Chapter 4 : Advice

Master Shifu closed his eyes and kept trying to make a connection with Master Oogway. It had been three hours since he started meditating, but he hadn't gotten any sign that he succeeded.

'I have to keep trying'

He inhaled and exhaled slowly.

'Master Oogway. Can you hear me?' Master Shifu spoke without saying, hoping it could be heard by his tortoise master.

"Master Shifu!"

Po slammed the door opened. His voice was loud enough to break the concentration of that red panda.

"My God. Po. Can you stop acting that way?!" Master Shifu snapped in annoyance.

"I'm sorry, Master. But I think you should see this."

Master Shifu took a second glance at Po. That panda was carrying someone on his back. A tiger, but it wasn't Tigress.

"Po. Who is he?"

"I don't know, Master. The Furious Five and I found him attacked by five wolves that were trying to rob him. I think he's still alive."

Master Shifu took a look at that tiger. His robe was made from silk and it seemed expensive. "He doesn't belong here."

"I guess so. No one knows who he is but surely he comes from a noble family."

'I knew it,' thought Master Shifu. 'This tiger isn't a commoner. He could be a prince or one of royal blood. I have not seen another Tiger aside Tigress. Wait a minute—could this tiger be—'

"Master Shifu?" asked Po.

'There was a legend Master Oogway once told me about fighting between Long and Khan. He told me that all tigers in China lived and ended in a hidden place called Darkest Land since the battle. Perhaps—'

"Master Shifu?"

'Perhaps this tiger is from there. Yes, it's doubtless. But what is he doing in here? Oh no—impossible. The legend is true.'

"MASTER SHIFU!"

Like getting out of bee sting, Master Shifu realized Po was calling his name. "Yes, Po?"

"Ow... what happened to you? You look worried."

"I was just thinking about something. Where are the five?"

"They are in the kitchen, making a potion and preparing food for this helpless tiger."

"Bring him to your room Po. I'll meet all of you later."

"Alright, Master."

Master Shifu turned away and stared around the hall.

'Nothing we can do when fate is talking. Oh, Master Oogway. Please help me. I can't tell them about this. Should I tell Tigress that she is the reincarnation of Khan? Should I tell Po that he is destined to defeat her?'

No answer

~TLoTDaTT~

"Look!" Monkey exclaimed happily. "He's awake!"

"Shh... keep your voice down," Viper hissed.

Prince Yuan Sheng opened his eyes slowly and found himself in a small room.

'How did I get in here?' he thought.

"Hello. Are you feeling better?" a voice greeted him cheerfully.

Yuan Shen scrutinized around. He was surrounded by five figures he didn't know.

"Who are you?" Yuan Sheng asked, rather demanding them to answer.

"Woow... I wasn't expecting that to be your first question," Po replied. "Don't you wonder where you are or how you got in here?"

"I order you to answer my question!" Yuan Sheng ordered in high tone. "Who are you?!"

"That is not a good start for introductions but well—we are your saviors."

"You saved me?"

"Yeah. That's right, Buddy. Are you feeling better now? You seemed so weak when we found you."

Prince Yuan Sheng tried to remember what had happened to him.

"Where am I?"

"You're in The Valley of Peace," Mantis answered.

"Valley of Peace?"

"Hey. Are you a wanderer?" Po asked again. "or... are you lost or something? I don't think you are from around here."

"That's true," Yuan Sheng replied confidently as he was feeling better. "I don't belong here and I'm not a commoner just like you are," Yuan Sheng pointed at himself. "I am Prince Yuan Sheng. Son of Emperor Tiger from Khan Palace in Darknest Land."

Po thought about something. "Mmm... Dark ...nest ...Land ... Does it look like a nest or an island? I've never heard of Khan Palace before. Surely it's located far away from here."

"Hey. You said you come from Khan Palace, didn't you?" Viper asked. "is people in there just like you—I mean—tigers like yourself?"

"Of course. We have been living in there since over thousands of years ago without ever venturing out as far as I did."

"You mean all tigers do belong there?"

"True. We're the strongest creatures in this world."

"The strongest, huh?" Monkey mumbled mockingly. "Does the strongest creature like you always get beaten up easily by only five wolves?"

"I could have retaliated if you hadn't interfered. If only you came to see it instead, you would have seen me defeat them with only one punch." Yuan Sheng lied.

"Oh… but we saw you unconscious when that was happening. How could you manage to attack those five bandits?"

"Ah... forget about it." Yuan Sheng tried to change the subject. "Anyway, you now know who I really am. I'm in a higher class than you are and you should serve me with respect."

"Excuse me?" Po asked in disbelief. He felt curious as to why this prince wanted to be served by them. "We don't look at you as a prince and you're nothing to us except as a victim needing help. Besides, we haven't even heard you say a simple 'Thank you' to us for helping you."

"A prince isn't suppose to say 'thank you' to commoners."

"And a prince with a good attitude always knows to thank someone that has helped him."

"I never asked for your help."

Po was annoyed at the male tiger. He wondered if people of high ranks always act all high and mighty like that.

The door opened. Tigress came in as she brought a bowl in her paw.

"I just finished making this—oohh—" she realized Prince Yuan Sheng had woken up.

For a moment, the two tigers just stared. For Tigress, it was the first time she had seen a tiger beside herself. She admitted it was very surprising. Prince Yuan Sheng felt the same. Surprised, but not like Tigress. He was surprised because he knew he'd just found the person he was looking for. There were only three tigers missing from Darknest Land twenty five years ago; a husband, a wife and a daughter. And this young female tiger must be the daughter.

Tigress put down the bowl on the table. Actually, she wanted to ask Yuan Sheng everything about tigers; Are there many tigers out there like himself; Where did they live; Why had they never be seen before, etc. But she tried to keep it since she knew it was not in the right time.

"Well," she said. "I see you are well."

Yuan Sheng only stared at her.

"I'm going now," she turned to Po. "Take care of him Po. He still needs your help."

"Don't worry about it, Tigress. You can count on me. You really know who I am, right?"

Tigress didn't say anything. She turned and left the room.

"Is she your friend?" asked Prince Yuan Sheng.

"Currently? Yes." answered Po, but then pondered. "Well, not really. We're more like besties."

"How old is she?"

"We don't know exactly. Maybe it's about twenty five. I don't know. Our master, Master Shifu, adopted her from an orphanage when she was a kid."

'From an orphanage?' those words gave a clue to Yuan Sheng. 'She must be the reincarnation of Khan. My search isn't useless after all. She probably doesn't know who she really is, but that's not a problem. What I need now is to find a way to take her back to Darknest Land.'

"What are you thinking about?" Crane asked. "Are you up for something?"

"None of your business, Commoner!"

Po was mad when he heard Yuan Sheng talking that way.

"Hey listen to me." Po jumped in. "Can't you just be polite to your rescuers? Beside, we're not commoners in this valley. We're legendary warriors. They four, " Po pointed at his friends, "and the tigress you've just seen are known as The Furious Five. And me, "Po pointed at himself" I'm The Legendary Dragon Warrior."

'Wait a second. WHAT?!' Yuan Sheng was shocked. 'Dragon Warrior?' He had been told that the Dragon Warrior was black and white but what he didn't expect was that it would actually be a panda. And said panda was standing right in front of him. Things were moving too fast, way too fast. Deep down he knew that someday, he would meet the Dragon Warrior after finding the reincarnation of Khan, but surely not as soon as this?

He was at a total loss on what to do. Especially when he realized that instead of hating each other as legend had told, they were friends. Furthermore, that panda said they're more than just friends.

"Why?" Po asked. "Surprised? Well—not only you. Everybody is always surprised when they find out that I am the Dragon Warrior. They thought it would be impossible for a big fat panda like me."

The door opened again. This time, Shifu entered the room.

"How is he?" Master Shifu asked.

"He's fine." replied Crane.

"Good. You five may go. I want to talk to our visitor."

Po and others nodded before leaving.

"I know you're up to something." Master Shifu said coldly after his students were gone. "You came to this valley with a purpose."

Yuan Sheng folded his arms. "You seem the wisest here. You must know who I really am."

"I know you. You're a tiger from Darknest Land. My master told me about it. Including about what the most desired by all tigers after waiting for one thousand years."

"Then you must have known what I want."

"I know exactly what you want and I'll tell you it's impossible. You won't get anything."

Yuan Sheng chuckled as he stood up. "Looks like you're afraid to know that China's future is in your students' hands."

"I'm afraid of nothing as long as they're with me."

"Really? Then you're wrong cause one of them will no longer with you. You –know- what- I- mean?"

"I'm not born yesterday. You've travelled all of China just to find her."

"I've just already found what I'm looking for. What I totally didn't expect is to find the Dragon Warrior as well. It's way too soon, but it's a good sign."

Master Shifu was conflicted. He wanted to get rid of the tiger from the palace immediately, but he knew that if he did that, it would lead to suspicion from his students.

"Listen to me closely," Master Shifu threatened quietly. "I advise you to get out of here as soon as possible. If not, you'll regret that you've come here. UNDERSTAND?!"

"Too bad, but I will go nowhere until I take her with me just like what has been instructed by my father."

"It's her that will go to nowhere and you can't do anything about it."

"Actually, I can. I can tell them everything, who they really are, what they're meant to be, what their destiny is. Hmmm..." the prince tilted his head. "I wonder what will happen if I do that. Maybe the master knows?"

"They won't believe it. They will never believe anything you say. Keep that in mind!"

"Oh... they won't. But I'm sure they would if they hear it from yourself."

"Ha...ha...ha... Very funny. You think I will tell them about it?"

"Why not? Look behind you." Yuan Sheng gestured to the door.

Master Shifu did turn around. That's when he realized that the door was slightly opened. What he noticed however, was a panda-shape shadow standing there, peeking in through the crack of the door.

"PANDA!" Master Shifu shouted.

Slowly, the door was creaked open. Po was rooted on the spot, a guilty look on his face. "Master Shifu." He spoke in low voice.

"Are you eavesdropping?!"

"I didn't mean to do that. It's just, I've just forgot something. When I was about to come in, I heard you yelled. But I swear I didn't hear anything."

Master Shifu walked slowly to him. "Are you sure you didn't hear anything?"

"Uhm...actually, only a little. But I didn't understand it. You sounded like you were talking about someone. Mmm.. will you to tell me, Master?"

"Better that you don't know anything at all." Master Shifu said as he walked past Po.

Po stared at Yuan Sheng. "What happened?"

"Trust me, it's something I want to tell you, but you won't believe it anyway. You better just ask your master." Yuan Sheng said wryly

Master Shifu returned to Hall of Warriors. It was quiet and peaceful, but not so in the panda master's mind. When he entered, his thoughts were in turmoil. Feelings of confusion, anger and devastation were threatening to overwhelm him.

"Master Oogway," Master Shifu begged. "please, speak to me. I need your help." He kneeled down as he dropped his staff. "I don't want to lose any of them. Not anymore. Please, Master. Guide me."

There still was no respond.

Master Shifu picked up his staff and rubbed it in despair.

"Shifu..."

A voice. A really soft voice.

"Master Oogway? Is that you?" he asked in shock. "Master. You can hear me?"

"I can always hear you, Shifu."

Master Shifu was ecstatic. "Master. I...I'm glad I finally can communicate with you. I...I need your help, Master."

There was a chuckle. "You can solve your problems, Shifu. You are the Grand Master. The decision is in your hands. It is one of your responsibilities."

"What should I do, Master?"

"Do the right thing. A true Grand Master will not hide anything from anyone."

"That is impossible, Master. They...they will not able to face the reality. I cannot imagine what will happen if they know."

"As long as you're their guide, there is nothing you need to worry about. Do it, Shifu. Do it..."

"Master. I..."

"Do it... do it... do it..." Master Oogway's voice receded into nothing.

"Master Oogway…" Shifu called sadly. He knew the connection was over for now, but he understood what his master had told him. He knew what to do now.

He stood up firmly, clutching his staff and took a deep breath.

"I'll tell them the truth. I hope I've chosen the right choice."