the characters, stunned.) We all assumed it was Po. (To Shifu, demanding:) You knew what we were all thinking; why didn't you tell me about this?
SHIFU: (Calmly) First, to teach you all a lesson about prophecies and assumptions. (Everyone except Po gives him a glare, Tigress especially.) Second, because I have learned that it is generally not a good idea to tell someone they are subject of a prophecy before it comes to pass; and third, there are any number of prophecies concerning the Dragon Warrior and the Furious Five saving China from disaster.
PO: Wait, there are?!
SHIFU: (Grumbling) At least a dozen. (Gesturing offhand to the giant scroll.) There's one in there just about Mantis.
MANTIS: Whoa, really? (Hops towards the scroll, but Shifu holds up a hand.)
SHIFU: Don't. (Shuddering) It's best not to read on an empty stomach. (Returning to the point, pacing) Obviously, if the Imperial copy of the scroll is missing then we can be certain it is now in the hands of the Ten Thousand. With your distinctive markings in hand, Tigress, they will seek to target you and get rid of you before you can bring the prophecy to fruition.
TIGRESS: (Looking up from the scroll abruptly) Then the best thing to do is plaster my face across this whole city.
CRANE: What? Why would we do that?
TIGRESS: (Arguing her point) Once they know I've arrived they'll probably send an assassin; we can take the assassin captive, interrogate them for information and then–
PO: (Excitedly) And then infiltrate their headquarters!
TIGRESS: Precisely, Dragon Warrior.
SHIFU: (Looking surprised) That… is an excellent plan, Tigress. Well done.
TIGRESS: (Calculating) Their greatest strength is knowing the faces of the people who will defeat them. We will turn that strength into their weakness.
EMPEROR: (Interjecting pleasantly) Then it is settled. (The six and Shifu turn to look at him.) I believe I have just the opportunity you need. Here in the Capital, we call it… "making an entrance."