Author's note: Here's chapter 2! I try to give everycharacter a chance to have a part in each chapter, but this is going to essentially be a Po and Tigress centric story -Not a romance! I think that while they care for each other as friends, and have their adoption in common, they are too different to become romantically involved.
I don't own the classic characters of Kung Fu Panda- only the original ones in this story.
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It had been almost a year since the defeat of Lord Shen, and The Valley of peace had been living up to its name, more or less. There had been trouble with bandits and rival cities, or Po messing up and unleashing a dangerous power, but everything always worked out in the end.
Everything continued as usual, and when the sun rose on this particular day, there was nothing to suggest that Po's world, as well as others' were about to be turned upside down.
"Hi-ya!" Viper knocked down her final target, landing lightly in the middle of the courtyard, bowing gracefully.
"Woah, Viper that was totally awesome!" Po cheered.
Tigress frowned. They were supposed to be critiquing each other's technique. Shifu wanted them to be able to asses each other more often.
"I think you need to work more on hiding your attacks," Crane told Viper. "A few times, I could see you telegraphing what you were about to do."
Viper bowed to accept the advice calmly.
"I noticed you hesitating a couple of times," Tigress voiced her observation thoughtfully. "While it's good to analyse, you can't let your opponent have time to regroup and attack."
"Yeah," Mantis agreed. "You're too nice, Viper."
"What's wrong with that?" Po asked. "You can still defeat an opponent without causing them permanent damage. That's what having control is all about. You were great, Viper."
"Po," Tigress sighed. "Shifu told us to critique each other. And while Viper is good, there is always something to improve on."
"But Viper is nice, that's who she is," Po objected. "And I don't understand why you're telling her that she has to change that part of herself to be better. Kung Fu is about 'excellence of self', but if you have to change who you are to be excellent, then you're not being the best that you can be, you're being the best that…someone else can be."
"But if you change who you are," Monkey interjected, "then you're becoming a new version of yourself, so it's still you."
"Aaah!" Po gripped his head in frustration. "You're not getting it!"
"No," Tigress countered, "you're not getting it."
"Actually," a voice said, "I think you're all getting it."
The Masters turned towards the doors of the Jade Palace to find Master Shifu standing behind them, Oogway's staff in hand. He'd been observing his students for some time and decided to let his presence be known.
All six of the Masters bowed in respect.
"Master Shifu," They greeted.
"Morning Master," Po continued. "But, uh, what do you mean: we're all getting it?"
"Yeah, we were arguing," Mantis added.
Shifu calmly came forward, his robes swishing slightly on the stone steps.
"The reason I asked you to take more control of assessing each other, was so that you could each gain knowledge from each other, and as such, develop more yourselves." Shifu explained. "By discussing the feedback you give each other, not only are you each gaining knowledge on what you have to improve on, but you are also gaining a new perspective on what Kung Fu means to each of you."
Po stared. "So…" he began, "you got us to assess our Kung Fu, so that we would end up arguing about Kung Fu, as a way to learn more about Kung Fu?"
"In a nutshell," Shifu granted.
"That's cool," Po stated.
"Master Shifu!" Zang flew over the Palace walls in a flurry of feathers. "I have a message from Master Bunny."
"Master Bunny?" Po repeated as Shifu accepted the letter, and the Furious Five braced themselves for a Po fan-rant.
"Master Bunny was the first women to gain a position on the Master's council!" Po gushed. "She studied with Master Oogway himself, under the guise of a man, thinking that she wouldn't be accepted otherwise, but Oogway saw who she really was and trained her anyway, believing that Kung Fu should be open to anyone who wanted to learn. When she gained the rank of Master, she revealed her true identity to everybody else and was shunned by her family, but still went on to form a Kung Fu school open to girls, so that they could learn, revolutionising Kung Fu forever."
"She trained with you, didn't she, Master Shifu?" Tigress asked.
"Yes," Shifu answered. "Oogway accepted her as a student not long after I pledged myself to Kung Fu."
"What was it like, training with a girl back in those days?" Po asked curiously, not noticing Viper and Tigress turn their gaze on him, unsure if he was implying an insult or not.
"Much like you find training with Tigress and Viper, I assume," Shifu answered, calmly. "Now, you must all clean up the courtyard. Master Bunny is on her way here. She says she has an urgent message for you, Dragon Warrior, which she would like to deliver personally."
"Master Bunny wants to talk to me?" Po froze for a moment before rushing around the courtyard, picking up stray weapons and broken wood.
"Come on, guys," he called out, "we've gotta clean up!"
"Never mind that it's been his job to clean up all week," Tigress muttered before she and the others leaped into action and in a short time, the courtyard was spotless.
As the main gate was unbolted, Po could barely contain his excitement as Shifu and his students lined up to greet the visiting Master.
"I can't believe Master Bunny is coming to the Jade Palace to see me!" The panda gushed. "I wonder what she wants?"
"Why don't you just wait for the gate to open and she'll tell you herself," Tigress hissed out of the corner of her mouth.
Finally, the heavy gate was opened to reveal a bunny a little younger than Shifu, dressed in white and green robes.
"Announcing: Master Bunny, from the Silver Palace!"
Shifu and the six Masters bowed in greeting.
"Welcome to the Jade Palace, Master Bunny," Shifu greeted formally.
"Thank you for accepting me at such short notice, Master Shifu," Master Bunny said graciously as she entered the grounds. "It's good to see you again." She bowed to her old friend and former training companion.
"And you," Shifu bowed.
Master Bunny then turned to his students.
"The Furious Five, and the Dragon Warrior," she greeted. "The six of you are possibly the most famous Kung Fu Warriors in China at the moment, after your defeat of Lord Shen." Moving slowly along the line of students, she addressed them each in turn.
"Master Monkey: Tales of your speed and skill have travelled even to my home at the Silver Palace, and several of my students have you as their inspiration when working on their more acrobatic skills."
"Thank you, Master Bunny," Monkey bowed. "It is an honour to be able to help inspire others in Kung Fu."
"Master Crane: Your skills and grace with deflection are the epitome of a Martial Art, for you truly make every move not only precise and deadly, but beautiful as well."
"Thank you Master Bunny." Crane bowed. "I'm honoured that you think so highly of me."
"Master Mantis." Master Bunny continued. "You will always be a reminder that everyone who practices Martial Arts has the advantage in a battle, no matter their size. The difference is, that the winner knows their advantage and uses it to its fullest extent. And you clearly do just that."
"Thank you Master Bunny," Mantis bowed.
"Master Viper: I offered you a place at my school, and yet you chose to come to the Jade Palace." She smiled. "I can understand. Shifu is a very good teacher, you are clearly a credit to him."
"Thank you, Master Bunny." Viper bowed.
Bunny turned to Tigress.
"Master Tigress: yet another student I offered to teach at my school, and chose to be with Shifu." She smiled. "You and Viper are quite possibly the most famous at my school, and inspire my students to be the best they can be." Master Bunny turned to look at Shifu. "You have clearly taught your students well, Shifu."
"Thank you, Master Bunny," Shifu bowed. "I am indeed, very proud of them all."
Tigress bowed to Master Bunny.
"Thank you, Master." She said, standing up a little taller. "I am proud to be a credit to my teacher."
"You certainly are that, Tigress," Master Bunny granted. Tigress bowed once more.
Finally, Master Bunny came to stand before Po.
"Ah, the reason for my visit," Master Bunny smiled. "The Dragon Warrior himself. Your ability to learn Kung Fu so quickly has made you an inspiration, and your victory in defeating Tai Lung and Lord Shen has travelled all across China, to even the most isolated villages in the land."
"Wow, really?" Po asked, before remembering his manners and bowing. "Thank you, Master Bunny. And may I say, you're a real inspiration yourself. The way you infiltrated the Assassin's League to take down the whole organisation and saved the Emperor's life was totally amazing! You changed the way China viewed Kung Fu and showed the world that girls can kick butt!"
One of Master Bunny's ears twitched, and she turned her gaze to Shifu, who sighed.
"Yes, he's always like this," Shifu explained.
"Well," Master Bunny turned back to Po, "Then it is time I say what I came to tell you, Dragon Warrior. I have just recently discovered something which, I imagine, would be of great interest to you."
"What is it?" Po asked. "Is there a new Kung Fu exhibit opening in the museum or something?"
Master Bunny shook her head, and Shifu was impressed that she didn't roll her eyes. "Would you prefer to speak in private?"
"Oh no, I've got no secrets from these guys," Po assured Master Bunny.
"Very well," Master Bunny granted. "I travel very often to outlying villages, searching for those with a talent for learning martial arts, who would otherwise miss the opportunity to learn, and recently, I came across a village that I had never seen or heard of before."
"A mysterious hidden village?" Po repeated. This sounded interesting, but Po didn't get why Master Bunny would think this would be for him, specifically.
"You know the prophesy that the Soothsayer gave to Lord Shen, yes?" Master Bunny continued carefully.
"Yeah," Po answered slowly. "She predicted that a Panda would stand between Shen and his destiny, so Shen set out to kill all the Pandas."
"Well, he did not succeed," Master Bunny told Po.
"No, he didn't!" The Dragon Warrior leapt into fighting position. "For one Panda survived to become the Dragon Warrior and Defeat Lord Shen!"
Master Bunny smiled.
"Actually, there were quite a few more than just one Panda," she said casually.
In the middle of doing a couple of punches, Po registered what Master Bunny said, and promptly fell over.
"What did you just say?" He asked, scrabbling to his feet.
Master Bunny bounced lightly on the balls of her feet.
"More than one Panda survived Lord Shen's attack." She repeated, a smile tugging at her mouth. "The hidden village I found…was a village full of Pandas."
"A village full of…" Po's voice trailed off as he sat down in shock, his five friends and his teacher staring at Master Bunny with wide eyes.
"And even there, they heard of your defeat of Lord Shen," Master Bunny continued. "Their own Soothsayer saw it in a vision he had. And I was able to add to your story, about how you became the Dragon warrior and defeated Tai Lung, protecting the Valley of Peace. I immediately offered to send you word of their existence, as I'm sure you would be happy to hear that your village lives on, and your family still live."
"My family?" Po shot to his feet once more. "I have family?"
"Yes," Master Bunny, smiled as she pulled a scroll from a pocket of her robe. "Your father and cousin survived Lord Shen's attack, and they asked me to give you this. It is for your eyes only, Dragon Warrior."
"Woah," Po whispered taking the scroll reverently. "I have a father and cousin somewhere?"
"The village lies on the other side of the Mysterious Mountains," Master Bunny told him.
"The Mysterious Mountains?" Crane piped up, as Po was still focused on the scroll in his hands. "It's supposed to be impossible to get through those. That's why they're called 'The Mysterious Mountains."
"And that's most likely why the Panda Village has been kept hidden and safe, all these years," Master Bunny granted, before turning back to Po. "Master Oogway always said that everything happens for a reason. That there are no accidents." Po looked slowly up from the scroll to meet the Master's wise and kind eyes. "I think I found the village for a reason- to tell you that it exists. I believe that, with the defeat of Lord Shen, it is now safe for your brethren to rejoin the world, and for you to lead them back."
Po closed his hands tightly around the scroll he held, before bringing it to his chest, as if afraid someone will take it from him.
Seeing that the panda was clearly overwhelmed, Master Bunny thought that he had had enough news for one day, and deserved time alone to read the letter.
"My promise to the pandas is fulfilled," she said as she straightened up. "It is time I return to the Silver Palace."
"Wait!" Po snapped out of his reverie. "You can't leave now! You've actually been to the village! You saw Pandas, like me! I have so many questions!"
Master Bunny smiled.
"Why ask me the questions, when you can go to the village and ask your brethren yourself?" She asked, handing over a second scroll.
"This map will show you the route we took to get through the mountains, and to the Panda village."
Po accepted the second scroll carefully.
"Thank you, Master Bunny," Po's voice shook slightly as he bowed low.
Bunny bowed back, before bowing to each of the five in turn. Bowing one last time to Shifu, Master Bunny took her leave.
Po stood frozen in the courtyard once the gate was closed, staring down at the two scrolls in his hands.
"Po?" Tigress ventured cautiously.
The Panda turned around to look at his friends.
"There's a Panda village on the other side of the Mysterious Mountains." He told them. "You guys heard that too, right?"
"Yes, Po," Tigress confirmed. "We heard it."
"Your father is still alive," Viper added. "And you have a cousin."
Po looked down at the two scrolls in his hands. Turning quickly to Master Shifu, he bowed.
"Master Shifu, I request permission to go to the Panda village." He asked formally, determined to show Shifu how much this trip meant to him.
But he needn't have worried.
"Of course you may go, Po." Shifu granted. "I realize this is very important for you. For all of us. History tells us that Shen killed all the pandas, and now we have proof that he didn't. The history books shall be re written."
Po grinned and turned to his friends.
"You guys are coming too, right?"
Tigress was surprised. "Are you sure you want us to come?" She asked, not wanting to get in the way of something so important. She knew she would do almost anything to find answers as to why she was left so long ago at the Baogong Orphanage, and didn't want to risk ruining this for her friend.
"Of course I want you guys to come!" Po exclaimed, beginning to burst with all the energy that was building inside him. "This is probably the biggest thing that's ever happened to me since becoming the Dragon Warrior and beating Shen! And both times, you guys were there. I can't do this on my own."
Looking down once more at the scrolls which he had yet to open, Po looked up to see his friends standing around him.
"Then we will come with you," Tigress vowed.
Po could feel the excitement and anticipation filling him to bursting point.
"All right!" He cheered. "Kung Fu road trip!"
"Uh, Po?" Viper put forward gently, "what about Mr Ping?"
Po froze.
"Oh my gosh. Dad! What's he gonna say when he finds out I'm gonna go meet my dad? Woah," Po swayed slightly on the spot as the reality appeared to hit him.
"I have two dads."
"And a cousin," Monkey added.
Po sat heavily on the ground. He had two dads…
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Down in the village, Mr Ping's Noodle Shop was running business as usual. Mr Ping was rushing around his kitchen, making noodles, chopping vegetables and delivering dishes to his customers.
Outside his kitchen, he heard an excited murmur.
"The Dragon Warrior!"
"Po!" Mr Ping dropped his knife and ran outside where he greeted his son joyously. "Good morning son! What brings you here?"
"Morning dad," Po began, seeming awkward. "Uh, can I talk to you for a minute?"
"Of course, son." Mr Ping led his boy back into the kitchen where they could talk while he worked.
"It's good to see you son," Mr Ping hugged his boy before returning to work.
"Good to see you too, dad," Po said. "Listen, I can't stay long. The guys and I are about to start a journey to a village in the Mysterious Mountains."
"The Mysterious Mountains?" Mr Ping repeated, "Why do you have to go there?"
"Well, that's kind of what I need to talk to you about." Po answered, taking a breath. "You see, Master Bunny visited the Jade Palace this morning, and she told us that she found a hidden village in the Mysterious Mountains."
"Uh-huh," Mr Ping commented as he chopped.
"And she said that the village was filled with pandas," Po finished.
THUD.
Mr Ping dropped his heavy chopping knife onto the wooden board in shock.
"What?"
"A whole village, dad. Filled with pandas, just like me." Po came forward. "And that's not all: Apparently…my birth father survived Shen's attack."
Mr Ping began to shake. Not again…he couldn't lose his son again…
Po kneeled down to look his father in the eyes.
"I'm your son, dad. And I always will be." Po told him. "But I have a birth father too. He and my mother risked their lives to save me from Shen's attack. I have to meet him, and the other pandas. I owe them that, at least."
Mr Ping rushed forward to embrace his son.
"But I don't want to lose you again," he told his son, his voice cracking slightly with fear.
He felt Po's strong arms encircling him, returning the hug.
"You'll never lose me, dad." Po promised. "You raised me. I'll always be your son."
"Po?" Tigress called from outside.
"I've gotta go, dad." Po excused himself. "I'll be back soon, I promise!"
As he watched his son race outside, Mr Ping followed, standing outside his restaurant, he watched his son, the Dragon Warrior, run away from him until he was out of sight.
"I miss you, son," Mr Ping whispered. "Please come back."
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The six warriors followed the map that Master Bunny had given them, and they travelled for days, through cities, forests and canyons until they were finally within sight of the Mysterious Mountains, which stood resolutely in the distance, covered by a constant cloud of mist, so that no one could ever see how tall they really were.
Po stared at the mountains that loomed ahead of them. On the other side of those mountains were pandas. They were the people he could have grown up with. He'll get to meet his cousin, his dad…and finally get the answers to all the questions that he could never get the answers to.
That night, while his friends were asleep, Po sat beside the camp fire, holding the scroll that contained his father's letter.
He still hadn't read it. He wanted to. He soooo wanted to read it. But…
"Why haven't you read your letter yet?"
Po jumped, covering his mouth to suppress a startled cry.
"Apologies," Tigress sat up carefully. "I didn't mean to startle you."
"No, it's okay," Po told his friend.
"So," Tigress prompted, leaning forward. "Why haven't you read your father's letter yet?"
Po swallowed. Tigress had been adopted by Shifu, he reminded himself. If any one of his friends could understand, she could.
He sighed.
"I'm afraid to read it." He admitted.
"Afraid?" Tigress queried.
"I really want to read it," Po admitted. "I so want to read it. I mean, this is my biological father, the guy who risked his life to try and protect me from Lord Shen's attack when I was a baby. That must mean he loves me, right?"
Tigress nodded, not wanting to interrupt.
"But…" Po looked down at the scroll in his hands. "Why didn't he come back with Master Bunny to meet me himself? Why send a letter? Does he have responsibilities at the village? Did he get remarried? Why didn't he try to find me sooner?"
"I'm sure the answers to those questions will be either in that letter, or in the village," Tigress told him surely.
Po looked up at his friend. They saw Kung Fu completely differently, yet this one major thing they had in common: They were both adopted, and both wanted answers as to why.
"What would you do, Tigress?" Po asked.
Tigress looked into the flickering flames of the fire, thinking.
"I would read the letter," she told him. "For any answer, finally, would be better than forever wondering about questions."
Po smiled slightly before nodding.
"Thanks Tigress."
Taking a breath, Po pulled the scroll open and began reading.
Tigress settled back down on the ground, turning her back to the fire to give her friend what privacy she could.
"Goodnight Po," she said, before closing her eyes.
As she drifted off to sleep to the sound of the crackling fire, she began to wonder, yet again, about her biological family.
What would she do, if she ever got the chance to meet them?
As Tigress turned away to give him space, Po's eyes scanned the words etched onto the parchment scroll.
'My dearest son,
It gladdens my heart to finally find that you are alive and well. When Lord Shen attacked, I told your mother to take you and run. When she was found dead the following day, I feared the worst for you.
But now, Master Bunny has informed us that you are alive and well, and I saw a vision of you myself, defeating Lord Shen as the prophesy foretold. For many years we lived in fear that, if any of us left our new home, that Lord Shen would rise to strike us down once more.
But now that the threat of Shen is over, the universe has granted us this wondrous chance, and I would love for you to come to our village, and meet those who would have been your family and friends, had you grown up as one of us.
Every day I thank the universe for delivering you to safety, and I thank whichever kind family took you in, and opened their home and hearts to you.
I'm sure you have many questions, my son. As do I. And I look forward to speaking with you and having the opportunity to ask and answer all of them.
I gave Master Bunny permission to reveal the location of our village to you. Please come to our village, son. I look forward to seeing the baby son I lost long ago, as the strong warrior with a brave heart, that you have grown into.
Your Father,
Xi-Wong.'
"Xi-Wong," Po whispered, wiping the tears trailing down his face. 'My father's name is Xi-Wong.'
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Author's note: What do you think? I hope you like Master Bunny! I'm not sure about the rules of women learning Kung Fu through history, but so far Tigress and Viper are the only official female Kung Fu practitioners I've seen. All the Masters that Po raves about have all been male, as far as I know. I know the Wu sisters were in the 'legends of the Masters' but they were criminals, not Masters, so could have learned 'illegally'?
I'm not sure, but I do know that in Ancient China women were forbidden to enter the army (yes, I did base Master Bunny's story around Mulan- I love that movie!) so I assume that allowing women to train in Kung Fu is only a recent development in the Kung Fu Panda world.
Thoughts? Comments? Queries?
Please review.