Author Note::
There is no excuse for being away from this project for as long as I have been. And I apologize for that, for those that enjoyed this story's premise. When I originally wrote the prologue and the first chapter, it burnt me out on writing, not only in fanfiction but in general. I haven't written anything substantial in a long time. When I started writing again, I just didn't want to write this. I stayed away for a long time, but I eventually came back. I've written the first part of this chapter multiple times, never liking how it came out. Even now, I'm not satisfied. That will show, I'm sure of it.
I plan on writing another chapter or two to see if I can find my drive for this premise again, but I can't promise that this story will continue past that. I'm sorry for those that liked this story.
~Mining300
Po was ready to yank the fur from his skull. That was not how things were supposed to go. Everything had been perfect until Shijie had shown up. He had friends, a larger family then he could have ever dreamed, and a special someone whom had claimed his heart. Someone he had failed to save.
His shoulders shook and his fingers twitched. It had been his words. His. He alone was responsible for the future being destroyed. Every person that suffered or died because of that would weigh down on him. He would take the sole blame.
He had stopped in front of each artifact he passed, trying in vain to swell his excitement and gush about its history and cultural importance. He had done it before, but this time his words were stiff and cold.
It hadn't hit him before, not really. The thought weighed down on his mind, tugging on his soul. This moment of silence was the first time he got a moment to think properly without rushing to secure the timeline and he wasn't sure if he could handle it. His mind wouldn't stop thinking about what he had done.
He needed a distraction.
The Urn of Whispering Warriors remained unbroken as he followed Shifu into the training hall. By the time they had left the Hall of Heroes, Shifu was a steaming mess. Po hadn't realized how angry he had to make Shifu to put him into the Wuxi Finger Hold. Another conversation off course. Though, Shifu had threatened him. So, at least something was happening the way it should.
Shifu pushed open the doors into the training hall, anger radiating from his small presence. Po wasn't sure if he was just as angry or if he was even angrier than he had been before. Angry was good, but even Shifu had a limit to his anger before he snapped.
Po's finger twitched. He did not want to see Shifu snap.
He snapped his head up, twisting his body out of the way as a chunk of wood flew by his head. He pursed his lips and held back the clenching of his teeth and fists. He had not intended to dodge that. In fact, he hadn't even thought of that little chunk. He turned his head back forward, seeing Tigress stand to full height, her facial expression not shifting from stoic annoyance.
Little things. He had to remember the little things. He couldn't keep slipping up like this. "Panda." Po turned his head down to Shifu, wiping his own frown from his face before the red panda could see it. "Let's begin."
"Now?"
"Yes, now. Unless you think the Great Oogway was wrong, and you are not the Dragon Warrior."
Po laughed nervously. He couldn't let anyone see his skill. He took a deep breath. Not a single slip up. "I don't know if I could do all that." He remembered this event, this day. The embarrassment was hard to forget. He scratched the back of his neck, following Shifu as he walked along the training hall. Though, he was having a hard time remembering what he had said specifically.
Shifu chuckled. Po could imagine the grin spreading across his face. "Well, we'll never know if you don't try."
"Um," Po glanced back at the training equipment. Just remembering the pain he had felt that day caused him to wince. Still, he had a script to keep to. "Perhaps we could start closer to my level."
"Your level? And what would that be?"
"Level Zero." He was already looking at the dummy. He narrowed his eyes. Was that how he phrased that? "Something closer to that."
"Zero?" Shifu scoffed, "There is no such thing." He followed Po's eyes to see what he was looking at. "That? We use that for training children and propping the door open when it's hot. But, if you insist."
The Furious Five gathered behind Shifu, a mix of curiosity and silent anger soaking their aura. "The Furious Five!" He pointed at his chest and smiled, "Big fan."
Shifu rolled his eyes. "Go ahead, Panda. Show us what you can do."
He feigned surprise. "Um, should I wait for them to get back to work or— "
"Hit it." He could tell Shifu's patience was wearing thin. Po turned to the dummy, the sinking feeling in his gut that he had forgotten something grew stronger. But, he couldn't think of what it was. Reluctantly, he lightly punched it, causing it to rock back and forth. He had to move on. He didn't want his actions to seem unnatural or even choreographed. "A bit harder."
He took a deep breath, reeling back his fist into position. He remembered what he said next. He slammed his fist into the dummy, sending it crashing into the wall, "How's that?" He proclaimed loudly before it sprung back and slammed into him.
A small smile slipped onto his face as he was sent flying into the training course. Finally! Something went according to plan! He let himself get batted around by the equipment, overly dramatising his pain. He could hear a few members of the furious five gasp. Ha! He thought, Something happening the way it should!
He could taste blood as the Gauntlet of Wooden Warriors smashed into his cheek. His head snapped to the side and before he could stop himself, his arm flew up, blocking another strike from snapping his head back into position.
No . . .
Another wooden arm slammed into his back, sending him stumbling forward into the Field of Fiery Death. He looked down. To anyone else it would have looked as if he was afraid of what was going to happen next, but Po could only think of his slip up as fire raged upwards.
Even the pain seemed to be muted.
Po fell against the wooden floor, fear icing his heart. He tilted his head to see Shifu and the five walking up. He clenched his fists on the ground.
He had to know. Did Shifu see that? "How— how did I do?" He waited for Shifu to respond, fear that he had failed already.
Shifu reached over and pinch some hair on the top of lis head, putting out a small flame. "There is now a level zero." Inside, Po smiled.
It was getting dark before Shifu and the Furious time decided it was best to head to their sleeping quarters. Shifu had seemed content after Po's embarrassing display. He let Po sit off to the side most of the time, as he had before, barely sparing him a glance. Occasionally, Shifu would head over and give verbal instructions that was expected for the future. Po knew Shifu was trying to scare him out of the Jade Palace by promising to shove him head first into the lifestyle. Shifu hoped to overwhelm him.
The panda pretended to nurse his wounds, but it was all surface, just a show. Po had already healed his burn wounds, his fur was the only thing still burnt. It still gave the illusion he was hurt. He spent most of his time, watching the Furious Five's exercise routine as Shifu had instructed. The Red Panda's face twisted in anger once he realized Po was going to stay after suffering through the training course.
Shifu had left first, telling everyone else to head in for the night after finishing their exercises. A half an hour ticked by before the others decided to leave as well, exiting as a group. Po was sure Tigress shot him a dirty look before leaving.
As soon as he couldn't hear their footsteps or their chatter, he stood to his feet. He made his way back over to the training course. He stood in front of the gauntlet of the wooden warriors. He had steam to blow off. He reeled back his fist, punching the wooden contraption. It spun around he raised his arm to block it.
He attacked again. And again. Each strike becoming faster and stronger. Each thought coursing through his mind fueling his ferocity. Darkness surrounded him and rage filled his heart. He failed. He couldn't stop Shijie in time. He didn't listen to Shifu. He made his wish, sending himself back in time. He let Tigress die.
Po's fist went right through the dummy. Oh, crap. He tried pulling his fist out of the machine, instead snapping the machine right off its hinges. "Oh," He used his other arm to rip it off, "That's not good. That's going to be missed." His ears perked up as he heard doors creek open. He whipped around and dropped the dummy to the ground, "Tigress!"
The feline stalked forward, aggressively stomping forward with her eyes set on him. She narrowed her eyes, "I knew it." He could hear the venom coating her voice. He messed up again. How much did she see? "I knew it! You were holding back."
Po took a step back, "What?"
She walked over to the fallen machine, forcing him to take a few steps back. "I saw your reflexes, you blocked a hit earlier today. Did you think no one noticed? That we were blind?" She kicked it across the ground and turned to him, briskly walking up to him. Po could swear their muzzles were almost touching. When she spoke, he could feel her breath. "Why lie?"
Crap. There was no way he could get out of this without setting her off. He complimented the space between them, and the anger lacing her eyes. Well, without making her angrier.
He ran out of time, though. Tigress was impatient and angry. Her eyes trailed down his body sending a shiver ran up his spine, he wasn't liking this one bit. Finally, she said, "Let's fight."
"What?!" Po took a couple steps back, putting some distance between him and the tiger. "I can't fight you!" Where had this come from? Quick, he had to think of a way out of this. "You're Master Tigress, I— I don't know any Kung Fu! You're going to rip me to shreds."
"You just destroyed a piece of equipment."
"I— well . . . " He looked off to the side, trying to think of something to tell her, but he couldn't think of anything. Nothing that wouldn't escalate this conflict. "Listen, I can't fight you."
She scoffed, "Shifu and the rest of the Five may be fooled, but I'm not letting that slip go." She folded her arms across her chest. "I know you're holding back and I want to see just how capable you are."
Had he failed already? He fidgeted, trying his best to come up with a response, but his mind drew a blank. Afterall, he never was the best liar. The realization sank in. He was doomed. "I— "
"And I want to know about your scars."
He froze. Whatever nonsense he was about to spit out vacated his mind immediately. "My . . . scars?"
That only made her angrier. "Yes. Your scars." She placed her paws on her hips. "I don't know how you did it, but you hid them from us. It seems noone else, not even Shifu can see them. He would have said something otherwise."
Po uneasily shifted, "But, you can?"
"Ever since your . . . display. What I want to know is how you were able to hid them and I must admit, I am curious about the scar on your arm." Shijie, his mind whispered. "That one must have been brutal."
"You have no idea." He shouldn't have said that. "Don't you think that information is a bit . . . personal?"
"No." He winced. "The origins of the scars, maybe, but how you hid them from us? No." He didn't even know how they couldn't see them. She wanted an answer he couldn't provide. Great. "Now, start talking or I'll beat it out of you."
Man, she was violent. He liked it better when it wasn't directed at him. Quick, Po! Think of something. "A wager." What? What had his mouth just said? Tigress motioned for him to continue, interested. "We'll fight," What was he signing himself up for? Not that he could back down now and it seemed she was going to try and fight him anyways. "If I win, then I get to keep my secrets and you can't tell anyone what you know."
"And If I win, I not only want to know how you hid your scars and what they're from, but I want to know who taught you Kung Fu as well."
Uh oh. "Fine." It was not fine. If Tigress won, then she would know everything. Po would be at her mercy. "But, we need some rules. No injuries and definitely nothing that could prove fatal." Those guidelines were more for himself than her. Even when angry, Tigress had breathtaking control. Po, however could still remember his fight with Shijie. He had tried to kill the lizard.
He would not betray his morals like that again.
He would not use chi. He would have to see if he had surpassed the younger Tigress.
"If you're afraid of my claws or teeth, then you should know I have better control then to rely on them in battle." She lowered into an offensive stance, showing him that she was ready to fight. "I'm no monster."
Po's eyes widened. He could see new fire burning in her eyes. She had been reminded of her days at the orphanage, where the other children were scared of her because of her claws and teeth. He had reminded her of it. "I never said you were."
"Stance, Panda."
He complied, lowering into his own stance. "I'm ready."
Tigress pounced forward, throwing several punches at him. Po dodged the first and then blocked the second and third.
Po narrowed his eyes. What was she doing? Tigress favored open palm strikes, but here she was attacking with closed fists. He pushed forward, throwing her off balance. He punched forward and her body curved under his strike. He noted how she didn't take the chance to grab his overextended arm, he knew she could throw him over her shoulder, or even kick out in an attempt to stagger him.
Po pulled his arm back, entering a defensive stance and inching away from her. Tigress once again rushed forward, throwing punch after punch, but seemingly refusing to to use her superior agility or attack as she normally would and Po knew why.
He really shouldn't have said anything.
Tigress broke through his defenses with an uppercut and spin-kicked him, overextending as to make sure her foot was nowhere near the side of his stomach. Po grabbed her leg, twisted his body, and threw her behind him.
"Enough." She was hindering herself in battle. All to make a point. "You can't win like this."
She stood to her feet, dusting herself off. "You don't want me to win."
Po sighed, "C'mon, Tigress. This isn't how you spar. You're training as if there are children present."
She scoffed, "Don't presume to know me, Panda." Her gaze softened, "It's true, though." She raised her and looked at her paw, "When I train with children or demonstrate for them, I have to be careful. More so than I usually am, so I don't cut or make them fear me."
"So you change your style and overextend your body in an attempt to never show them a glimpse of a claw."
"Correct." She lowered her paw and looked into his eyes, "I thought you were afraid of me, despite how you acted earlier, claiming to be a fan."
Po shook his head, "I'm not afraid of you."
"Then why the one rule? Were you not referencing my claws?"
"The rule wasn't just for you." Po pointed to himself, "You can see my scars. I've had to fight viciously before. The rule is as much a guideline for me as it is for you. I never meant to— "
"Enough, Panda." It was time to fight.
Po rushed forward, throwing a punch at Tigress's chest, but she twisted out of the way. Instantly, she lashed out, kicking him in the stomach. With a grunt, Po stumbled back, only regaining his footing as Tigress pounced onto him, slamming him into the ground. She locked one of his arms in place by placing her knee on his forearm and her paw on his shoulder. "At least try and impress me, Panda."
Po smiled, losing himself in the moment. Using his free arm and a bit of chi, he raised himself up into the air, kicking her in the side of her stomach and slamming her into the ground, holding down her neck with his forearm. Her shock snapped him out of his daze and he instantly pushed his chi further down. This is not the same Tigress. He lost his smile, "How's that?"
She grunted before punching him in the face. His head snapped to the side. Quickly, she rolled to her feet and struck out, slamming two open fists into the stomach.
Po slid back, his instincts almost casting chi to keep him from sliding back too much. He grit his teeth. No, he couldn't slip up anymore. He dug his feet into the ground, sliding to a stop. He lifted his head just in time to see Tigress pounce at him. He blocked a kick aimed downwards and flipped her back. She landed on all fours and struct forward, throwing punch after punch.
Po blocked a couple of hits before being hit in the chest. He took a step backwards, continuing to block most of the hits, but being pressured backwards. He narrowly twisted his head out of the way of her strike and ducked under her next strike. He launched forward, ramming her body with his shoulder.
Tigress hit the ground, twisting on her shoulders and springing back onto her feet. With a heavy breath, she punched forward just as Po did the same. Their fists clashed. The two stood still for a couple of seconds before Po retracted his arm, shaking his hand lightly.
Tigress raised an eyebrow, "I don't know what I was expecting, but you seem to be keeping pace well."
Po noticed an edge to her voice. Hesitantly, he responded, "Thanks."
She placed her hands on her hips, "I'm taking you seriously, Panda. Is it too much to ask for the same?"
Po closed his eyes and took a deep breath. At this point, he knew lying to her would be in vain. Tigress always knew when he was lying. Even one that didn't know him. "I've . . . always been an easy book to read." He opened his eyes and sighed, "I've never been good at keeping secrets."
She scoffed, "I can tell."
"Tigress." He chuckled a bit to himself, "Look. Everything that has happened in this room . . . If I win it has to stay between us. No one can know."
"I'm good to my word, Panda."
Po nodded, "I know."
The panda closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He dug deep inside, searching for his harmony and peace, but it squirmed away from him. It twisted in his grasp, causing turmoil and dissent. He clasped his mind around it, forcing it to bubble at the surface. His eyes opened, now a faded green.
His body ached and he caught his breath, finding it hard to breath. Something was wrong with his inner peace.
Po held onto it, forcing his senses into overdrive.
"Your eyes . . ." Tigress stared at him for a few seconds, as if she was trying to place what exactly Po had just done. She dashed forward and Po wasn't sure if she had figured out what he was doing or not.
With his heightened senses and his knowledge of Tigress's fighting technique, he could almost feel what Tigress was going to do before she did. When she attacked, he twisted his body of the way. The tiger turned and continued her assault. Po simply dodged all of her strikes, ducking, twisting, and titling his body to stay untouched. Tigress's eyes widened and she twisted her own body, sending a high kick for his keck. Po's arm shot up and her grabbed her leg. "Inner Peace," Tigress was astonished, "That's Inner Peace."
Po let go of her leg and she retracted, hopping a few times on one foot to gain some set her other foot down slowly, eyeing him. "There's only two ways to achieve inner peace. Meditating for years without much substance." She eyed his stomach, "Somehow I don't think that's how you did it."
Po smiled, "No."
She frowned, her ears flattening against her skull. "How?"
Po's shoulders sank. Her eyes were speaking a different question. Who? "That's . . . not part of the deal."
She nodded, but her body hang as limp as his did. They both knew the fight was over. Po took a deep breath let his Inner Peace fade, giving himself a chance to breathe, but there was a lingering pain. In his lungs, muscles, and head. He had become sore. "I will keep your secret."
Po nodded, but couldn't help but notice her eyes were seeded with a burning question. In a rare moment, the universe called out to him, telling him to answer it. He hesitated as Tigress turned around to leave. "Ask."
She turned around, a confused smile sprouting across her lips. "Not part of the deal."
Po chuckled, "I know."
She nodded, "Your family. Do they know?"
Po thought of his father, oblivious to his scars and dreams. He thought of his other father, not even knowing he was alive. He looked her in the eye. Tigress, whom he knew, but she no longer knew. His family, the three of them, all ignorant to who he was. "No. I don't think so."